Indulge in the flavors of Italy without spending all day in the kitchen with these 17 easy Italian recipes! Each recipe is packed with flavor but won’t keep you tied to the stove for hours. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up authentic Italian meals that taste like they’ve been simmering all day. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to enjoy homemade Italian cuisine without the hassle!
Pasta e Fagioli Soup
Pasta e Fagioli Soup is like a warm embrace from Italy, brimming with pasta and beans in a savory broth. It’s chock-full of flavor and fills your kitchen with aromas that speak of simmering for hours, even if it takes less than one to make. This soup is as nourishing as it is delicious, proving that goodness doesn’t have to take all day. Get ready for a bowl that’s akin to pulling off a big Italian Sunday dinner on any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup
Italian Chicken
In the mood for chicken with pizzazz? This Italian Chicken offers just that, soaked in herbs and spices and accompanied by a sauce that brings it all home. It’s the kind of dinner that’s a winner any night of the week, thanks to a short prep time that belies its deep flavor. You’ll serve a dish that’s fuss-free yet could easily pass as an all-day affair in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chicken
Birria Pizza
Twist your pizza traditions with a taste of Mexico in this Birria Pizza. It’s topped with tender, slow-cooked Birria, rich cheese, and, if you like, a sprinkle of fresh onions and cilantro. This fusion of Italian and Mexican cuisine is a straightforward recipe that’s surprisingly simple to make. The result is a pizza that’s bursting with flavor and gives off that ‘cooked all day’ impression without the long wait.
Get the Recipe: Birria Pizza
Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
With a Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette, you’re just seconds away from making your salads sing. This blend of tangy balsamic with a creamy twist uplifts any greens, turning the ordinary into extraordinary. It’s a cinch to mix up and has that ‘worked on it all day’ gourmet vibe. Keep it up your sleeve for an instant Italian makeover of your favorite salads.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Cozy up with Chicken Gnocchi Soup, where you’ll find tender chicken and soft dumplings swimming in a creamy soup. This warm comfort in a bowl is easy to prepare, promising a full stomach and a smile with very little effort. Whenever you need a hug in soup form, this recipe delivers without the need for preparation all day long. It’s a friendly reminder of how simple ingredients can taste like they were made by an Italian grandmother.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Garlic Shrimp Scampi
Satisfy yourself with succulent shrimp flavored with a perfect mix of garlic, lemon, and parsley. You’ll be amazed at how quick this Garlic Shrimp Scampi is to make, turning a regular evening into something special without spending all day in the kitchen. Just toss it on top of pasta or with some crusty bread to get every last bit of the tasty sauce. It’s an easy Italian recipe that gives you all the restaurant feels in the comfort of your home.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Shrimp Scampi
Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells
Comfort food doesn’t get much better than Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells filled with a trio of creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. After a quick assembly, they bake to a bubbling marvel in a home-style tomato sauce. This dish has everyone feeling all the love and care of a recipe that took all day, yet you’ll have it ready in a blink. Gather everyone around the table for a cheesy, delicious meal that’s pure Italian magic.
Get the Recipe: Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells
Ham & Asparagus Pizza
Shake up your pizza routine with Ham & Asparagus Pizza, a delicious combo that’s just as easy to make as it is to devour. The crispy crust carries the savory ham and tender asparagus beautifully, all tied together with melted cheese. Whether you’re short on time or just want a delicious twist, this pizza has all the makings of a long-crafted Italian dish. It’s proof that simple ingredients can taste like they’ve been perfected over hours.
Get the Recipe: Ham & Asparagus Pizza
Pesto Orzo Salad
On warmer days, there’s nothing like a Pesto Orzo Salad to bring you the fresh zing of Italy in a lighter form. This dish is brimming with the taste of homemade pesto, ripe cherry tomatoes, and crisp arugula, making it a refreshing choice. Assembly is a snap, making it ideal for a quick lunch or a sunny-side-up addition to any meal. It’s one of those easy Italian recipes that could have taken all day but didn’t.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad
Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone
This Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone guarantees you’ll never look at spinach the same way again. The addition of creamy mascarpone turns a healthy green into a lush, savory experience. It comes together quickly and is the perfect sidekick for steaks, chicken, or a vegetarian plate. Get ready to serve up a dish that’s deceivingly simple yet sings like a classic Italian serenade.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone
Tomato Bruschetta Board
A Tomato Bruschetta Board is all about sharing the love (and the flavor) around the table. Crisp, toasted bread meets a topping of ripe tomatoes and fresh basil for a start that’s hard to beat. It’s wonderfully easy to toss together and makes for a lively beginning to any meal. Everyone gets to dig in and enjoy a creation that has all the hallmarks of an hours-long Italian preparation.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Bruschetta Board
Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken
Soup’s on with this hearty bowl of Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken, where nutrient-rich kale meets comforting pasta and chicken. The flavors swirl together in a savory broth, delivering a meal that’s satisfying in every spoonful. It’s a straightforward yet remarkable dish, suggesting hours of cooking while actually being a snappy prep. This soup brings an Italian feast to your table in a flash, leaving everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken
Oven Roasted Asparagus with Mascarpone
Oven Roasted Asparagus with Mascarpone turns a simple side into an elegant companion for any meal. Once the asparagus is roasted to tenderness, a dollop of creamy mascarpone adds a finishing touch of luxury. It’s an easy path to impressing guests or simply treating yourself, with little fuss but plenty of panache. This dish offers a taste of Italy that seems like it requires much more effort than it does.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Asparagus with Mascarpone
Tortellini Soup with Sausage
Dig right into this robust Tortellini Soup with Sausage, where every spoonful is a mix of cheesy pasta and savory meat. As a filling and warming dish, it’s a big yes for those nights when you want a comforting bowl without the hassle. The flavors marry perfectly, creating an Italian symphony in your mouth that hints at a long simmer, yet it’s ready before you have time to miss it. It’s your quick ticket to a wholesome meal that feels like nonna’s cooking.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Sausage
Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes
Want something effortless but supremely delicious? Try whipping up Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes, a dish that pairs creamy cheese with ripe, juicy tomatoes for a wow on your palate. It’s a breeze to put together, leaving you plenty of time to unwind while it tastes like it’s been simmering for hours. Indulge in a dish that’s got all the simplicity and charm of a classic Italian kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes
Shrimp Scampi Pizza
Take your pizza game up a notch with this genius Shrimp Scampi Pizza. With a golden crust topped with garlic shrimp, gooey mozzarella, and a touch of parsley, it’s sure to be a hit at any table. Create a lovely dinner that combines the coziness of pizza with an elegant twist, and enjoy it in no time at all. Plus, it’s another simple Italian treat that tastes like a day’s work but isn’t.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi Pizza
Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta
If you like things with a little kick, this Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta will hit the spot. With a mouthwatering mix of spicy sausage and broccoli rabe, it’s a hearty dish that comes together faster than you can say ‘delizioso.’ This dish sneaks some greens into your dinner and makes sure nobody misses out on flavor. Even better, it’s an easy Italian go-to that seems like it took all day but really didn’t.
Get the Recipe: Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta