22 Italian Recipes That Prove Pizza Isn't Everything

Craving Italian but tired of the usual pizza routine? Don't worry, we got you covered.

Sure, pizza's amazing. However, there's so much more than that. We rounded up a list of delicious recipe ideas that prove Italian cuisine is one of the best in the world.

One Pot Chicken Contadina

Fall-off-the bone chicken is smothered in a rich vegetable-infused sauce. This One Pot Chicken Contadina or a Country Style Chicken is an easy Italian recipe for a hearty weeknight meal. Simple ingredients - insanely delicious result. Get the recipe.

Creamiest Tomato Risotto

This Tomato Risotto is an incredibly simple recipe but is still packed with flavor in each bite to give you a dinner meal that's sure to become a family favorite! It features perfectly cooked risotto with a beautiful, creamy texture and the fresh summer flavors of cherry tomatoes. What's best is that it's also vegan and can be made in just 30 minutes from scratch! Get the recipe.

Polenta Bites with Olive Spread

If you need a 30-minute appetizer idea, these Polenta Bites will do the trick. Tubed polenta is fried until crispy and then topped with a tangy Kalamata Olive-Caper spread. Easy and mouthwatering appetizer that everyone will love. Get the recipe.

Stovetop Grilled Vegetable Panini 

Loaded with flavorful Grilled Veggies, melty Mozzarella and smothered in grilled pepper tapenade, these easy Stovetop Grilled Vegetable Panini don't require panini maker. You can make them with just a grill pan and one easy trick. Get the recipe.

Hearty, Old-Fashioned Minestrone Soup

This Hearty Old-Fashioned Minestrone soup is filled with wholesome ingredients like leeks, beans and potatoes. It's popular among kids and adults and is sure to fill you up on chilly winter days. Be sure to add some crusty bread to round out the meal. Get the recipe.

Creamy Polenta with Mushrooms

This 30-minute Vegan Polenta Recipe gets its unique flavor from an umami-packed Miso Paste. Served with quick vegan sautéed mushrooms, this dairy-free polenta is SO creamy and perfect for busy days. It's healthy, comforting, and easy to make. Get the recipe.

Crispy Chicken Milanese with Tomato Arugula Salad

This recipe for Chicken Milanese is truly the BEST you will ever have. Crispy breaded Italian chicken cutlets get topped with a lemony arugula tomato salad and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. It's a simple and delicious Italian dinner that will have you coming back for seconds (and thirds). Get the recipe.

Sausage and Spinach Frittata

Sausage and spinach frittata – a delectable keto-friendly egg dish that tastes AMAZING and is perfect for breakfast or brunch! Get the recipe.

Roasted Tomato and Meatball Polenta

Roasted tomato and meatball polenta is a fast weeknight dinner that everyone will love. The creamy polenta, classic meatballs and juicy tomatoes in this main course come together perfectly to make wonderful comfort food. This Italian meal is quick and easy to prepare and the flavour is simply wonderful and will become a family favorite. Get the recipe.

Italian Tuna White Bean Salad

This tasty Italian tuna bean salad, or insalata di tonno e fagioli as it’s known in Italy, features fresh tuna fish steaks and cannellini beans as the main ingredients. Italian fresh tuna salad makes a satisfying lunch, or you can enjoy the Mediterranean flavors by enjoying it as a side dish with a main course or a snack. Get the recipe.

Gnocchi with Bacon & Mushrooms

Make this Gnocchi with Bacon & Mushrooms in just 25 minutes, with few ingredients and incredible taste. Made with store bought gnocchi and a touch of cream it's topped with a generous amount of Parmesan cheese. Get the recipe.

Chicken Scarpariello

Baked Chicken Scarpariello, hailing from Italian culinary traditions, seamlessly melds the tanginess of vinegar, the depth of roasted peppers, and the succulence of chicken. This dish, often referred to as "Shoemaker's Chicken," tells a story in every bite – a story of rustic Italian kitchens where simplicity meets flavor. Get the recipe.

Pumpkin and Mushroom Risotto

Craving a rich, hearty, one-pan meal that warms your soul? This Pumpkin and Mushroom risotto recipe is your answer! It's a delicious blend of creamy Arborio rice, earthy shiitake mushrooms, and smooth pumpkin puree. It’s the best way to use pumpkin puree! Get the recipe.

Parmesan Farro Risotto with Herbed Chicken

A new and delicious twist on a regular risotto. This Parmesan Farro Risotto in combination with Herbed Chicken makes an easy and hearty dish for a casual get-together. Get the recipe.

Roman Chicken Cacciatore 

Roman Chicken Cacciatore is an easy, inexpensive and incredibly delicious weeknight dinner. Bone-in chicken thighs slowly braised in a flavorful sauce made from white wine, vinegar, garlic and rosemary. Get the recipe.

Creamy Toscana Soup

This Toscana Soup Recipe is the ultimate low carb comfort food! Made with sausage, spinach, and veggies, your family will love this hearty, rich, and creamy Italian soup! Get the recipe.

Bruschetta with Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Easy Bruschetta with Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomatoes features homemade basil Pesto, sautéed zucchini, and delicious sun-dried tomatoes. If you're looking for a very best crowd-pleasing appetizer for your next party, you can count on this Basil Pesto Bruschetta to deliver. Easy to make and absolutely delicious! Get the recipe.

Quick and Easy Salmon Piccata

Salmon piccata is a great weeknight meal. Ready in minutes and bursting with fresh, bright, and zesty flavor, it tastes like the classic Italian dish with a lighter seafood spin. With gourmet looks and taste, you’ll be shocked at how easily this meal comes together. Get the recipe.

Osso Buco

An Italian classic that is the very definition of comfort food, osso buco is all about rich flavors, tender meat that falls apart and that feeling of bliss that only special dishes bring. So, are you ready to make this all-time favorite Italian stew? Get the recipe.

Italian Beef Braciole Stuffed Beef Roll

Being Italian, this Italian beef braciole always makes me happy. A stuffed Italian rolled steak or beef roll with tomato sauce is always good. Braciole is delicious served with pasta, mashed potatoes or a vegetable based side dish. It makes a truly wonderful Sunday family dinner and is one of the Italian classics when it comes to steak roll recipes. Get the recipe.

Authentic Italian Meatballs (Italian Polpettes)

Who doesn't love a hearty plate of pasta topped with authentic Italian meatballs? These juicy Italian polpettes infused with traditional flavors and simmered in a rich tomato sauce are a staple in Italian cuisine! Get the recipe.

Italian Meatloaf with Egg Noodles

This Italian Meatloaf with Egg Noodles is comfort food at it's finest! Easy to make and packed with hearty, Italian flavors. Italian Meatloaf with Egg Noodles.

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