Authentic Italian Recipes

Looking for authentic Italian recipes? Allrecipes has more than 640 trusted authentic Italian recipes complete with ratings, reviews and cooking tips.

Staff Picks

Mid-Summer Italian Bread Salad

Rating: 4.56 stars
158
Everything in this salad is fresh, except the bread! Prepare this salad by using a loaf of artisan bread or rosemary bread that is a touch stale. If your bread is too fresh, toast it until it is about half as dried and crunchy as a crouton.
By Tamara

Fresh Sardines Naples Style

Rating: 3.8 stars
6
Fresh sardines are fried to a crispy golden brown, and drizzled with a garlic and white wine vinaigrette then topped off with a sprinkling of fresh mint leaves. Serve this appetizer with a good white wine.
By Salvatore

Ciabatta

Rating: 4.55 stars
231
Take five minutes today to make the starter, also called sponge, and tomorrow you can bake two loaves of this marvelous, slightly sour, rustic Italian bread that has a hearty crust.
By Benoit Hogue

Traditional Osso Buco

Rating: 4.61 stars
168
This recipe is a traditional but simple way of cooking Osso Buco (veal shanks). The white wine is a must in this dish.
By PICKLEDPOSSUM

Calamari

Rating: 4.49 stars
153
This is a delicious, very easy, quick but moderately expensive recipe. Everyone I've ever fixed it for absolutely loves it!
By bluebayou

Mostaccioli Mosta

Rating: 4.28 stars
31
The black olives make this dish a little different from other red pasta dishes.
By Jill M.

Lasagne Verdi al Forno

Rating: 4.63 stars
46
A recipe from my home in Emilia-Romagna, Italy; this lasagna made with spinach pasta cannot be beat. It's excellent if you want to impress some guests, or even yourself. It may be a bit time consuming, but it's well worth the TLC you put into it.
By Arianna

Italian Anisette Cookies

Rating: 4.46 stars
143
Old Italian recipe.
By Heather

Pan-Fried Asparagus

Rating: 4.61 stars
1185
This garlic asparagus dish is a Northern Italian side dish. My family loves it! Even the kids!
By Kim

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Rating: 4.69 stars
317
No two spaghetti aglio e olio recipes are alike, but this one is pretty true to the classic method. The key is slowly toasting the garlic slices to a perfect golden-brown in the olive oil. If it's too light, you don't get the full flavor and if it's too dark it gets bitter. My advice? Do it perfectly.
By Chef John

Ricotta Pie (Old Italian Recipe)

Rating: 4.44 stars
69
This is an old Italian recipe for a pie with a sweet crust--just like from the old country. My in-laws are Italian and they say that this is the best pie. It is always requested for Christmas. Mini chocolate bits and lemon rind can be mixed into the batter.
By Misty

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe (Roman Sheep Herder's Pasta)

Rating: 4.65 stars
14
This peasant food comes from Roman sheep herders who had little time and money to spend on eating. They used their sheep's cheese and a bit of the water that cooked the pasta to create a cream, then added black pepper to give it some extra flavor. Cheap, easy, and fast: this was perfect for them and for us even today!
By Buckwheat Queen
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Inspiration and Ideas

Italian Leafy Green Salad

Italian Leafy Green Salad
Rating: Unrated
81
"This has become one of our favorites. I really enjoy the blend of lettuces and I often serve this salad with Italian meals." – JeanieMomof3
Our Best Sicilian Recipes

Our Best Sicilian Recipes
Here's a collection of  top-rated Sicilian-inspired recipes that honor this long tradition and showcase the finest Sicilian ingredients.
Pasta Ai Fiori Di Zucca

Pasta Ai Fiori Di Zucca
Rating: Unrated
2
Chef John's Best Italian Recipes

Chef John's Best Italian Recipes
Italian Cream Cake II

Italian Cream Cake II
Rating: Unrated
170
Italian Recipes That Would Make Your Nonna Proud

Italian Recipes That Would Make Your Nonna Proud

Pasta Fazool (Pasta e Fagioli)

Rating: 4.77 stars
155

This classic Italian-American comfort food works with any kind of sausage, but I like the fennel and anise flavors of sweet Italian sausage with the beans--it's a hearty soup that's fast and easy to put together.

More Authentic Italian Recipes

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Rating: 4.69 stars
289
No two spaghetti aglio e olio recipes are alike, but this one is pretty true to the classic method. The key is slowly toasting the garlic slices to a perfect golden-brown in the olive oil. If it's too light, you don't get the full flavor and if it's too dark it gets bitter. My advice? Do it perfectly.
By Chef John

Sausage, Peppers, Onions, and Potato Bake

Rating: 4.63 stars
1105
This is an Italian comfort food classic! The smell of this cooking in my kitchen transports me back to playing on the street in front of my Papa and Gigi's house in Brooklyn. I make 2 trays of this for every family get-together, and it's gone in a flash!
By Beccabo73

Panna Cotta

Rating: 4.73 stars
332
A traditional, easy, and delicious Italian custard. I had a difficult time finding a good and easy recipe on the internet, so I made up my own recipe. It tastes just like the panna cotta served at Italian restaurants. Serve with warm hot fudge sauce and fresh raspberries on top. This keeps well for several days in the refrigerator.
By CHERYLA33

Gelato

Rating: 4.62 stars
89
Basic Gelato Recipe...from my Italian mother-in-law. This recipe may be used as a base for your favorite flavors. Try adding vanilla, shaved chocolate or your favorite fruits. Experiment with desired flavors!
By OSTAFF1

Italian Wedding Soup I

Rating: 4.61 stars
744
Coming from Rhode Island, a very ethnic state, this soup was traditionally served at Italian weddings. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
By Star Pooley

Biscotti

Rating: 4.67 stars
889
This is a simple, no frills biscotti. My friend at work gave this recipe to me. It's quick, easy and one of my favorite Italian cookie recipes.
By JANDEE

Cannoli

Rating: 4.35 stars
107
Ana and Lydia's cannoli, recipe invented on July 31st, 2005. I spent a lot of time looking for a good recipe for cannoli shells and filling. Since no two were alike, and since instructions were a bit sketchy, I worked with a friend to come up with a good recipe, including some tips that we came up with along the way. Special equipment is needed such as cannoli tubes, a pasta machine and a pastry bag to help make these cannoli come out just like the ones at Italian restaurants and bakeries. Start with 1/2 cup of confectioners' sugar, and then add more to taste.
By Lydia Nacawa

Spinach Tomato Tortellini

Rating: 4.66 stars
1607
An old boyfriend's mother used to cook this for me whenever I ate over. Cheese tortellini are served in a creamy tomato and spinach sauce. I love it!
By LELA NORTON

Incredibly Delicious Italian Cream Cake

Rating: 4.53 stars
355
This is an old recipe from my aunt. It is both famous and infamous in our family. It is absolutely irresistible.
By Rory

Quick Chicken Piccata

Rating: 4.71 stars
1107
These quick and easy pan-fried chicken breasts are topped with a simple pan sauce made with capers, butter, white wine, and lemon juice.
By Chef John

Italian Cream Cheese and Ricotta Cheesecake

Rating: 4.72 stars
407
This is my grandmother's cheesecake recipe passed down to my entire family. It's the best. I can't believe I'm sharing it, but everyone needs to know how to make an authentic Italian cheesecake. It is creamy and not thick, which is why our family LOVES it! For best results, do NOT substitute any ingredients with low-fat unless you've made it before and want to experiment.
By April Caudle

Eggplant Caponata (Sicilian Version)

Rating: 4.88 stars
50
Delicious relish or appetizer that can be served hot or cold! Serve with toasted crusty bread.
By rocks_67

Pesto

Rating: 4.7 stars
715
Basic pesto, made with basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. This recipe differs from the classic preparation by the addition of parsley. You can add a little extra Parmesan to the mixture if you like.
By ANDERVAL

Italian Tomato Pie

Tomato pie has been sold by Iannelli's Bakery in Philadelphia since 1910. Tomato pie remains popular in Philadelphia where it is cut into long strips and called pizza strips, red bread, party pizza, strip pizza, or bakery pizza. It may be sprinkled with Romano cheese or oregano. It is not usually served straight from the oven, but allowed to cool and then consumed at room temperature or reheated. Like Sicilian pizza, tomato pie is baked in a large rectangular pan and served in square slices. It resembles the Italian sfincione.
By Michael Contakes

Spaghetti alla Carbonara: the Traditional Italian Recipe

Rating: 4.6 stars
54
This dish was created in the Lazio region (the area around Rome) in the middle of the 20th century, after World War Two. We don't use cream, milk, garlic, onions or other strange ingredients; we use only guanciale, eggs, pecorino cheese, and lots of black pepper (carbonaro is the Italian for coal miner). This isn't the Italian-American version, it's the real, creamy carbonara and it comes right from Italy, where I live. Buon appetito.
By ivan zeta

Kalamata Olive Tapenade

Rating: 4.62 stars
177
An olive tapenade without anchovies.
By TERESITA79

Hot Italian Giardiniera

Rating: 4.78 stars
202
This is Italian giardiniera. It is wonderful on Chicago style Italian beef sandwiches, sausage sandwiches, French dips, pastas or even as a pizza topping. You can even snack on it as is if you choose. Once you taste it you will figure out what you prefer to use it on.
By PHONETEK

Homemade Mozzarella Cheese

Rating: 4.67 stars
7
Think homemade mozzarella cheese is impossible to make? Think again! This recipe shows you how to make delicious mozzarella cheese from scratch. You can create any shape you desire - try larger balls, small balls, or twists and knots. Store in the refrigerator.
By ChefJackie

Pesto Delicato di Camogli

I discovered this recipe when on vacation in Camogli, Liguria in Italy. Traditional pesto without garlic is made in a pestle and mortar. This raw sauce is tossed with fresh green beans cooked with fresh trofie pasta. If you can't find the twisty trofie pasta, use any fresh pasta-even linguine.
By Buckwheat Queen

Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini

Rating: 4.83 stars
1900
This soup embodies all the wonders of Italian cooking: Italian sausage, garlic, tomatoes and red wines. Serve with hot bread and salad for a delicious meal. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.
By Mary P

Bolognese Sauce

Rating: 4.39 stars
212
An excellent chunky pasta sauce with beef, pork, lots of vegetables and tons of flavor. Freeze any unused portions for later use. If you have fresh herbs, you may substitute 2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil for the dried basil in this recipe.
By Kimber

Arancini

Rating: 4.61 stars
68
An Italian rice ball made with white wine risotto, and a gooey mozzarella center. Fantastic for lunch or dinner - can be frozen.
By DEBMCD

Homemade Lasagna Sheets

Rating: 4.83 stars
1
Homemade lasagna sheets are easier to make than you think and you don't even need a pasta machine! And forget about blanching the sheets before baking - no precooking is required!
By Alemarsi

Chef John's Shrimp Fra Diavolo

Rating: 4.82 stars
72
This recipe features the devilishly delicious shrimp fra diavolo, or 'shrimp brother devil' if we are being literal for comic effect. It's really good and turns any pile of pasta or rice into a memorable meal. Some people like to add a little lemon, but I don't think it needs it unless your wine is too sweet.
By Chef John
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