If you love easy and you also love Italian food, you’re in the right place. I decided today to put together a collection of some of my easiest recipes that anyone can make.
Whether you’re looking for something quick for yourself, planning a date night, or cooking for your family, I think these particular recipes will surely inspire you. I made sure to include a good selection from appetizers to dinners to desserts.
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Easy Italian Appetizers
I’ve made these recipes for various parties and get-togethers. They are delicious, and most can be made in advance. Check out all my appetizer ideas for more inspiration.
1
Easy Italian Stuffed Mushrooms
What I love about these is that they don't contain meat like sausage. They are so full of flavor you'll be in heaven. You can easily make these a day in advance before cooking in the oven.
Okay, if you want to really impress your guests, you've got to try these antipasto skewers. They look so beautiful and everyone can take their own skewer, making it super easy to serve!
This appetizer can be made early and kept in the fridge until ready to serve. I like to use the mini sweet peppers from the store as they are great for finger foods. The ricotta is filled with flavors that really make the peppers pop!
Next up are side dishes. Here are some of my favorite easy recipes that have really helped round out meals.
4
String Beans with Tomatoes
This is a recipe I like because it looks so festive! Use canned tomatoes to make the job easier and take advantage of the juices. You can use fresh or frozen string beans for this side dish.
I'd be letting you down if I didn't include this side dish. In fact, it's one of the first ones I was taught from my mother-in-law when I got married (and realized I needed to seriously learn how to cook!).
Simple Zucchini topped with Tomato and Breadcrumbs
What makes this recipe delicious in my opinion are the breadcrumbs. This recipe requires few ingredients and is so easy to put together. You'll need to bake them, but don't worry if they start to cool before serving – you can reheat them in the oven so they're nice and warm! This recipe goes great with many of my Italian chicken recipes.
Yep, Italians love their salads too. Sometimes it’s the main course. Feel free to serve these salads before or during the main meal! Check out my full list of Italian salad ideas.
7
Caprese Salad using Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
For this salad (which can also be made in advance), I use cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls which make it easier to prepare and serve for a crowd. It's a great recipe for so many occasions. Remember that the fresh basil is very important for that classic Italian flavor!
Although this salad appears to be just lettuce, there's more to it than just that. With the help of some garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and a dash of salt – this salad is amazing. It's how I had it in Italy many years ago and is so quick and easy to make.
I suppose every country has their favorite fruit salad, so for this Italian version I made sure to include flavors popular in Italian culture. It's a very flexible salad and that's why I'm including it in this list.
To warm up those cold fall and winter seasons, here are some of my easiest Italian soup recipes.
10
Vegetable Minestrone Soup
I love sharing this recipe because it's so healthy and super flexible. You can adjust quantities, add in more veggies like zucchini, beans, etc. Plus, you can add in chicken broth for even more flavor. But this is a fantastic recipe when you have family or friends that are on strict vegetarian diets and want something tasty and filling!
Okay, if you want to really impress people, make this fagioli soup. It's easy, can be made in advance, and is a traditional Italian recipe. It's filling and can also be used as a main dish or for a hearty lunch. Yes, your coworkers will be envious when they smell your soup in the office!
This soup recipe couldn't be easier. It's literally what the title is. It's ready to serve in under 20 minutes. I love this soup when I want something that is filling but not heavy or bulky. That's where the chicken broth comes in. I love this recipe and I hope you do too!
When it comes to finding ideas for easy Italian dinners, I have you totally covered. My go-to for easy dinners are almost always pasta recipes. Here are a few of my favorites.
13
Pasta all’Arrabbiata
This pasta recipe is easier to make than it is to pronounce! It's a quick dish that comes together in no time. You can use penne which is fairly traditional, but you can also use long pasta like linguine, or use rigatoni like I did. This is a little spicy, so avoid this dish for people sensitive to spicy foods.
This Italian recipe is so simple and easy to make. It makes for a quick dish when you don't want anything too heavy – just pasta. It goes great with other mains such as chicken dishes or vegetable recipes.
This recipe isn't pasta related but it's so easy and everyone will love it. It's a spin on a traditional meatloaf, but we're adding in a bunch of Italian flavors and topping it with chopped tomatoes. It's almost like eating a really big meatball – but better!
Even people who are finicky about eating peas will enjoy this recipe – I know I did the first time I had it! It's full of flavor and the peas are flavored with olive oil, garlic and cheese. It's a classic recipe that I love to make!
A quick and easy dessert that tastes amazing. The last time I made this was at a party and my brother asked if it was store bought! This recipe is uncomplicated and so fun to make.
Don't worry, an egg-free tiramisu is just as delicious as one with eggs. I get nervous with uncooked eggs (even if tempered) so I created this recipe. it's so easy to make and turns out moist and decadent! It also is great for leftovers and late night snacks!
These butterball cookies are a family tradition for many decades. They are made with pecans and of course lots of butter. But these are very popular during holidays, especially Christmas. Biggest tip is to make sure to let them cool before coating with the powdered sugar otherwise they'll crumble too much!
I truly hope that you’ll check out these recipes and many of my other Italian recipes found throughout my site. All these recipes are ones that have been passed down to me from either my Italian family or my husband’s, or that I’ve created or modified from old Italian cookbooks.
My name is Liz, a 2nd generation Italian-American. I love sharing easy Italian recipes through my blog and videos to anyone who enjoys Italian cooking. Learn more about me.
