Italian food doesn’t have to be a marathon in the kitchen. With these 19 recipes, you’ll be whipping up classic dishes in no time. No need for a pizza stone or a degree in culinary arts – just a few basic ingredients and a dash of humor (because if the pasta boils over, you can always blame it on the wine). These dishes are proof that great food doesn’t have to come with a side of stress.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
You’ll be amazed at how few ingredients it takes to create something so flavorful and filling. Chicken Gnocchi Soup brings together tender gnocchi and chicken in a rich, creamy broth. It’s the kind of dish that feels comforting and satisfying, yet it’s simple enough to make after a long day. Even though it seems like a complex dish, it’s surprisingly quick and easy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce
With Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce, you can enjoy the perfect balance of light yet flavorful. It’s quick to make and relies on fresh, simple ingredients to deliver that classic Italian taste. The best part? It’s ready in minutes and doesn’t require any special skills. This is a perfect weeknight dinner that proves less really is more, especially when it comes to Italian cooking. The cherry tomatoes create a sauce that’s just the right amount of tangy and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce
Pasta e Fagioli Soup
This soup is full of rich flavors from just a few simple ingredients, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner. Pasta e Fagioli Soup is a hearty, flavorful dish that’s surprisingly easy to make. It’s the perfect meal when you’re craving something warm and filling without spending hours in the kitchen. You’ll love how comforting it is without being overly heavy or complicated.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup
Oven Roasted Asparagus with Mascarpone
A great option when you need a side dish that’s easy to prepare but still makes a statement. Oven Roasted Asparagus with Mascarpone takes a simple vegetable and turns it into something special. This dish is effortless yet flavorful, perfect for when you want a side that’s both quick and impressive. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the asparagus, and the mascarpone adds richness without being too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Asparagus with Mascarpone
Zuppa Toscana Soup
Get ready to wonder why you ever bothered with complicated recipes before. Zuppa Toscana Soup is the ultimate comfort food with rich, hearty flavors that come together quickly. This soup is filling without being heavy, making it perfect for any time of year. The best part? It’s easy to make and requires minimal effort. Once you try it, you’ll be surprised at how simple and satisfying it is, especially on a chilly evening.
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Toscana Soup
Italian Chicken
You’ll wonder why you didn’t try this simple yet satisfying recipe sooner. Italian Chicken offers all the classic flavors you love, without any of the complicated steps. It’s a versatile dish that pairs perfectly with a variety of sides, making it an easy go-to for dinner. This dish is perfect for when you want something that feels special but doesn’t take forever to make.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chicken
Birria Pizza
You’ll be shocked at how effortlessly you can create a dish that’s both unique and delicious. Birria Pizza is a fun and easy twist on traditional pizza, combining two fan favorites into one. The birria adds a rich, flavorful kick, and when paired with melted cheese on a crispy crust, it’s simply irresistible. Even though it sounds like a restaurant-level dish, this pizza comes together quickly and easily.
Get the Recipe: Birria Pizza
Oven Roasted Tomato Soup
For an easy yet heartwarming meal, look no further than Oven Roasted Tomato Soup. This is the kind of dish that makes you feel like a pro chef, even though it’s straightforward and quick. Roasting the tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness, making this soup a cozy, satisfying choice. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, and you’ll be amazed at how little effort it takes to make something so comforting.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Tomato Soup
Baked Pesto Salmon
When you’re short on time but still want a flavorful dinner, Baked Pesto Salmon is your answer. This recipe doesn’t require hours in the kitchen but still manages to impress with its bold flavors. It’s the kind of dish you can throw together in no time but feel like you’ve really gone all out. With minimal ingredients, you’ll find yourself coming back to this one again and again for its simplicity and satisfying taste.
Get the Recipe: Baked Pesto Salmon
Chicken Piccata
The best part is that it looks and tastes like something you’d order at a fancy restaurant, but it’s so easy to make at home. Chicken Piccata is a classic Italian dish that’s perfect for when you want something quick but packed with flavor. With its tangy sauce and perfectly cooked chicken, it’s always a crowd-pleaser. You’ll be surprised at how fast this dish comes together, making it a great choice for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata
Polenta with Mascarpone
You’ll love how it comes together in no time, yet manages to feel special enough for guests. Polenta with Mascarpone offers a comforting, creamy base that pairs beautifully with just about anything. If you’re looking for a dish that’s easy to make but still feels like a treat, this is the one. Whether as a side or a main, it’s simple, satisfying, and surprisingly versatile. Plus, it’s the kind of dish that leaves you thinking, “I can’t believe this was so easy.”
Get the Recipe: Polenta with Mascarpone
Pesto Orzo Salad
This dish is ideal for when you want a satisfying meal that’s light on prep but big on flavor. Pesto Orzo Salad is a light, flavorful dish that’s easy to put together and perfect for any occasion. Whether served as a side or a main, it’s a great way to enjoy fresh, vibrant flavors without much effort. The orzo adds texture, while the pesto brings in that unmistakable, herbaceous flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad
Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes
You’ll be amazed at how just a few ingredients can come together to make something so delicious and simple. Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes is a light yet satisfying dish that’s easy to make and full of flavor. The creamy ricotta complements the fresh tomatoes, creating a balanced and refreshing pasta. This recipe is perfect when you want something quick but still feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes
Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells
It’s easier to make than you might think, especially if you’re short on time but still craving a hearty meal. Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells are the comfort food you didn’t know you needed. These stuffed pasta shells are filled with cheese and baked to perfection, creating a dish that’s both filling and indulgent. You won’t believe how quickly you can turn basic ingredients into something so satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells
Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone
You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make a side that tastes so decadent and satisfying. Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone offers a rich, creamy side that’s quick to make but feels indulgent. Spinach might seem like a simple veggie, but this dish upgrades it into something rich and comforting. It’s the perfect way to sneak in some greens without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone
Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta
An easy way to enjoy a flavorful, filling meal that doesn’t take hours to prepare. Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta is a hearty yet straightforward dish that comes together quickly. The savory sausage and slightly bitter broccoli rabe create a balanced flavor profile that’s satisfying without being too heavy. You’ll be surprised by how simple it is to make something this comforting and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta
Tomato Bruschetta Board
When you want to impress without the stress, Tomato Bruschetta Board is the way to go. It’s a great choice for an appetizer or light meal, and it’s surprisingly easy to throw together. The fresh tomatoes and crispy bread make for a perfect combination that’s always a hit. Even though it’s simple, it gives the impression of a dish that took hours to prepare – but it won’t!
Get the Recipe: Tomato Bruschetta Board
Tortellini Soup with Sausage
A great go-to for a cozy dinner when you need something quick but hearty. Tortellini Soup with Sausage is a hearty soup that’s perfect for cooler days, and it’s surprisingly simple to make. The combination of tender tortellini and savory sausage creates a satisfying dish that feels like it took hours to prepare. Despite how rich it tastes, it’s a straightforward recipe that doesn’t require much effort.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Sausage
Classic Caprese Salad
A Classic Caprese Salad is a refreshing dish that proves simple and can be stunning. This recipe takes minimal prep but delivers big on flavor, making it perfect for an effortless side or appetizer. Perfect for when you’re craving something light yet satisfying, it’s a salad that packs a punch. Whether for a weeknight dinner or a gathering, you’ll appreciate how quickly it comes together without sacrificing quality. Just one bite and you’ll see why it’s a go-to favorite.
Get the Recipe: Classic Caprese Salad