Forget takeout—these recipes are the reason your family will be racing to the dinner table. Packed with Italian-inspired classics, there are 21 dishes here that make mealtime the highlight of the day. From hearty favorites to cozy comforts, this lineup has everything you need to keep dinner fresh and exciting. It’s like a roundtrip ticket to Italy without the long flight or questionable airplane food.

Chicken Cacciatore
If you’re looking for comfort but with a bit of flair, I’ve got just the thing. This dish takes the hominess of chicken and mixes it with a sauce that keeps you coming back for more. Chicken Cacciatore might just be the highlight of your dinner table. It’s that cozy meal you want when you’re craving something warm and filling.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cacciatore
Italian Wedding Soup
Imagine a bowl that brings warmth and joy in every spoonful. With its rich broth and hearty elements, Italian Wedding Soup stands out as a dish that makes any evening special. It’s the kind of soup you look forward to all day, promising satisfaction and comfort. Plus, it has a way of making family dinners feel even more special.
Get the Recipe: Italian Wedding Soup
The Backyard Table
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Every recipe is created, tested and loved by Chef Jenn and her family - there's no AI here!
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Buy Now!Classic Shrimp Scampi
Seafood lovers, listen up. There’s a dish with the power to whisk you away to the Italian coast with just one bite. Classic Shrimp Scampi is simple, yes, but it’s the simplicity that lets the flavors truly shine. This is what you whip up when you want dinner to feel like a little celebration.
Get the Recipe: Classic Shrimp Scampi
Italian Pot Roast Pasta
Sometimes, you need a meal that feels like a hug from the inside, and that’s where this comes into play. Tender, slow-cooked goodness mixed with pasta makes Italian Pot Roast Pasta a must-try. It’s the blend of comfort and excitement on a plate, proving that some dishes can indeed feel like home. This one’s perfect for those nights when the craving for something hearty hits hard.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pot Roast Pasta
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Here’s a soup that does more than just fill you up—it tells a story of comfort and joy. Chicken Gnocchi Soup combines tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and a savory broth that warms you right up. It’s a go-to for chilly days or whenever you need a bowl of comfort without any fuss. Every spoonful is a reminder why some classics are worth revisiting.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce
Who says quick and easy can’t also be incredibly good? This dish proves that sometimes, the best meals come from the simplest ideas. Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce is vibrant, fresh, and unbelievably filling. It’s the dish you lean on when you want something both comforting and light.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce
Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
If you’re in the mood to shake up your salad game, here’s a game changer. Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette is not just any dressing; it’s a ticket to transforming ordinary greens into something extraordinary. It’s creamy, it’s tangy, and it brings salads to life in a way that’s hard to resist. This is how you make greens the star of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
Chicken Piccata
Bright, tangy, and bursting with flavor, this dish has a way of making you pause and savor each bite. Chicken Piccata offers up that perfect balance of richness and acidity, wrapped up in a meal that feels both fancy and utterly simple. It’s the kind of dish that begs you to sit down, relax, and really enjoy your dinner. Perfect for evenings when you need a little pick-me-up.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata
Zuppa Toscana Soup
There’s something about a hearty bowl of soup that feels like a mini adventure in every spoonful. Zuppa Toscana Soup brings together flavors and textures in a way that’s both comforting and exciting. It’s the soup you turn to when you want something filling but also brimming with flavor. Definitely a treat for anyone looking to spice up their soup routine.
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Toscana Soup
Baked Pesto Salmon
For those evenings when you’re after something that feels a bit special but without the fuss, look no further. Baked Pesto Salmon is your answer. It meshes the rich taste of salmon with the brightness of pesto, creating a dish that’s as delicious to eat as it is easy to make. It’s a wonderful way to bring a taste of the sea to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Pesto Salmon
Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken
Ever find yourself wanting a meal that’s both wholesome and fulfilling? That’s where this soup comes in. With its blend of kale, chicken, and tortellini, Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken is a bowl of goodness that satisfies on all levels. It’s perfect for those days you need something both nutritious and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken
Pesto Orzo Salad
When you need a side that’s quick to prepare but doesn’t skimp on flavor, this is your go-to. Pesto Orzo Salad is bright, flavorful, and incredibly versatile. It’s the perfect addition to any meal, offering a refreshing take on pasta salad. Whether it’s a backyard barbecue or a simple family dinner, this salad is a winner.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad
Oven Roasted Tomato Soup
Nothing beats the classics, and this soup is a shining example. Oven Roasted Tomato Soup takes the rich, deep flavor of roasted tomatoes and turns it into a comforting bowl of deliciousness. It’s a timeless recipe that proves simplicity often leads to the best results. This is what you crave on a cool evening.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Tomato Soup
Ham & Asparagus Pizza
Tired of the same old pizza options? Then get ready for a combo that changes the game. Ham & Asparagus Pizza brings together savory ham and fresh asparagus on a crispy crust, creating a flavor profile that’s both unique and utterly delicious. This pizza is a great way to mix up your weekly dinner routine.
Get the Recipe: Ham & Asparagus Pizza
Oven Roasted Asparagus with Mascarpone
When you’re after a side that’s a notch above the rest, here’s a recipe that brings elegance without the effort. Oven Roasted Asparagus with Mascarpone combines the simplicity of roasted vegetables with a touch of creamy luxury. It’s an easy way to add a bit of sophistication to any meal, proving that sides can be just as exciting as the main.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Asparagus with Mascarpone
Italian Chicken
Craving something that feels gourmet but without the hours in the kitchen? This dish is all about bringing flavors to life in a way that’s both simple and incredibly filling. Italian Chicken is the answer to your weeknight dinner prayers, offering up tenderness and taste in equal measure. It’s a straightforward dish that never fails to please.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chicken
Birria Pizza
Fusion dishes have a way of bringing excitement to the table, and this one’s no exception. Birria Pizza combines traditional Italian and Mexican flavors for a pizza experience that’s out of this world. It takes the comfort of pizza and adds a twist that’s spicy, savory, and altogether irresistible. Perfect for when you’re feeling adventurous.
Get the Recipe: Birria Pizza
Classic Caprese Salad
There’s nothing quite like the fresh taste of a well-made salad, especially when it’s as simple and elegant as this one. Classic Caprese Salad pairs fresh slices of tomato and mozzarella with basil, for a dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. It’s a timeless combination that delights without fail, making it a perfect starter or side.
Get the Recipe: Classic Caprese Salad
Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone
Sometimes, the side dishes are the star of the dinner table, and this creamy creation is here to steal the spotlight. Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone takes a beloved green and upgrades it with a touch of creamy decadence. It’s a side that promises to outshine even the most charismatic of mains, bringing a smooth texture and rich flavor to your plate.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone
Tortellini Soup with Sausage
Who says soup can’t be the star of the show? With its robust flavors and hearty ingredients, Tortellini Soup with Sausage is a bowl of coziness that stands out. It’s the kind of meal that not only warms you up but keeps you coming back for more with every spoonful. A true comfort dish that makes you feel right at home.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Sausage
Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

Pasta lovers, it’s time to celebrate. Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells offer a cheesy, gooey goodness that’s hard to resist. This dish combines the joy of pasta with the ultimate comfort of cheese, creating a meal that’s both filling and delicious. It’s a surefire way to bring smiles around the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells