• About
  • Contact
  • Destinations
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Contact
  • Destinations
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Contact
    • Destinations
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Trending

    23 Italian Recipes That Prove Simplicity Is The Secret To Great Food

    Published: Mar 20, 2025 by Kristen Wood · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    The secret to great food lies in simplicity. Just a handful of quality ingredients come together to create magic on a plate. It shows in these 23 Italian classic dishes, where less is definitely more, and simple techniques highlight natural flavors.

    Pesto Rice

    Pesto Rice. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Combine simplicity with flavor and you've got a meal that shines for its straightforward approach. Pesto Rice melds aromatic herbs with satisfying grains. A true taste of Italy on your dinner table without any fuss.
    Get the Recipe: Pesto Rice

    Baked Garlic Pepper Polenta Fries

    Baked Garlic Pepper Polenta Fries. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Introduce a bit of crunch and spice to your snack time or as a side. Baked Garlic Pepper Polenta Fries offer a delicious alternative to traditional fries. Turning cornmeal into an exciting Italian staple proves simplicity has its perks.
    Get the Recipe: Baked Garlic Pepper Polenta Fries

    Newsletter

    Sign up to receive our latest posts to your inbox! No spam ever.

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    Stuffed Chicken Marsala

    Stuffed chicken marsala in a cast iron skillet.
    Stuffed Chicken Marsala. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

    Treat yourself to a dish that's rich in flavor and oozing with cheese. Stuffed Chicken Marsala combines tender chicken and a luscious sauce for an unforgettable dining experience. It's a restaurant-quality meal right at home.
    Get the Recipe: Stuffed Chicken Marsala

    Alfredo Steak Pasta

    Alfredo steak pasta in skillet with wooden spoon.
    Alfredo Steak Pasta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Combine the indulgence of a steak with the classic Alfredo creaminess. Alfredo Steak Pasta makes for an irresistible weeknight luxury. It's a nod to the blend of Italian simplicity with a touch of opulence.
    Get the Recipe: Alfredo Steak Pasta

    Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo

    Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Imagine a dish that's both filling and full of creamy, herby goodness. Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is just that, boasting flavors that are rich and comforting. Every spoonful is a nod to the Tuscan countryside's love for uncomplicated yet hearty meals.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo

    Pasta e Fagioli Soup

    Pasta e Fagioli Soup. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    On those days when you crave a heartwarming meal, nothing beats a classic soup. Pasta e Fagioli Soup brings the rustic flavors of Italy to your table. A harmonious blend of pasta and beans that'll make you feel like you're dining in a quaint Italian village.
    Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup

    Rainbow Fathead Pizza

    Rainbow Pizza filled with colorful tomatoes and green fresh chives around it.
    Rainbow Fathead Pizza. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

    Enjoy a feast for your eyes as well as your stomach with a colorful twist on pizza. Rainbow Fathead Pizza brings lively colors and delicious flavors to your low-carb lifestyle. It's a creative Italian dish that keeps things interesting and simple.
    Get the Recipe: Rainbow Fathead Pizza

    Chicken Sorrentino

    Chicken sorrentino on a serving spoon.
    Chicken Sorrentino. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

    Each layer offers a new texture and a new discovery of flavors. Chicken Sorrentino is a celebration of fine Italian ingredients. When chicken meets eggplant and cheese, the result is a plate of pure comfort.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Sorrentino

    Italian Steak

    Italian Steak. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Every slice offers a taste of Italy's rustic, robust cuisine. Italian Steak is simple, full of flavor, and grilled to perfection. It's proof that sometimes the simplest ways are the best in Italian cooking.
    Get the Recipe: Italian Steak

    Palmini Baked Feta Pasta

    Baked palmini with feta in a light blue casserole.
    Palmini Baked Feta Pasta. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

    With its creamy cheese center and tender noodles, it makes weeknights more special. Palmini Baked Feta Pasta presents a comforting dish with minimal effort. Embodying the essence of Italian dining, it's uncomplicated yet undeniably delicious.
    Get the Recipe: Palmini Baked Feta Pasta

    Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback

    Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback on a baking tray.
    Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

    Get ready for an entrée that's as visually appealing as it is tasty. Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback adds a fun twist to your meal. Fresh ingredients stuffed into juicy chicken highlights Italian simplicity at its finest.
    Get the Recipe: Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback

    Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast

    A white bowl with slow cooker Italian pork roast, potatoes and carrots.
    Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

    Let your kitchen fill with the aromas of herbs and slow-cooked meat. Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast is a testament to the beauty of set-it-and-forget-it meals. Tender pork infused with Italian herbs makes every bite a celebration.
    Get the Recipe: Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast

    Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

    Pieces of chicken on a plate of spaghetti.
    Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

    Crispy, golden, and oozing with cheese, it's a classic made easy. Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan takes a familiar favorite and gives it a modern twist. Perfect when you want Italian comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

    The Best Gluten-Free Focaccia

    The Best Gluten-Free Focaccia. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    No one should miss out on the joy of fresh bread, not even those on a gluten-free diet. The Best Gluten-Free Focaccia is fluffy, aromatic, and just as good as its wheat counterpart. Italian baking proves its versatility and charm, even when it's gluten-free.
    Get the Recipe: The Best Gluten-Free Focaccia

    Minestrone Soup with Sausage

    Minestrone Soup with Sausage in white bowl with spoonful.
    Minestrone Soup with Sausage. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Hearty, wholesome, and brimming with everything good. Minestrone Soup with Sausage is your bowlful of Italian nourishment. A soup that's a meal in itself can only come from a tradition that loves its food deeply.
    Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup with Sausage

    Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu

    a plate of slow cooker lamb ragu over pappardelle pasta surrounded by a block of parmesan, a white linen, and torn baguette.
    Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

    Experience the tender, fall-apart meat simmered in a rich sauce all day long. Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu is perfect for when you want a meal that's heartwarming and fuss-free. It's a slow-cooked Italian classic that reminds you why patience is often rewarded in the kitchen.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu

    Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

    Marry Me Chicken Meatballs. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    You might just get a proposal when you serve these juicy meatballs. Marry Me Chicken Meatballs blend romantic flavors with Italian charm. Every bite is like a love letter to those who appreciate simple home cooking.
    Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

    Creamy One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

    Creamy One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Filled with ease and creaminess, dinner can't get more comforting than this. Creamy One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta is a creamy, cheesy wonder. Few dishes say 'Italian home cooking' like a pot of pasta that takes almost no time to make.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

    Burrata Salad with Balsamic Glaze

    burrata salad with balsamic glaze including spring mix, basil leaves, halved cherry tomatoes, drizzled with balsamic glaze and olive oil.
    Burrata Salad with Balsamic Glaze. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

    Bursting with freshness and a creamy heart that surprises. Burrata Salad with Balsamic Glaze is elegance in a salad. Just a few quality ingredients can create a dish that is both simple and profoundly enjoyable.
    Get the Recipe: Burrata Salad with Balsamic Glaze

    Low Carb Gnocchi with Bacon and Cream Sauce

    Gnocchi with Bacon and Cream Sauce served on a white plate.
    Low Carb Gnocchi with Bacon and Cream Sauce. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

    For those looking after their carbs, here's a dish that doesn't compromise on indulgence. Low Carb Gnocchi with Bacon and Cream Sauce marries indulgence with health. Bite-sized gnocchi in a decadent sauce proves you can have it all.
    Get the Recipe: Low Carb Gnocchi with Bacon and Cream Sauce

    Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken

    Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken inside cast iron.
    Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

    It's all about fresh flavors coming together in the oven. Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken is like a Caprese salad met a chicken dinner. Weekend dinner just got a fresh twist with this effortlessly tasty dish.
    Get the Recipe: Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken

    Bacon Fathead Pizza Dough

    Keto Bacon Fathead Pizza with fresh basil leaves.
    Bacon Fathead Pizza Dough. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

    Who says you can't enjoy pizza on a special diet? Bacon Fathead Pizza Dough takes low carb to the next level with a crispy bacon edge. Italian pizza has never been so guilt-free and delicious at the same time.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon Fathead Pizza Dough

    Low Carb Gnocchi Tomato Basil

    Brown plate with gnocci, tomatoes and basil leaves.
    Low Carb Gnocchi Tomato Basil. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

    Here's to enjoying Italian staples without the carb load. Low Carb Gnocchi Tomato Basil keeps it light and fresh. Classic flavors come together in a dish that's both comforting and easy on the waistline.
    Get the Recipe: Low Carb Gnocchi Tomato Basil

    About Kristen Wood

    Kristen Wood is a writer, photographer, world traveler and cookbook author. Her work has been featured in various publications both online and in print, including Elle, Forbes, NBC, Chicago Sun-Times, Martha Stewart, Food Drink Life, Arizona Highways Magazine, New York Daily News, and more. She is also a syndicated writer for The Associated Press.

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




     

    Follow Us!

    • Pinterest

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Foodventures Abroad