Looking for yummy dinner ideas? When life is hectic, but you still crave the comfort of a home-cooked meal, Easy Italian Recipes are the answer. Its straightforward ingredients and minimal prep time make it perfect for busy weeknights and casual family dinners.
You can whip up delicious Italian dishes at home, even if you’re short on time, since Italian cooking is known for being quick while still producing impressive results.
If you can't get enough Italian flavors, be sure to check out our Italian Sandwich Ideas. So good!
Jump to:
Kitchen Planner
Black and White Kitchen Labels PrintablesGrocery List and Menu Planner Printables
Best Supplies For Italian Cooking
To make easy Italian recipes, you'll need a few essential tools. A large sauté pan is a must, while a stockpot is great for soups, stews, and pasta. A wooden spoon is a sauce-stirring classic since it won't scratch your pans. I always have extra virgin olive oil on hand. You will be surprised how much you use it!
Calphalon® Hard-Anodized Nonstick 5-Qt. Sauté Pan with Lid
Cuisinart 4-Piece Cookware Set, 12 Quarts, Chef's Classic Stainless Steel Pasta/Steamer, 77-412P1Rachael Ray Enamel on Steel Stock Pot/Stockpot with Lid, 12 Quart, Marine BlueAUOON Clip On Strainer Silicone for All Pots and Pans, Pasta Strainer Clip on Food Strainer for Meat Vegetables Fruit Silicone Kitchen Colander2 Pieces Spaghetti Spoon and Pasta Tong,Non-stick 13-Inch Silicone Spaghetti Fork and 9.8-Inch Stainless Steel Handle Spaghetti Tong Food Clip for Spaghetti NoodlePompeian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil, First Cold Pressed, Mild and Delicate Flavor, Perfect for Sauteing and Stir-Frying, Naturally Gluten Free, Non-Allergenic, Non-GMO, 16 FL. OZ., Single Bottle
Quick and Easy Italian Recipes
I love making Italian recipes for a few reasons. First, I'm Italian and was raised on yummy homemade Italian food. Another reason I love them is because everyone has a different spin on them. You don't need to be a professional chef to make delicious pasta or tomato sauce.
Plus, many Italian recipes use pantry staples and a handful of fresh ingredients, so you don’t need to buy a ton of special items at the grocery store. Whether you're feeding picky eaters or a family with different tastes, most Italian recipes are crowd-pleasers.
Tips for Making Italian Recipes
Tip 1: When making pasta, try to cook it al dente. You'll want to taste as you cook to avoid mushy pasta.
Tip 2: Salting your pasta water is the key to flavorful pasta. Don't skip this important step.
Tip 3: If fresh herbs are available, use them. Basil, parsley, and oregano are popular in Italian cooking, and fresh versions add more flavor than dried.
FAQs For Quick Italian Recipes
Yes! There are lots of gluten-free pasta options available on the market now. Swap cheese with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese alternatives for vegan meals, and use egg-free pasta.
The key is simplicity, like with our Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe. Use high-quality canned or fresh tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and fresh basil. Skip adding too many spices or sugar, as Italian-style tomato sauce shines best with minimal ingredients.
Most Italian dishes, like pasta and sauces, can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. Some foods taste even better reheated the next day.
Easy Italian Recipes
These Italian recipes are not just easy, they’re comforting, kid-approved, and adaptable to what you already have in your kitchen. Most recipes can be customized depending on your preferences, so you can make them lighter or heartier depending on your mood.
Leave a Reply