22 Drool-Worthy Italian Recipes (Pizza Not Included)

Craving Italian food but want to try something new? Pizza is great, but there's a whole world of yummy Italian dishes out there! Get ready to say 'Mamma mia!' because we've got 22 easy and delicious Italian recipes that you can make at home.

From creamy pasta dishes to hearty soups, there's something for everyone. You won't need a fancy chef hat to try these recipes - they're perfect for cooks of all levels. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to cook up some Italian magic!

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.

Italian Lentil Soup – Zuppa Di Lenticchie

Italian lentil soup, or zuppa di lenticchie, is a very tasty lentil minestrone boasting plenty of fresh vegetables in every mouthful. Suitable for any occasion, but especially tempting during the cooler months, Italian vegetable soup is hearty and warming, and perfect served with either croutons or crusty ciabatta for soaking up every last drop. Get the recipe.

Polenta Bite Appetizers

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 Olive-Caper spread. Easy and mouthwatering appetizer that everyone will love. Get the recipe.

Mushroom Risotto with Olives

This is hands down the BEST Creamy Mushroom Risotto and I'm not exaggerating. It's uniquely flavorful, rich and indulgent. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy risotto is a perfect choice for a date night or family dinner. Get the recipe.

Creamy Salmon Pasta

This Easy and Creamy Salmon Pasta features quickly seared salmon tossed in a creamy, smoky sauce along with your favorite pasta. This hearty and satisfying dish is loaded with flavor and comes together in no time. Get the recipe.

Italian Cannellini Bean Salad

This Italian Cannellini Bean Salad is healthy, flavorful, and satisfying. Made with white beans, juicy roasted bell peppers, olives, marinated red onions, and dollops of vegan cashew cheese, it's the perfect cold side dish or easy lunch. A good option for picnics, potluck, or work lunches too. Get the recipe.

Easy Penne Pomodoro Recipe

This Penne Pomodoro is a classic Italian pasta dish featuring a delicious, flavor-packed red tomato sauce with hints of basil and garlic. This easy pasta recipe is quick and easy to make, and you can have it ready at the dinner table in under 30 minutes! Get the recipe.

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.

Hearty 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.

Italian Chicken Saltimbocca

Chicken saltimbocca is an easy dinner recipe. It’s a classic Italian baked chicken dish with sage saltimbocca sauce. The ingredients include sage, prosciutto, provolone cheese, and chicken, so you know it’s going to be rich and full of amazing flavours. It’s beautiful served with polenta, roasted or boiled potatoes or pasta. This traditional Italian dish will become your favourite chicken dinner recipe. Get the recipe.

Pasta Alla Foriana

Had a busy day and no time for a complicated dinner recipe? Not a problem. This Pasta Alla Foriana is a healthy and delicious Italian pasta recipe. The best part - it can be pulled together in under 20 minutes. Get the recipe.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

You're in for a treat with these incredible sweet potato gnocchi! They're delightfully light, pillowy, and melt in your mouth. Not only are they egg-free, but they're also much simpler to make than you might imagine. The result is an incredibly flavorful homemade dish that’s perfect for the fall season. Get the recipe.

30-minute Polenta with Mushrooms

This 30-minute Polenta Recipe gets its unique flavor from an umami-packed Miso Paste. Served with quick 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.

Rustic Italian Pasta Salad

This Italian pasta salad recipe is rustic, delicious, and hearty enough to be a main meal! The lovely side dish can easily accompany a main course. But it’s also great as the main course if you are plant-based or even just enjoying a meat-free Monday night dinner. Get the recipe.

Muffaletta Sandwich

A well-made muffaletta sandwich with olive spread, deli meats and cheese is one of life’s culinary delights! It’s easy to make a muffaletta recipe yourself at home and it’s hard to beat this classic New Orleans sandwich. This show-stopping sandwich is guaranteed to satisfy even the heartiest appetite. Get the recipe.

Italian Sunday Gravy (Sugo)

This authentic recipe for Italian Sunday gravy (sauce) - or sugo, as my family calls it - is a rich tradition that's been passed down through my Sicilian family for generations. It's a homemade red sauce that gets simmered for hours with meatballs, Italian sausage, and melt-in-your-mouth pieces of tender slow cooked pork. Get the recipe.

Artichoke Tomato Bruschetta

If you’ve been looking for a delicious appetizer that’s perfect for the holidays, then this artichoke tomato bruschetta is probably it. It’s the perfect combination of an oven-toasted baguette with the tangy sweetness of tomatoes, the earthy flavor of artichokes, and the creamy richness of goat cheese. Plus, it can be ready in less than 25 minutes! Get the recipe.

Zuppa Toscana

Enjoy a comforting bowl of Zuppa Toscana, a creamy Italian sausage and potato soup, perfect for warming up on chilly evenings. Ready in 45 minutes. Get the recipes.

Crispy Chicken Milanese with 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 cheese. It's a simple and delicious Italian dinner that will have you coming back for seconds (and thirds). Get the recipe.

Italian Baked Ham Provolone Rosettes

I love making easy recipes for food that looks as good as it tastes. Take Italian baked ham provolone rosettes for example. These little lasagna roll ups or pasta pinwheels are simple enough for anyone to put together with ease, and they’re so cute! You will absolutely love these baked pasta roses with ham, provolone and parmesan. Get the recipe.

Cod Piccata

This Easy Cod Piccata in a creamy Picatta sauce makes a quick 30-minute dinner recipe your family will love. Creamy, a bit briny and so so good! Get the recipe.

Ricotta Beef Stuffed Pasta Shells

Baked ricotta beef stuffed pasta shells are full of ground beef and four different types of cheese. It is a meal the whole family will love! Get the recipe.