Want to know more about Italian food? Italian cuisine is one of the most famous internationally, especially thanks to classic dishes such as lasagna, pizza and spaghetti bolognese.

Below is a list of 25 traditional Italian dishes, along with some brief information about Italian cuisine.

Lasagne

After pizza, lasagna is probably the most famous dish in Italian cuisine.

Lasagna, also called lasagna in Italy, is a dish made of layers of flat pasta and made with minced meat, tomato sauce, vegetables, cheese and various spices. The dish is covered with grated cheese and baked in the oven.

Ossobuco alla Milani

Osobucco alla Milani is a traditional Italian stew that comes from Milan. It is made from veal, vegetables, spices and white wine.

The stew is usually served with risotto “risotto alla Milanese”, another popular Italian dish.

prosciutto

Air-dried Italian ham prosciutto is a big part of Italian food. It is used in many local dishes, but can also be served as an appetizer.

Prosciutto is used, for example, in pasta dishes, sandwiches and pizza.

Ribollita

Ribolita is from Tuscany, Italy and is a very good vegetable soup. It is made from bread, beans, cabbage and vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, celery and onions.

spaghetti with mussels

Spaghetti with mussels is one of Italy’s most popular pasta dishes, which comes from the southern part of the country. This dish includes spaghetti, olive oil, garlic, parsley, white wine, tomatoes and clams.

This is a very good pasta dish that is a must try in Italy.

veal roll

Saltimboca is a dish made of veal wrapped in prosciutto and sage.

The meat can be marinated in wine, salt water or oil. Anyway, Saltimboca alla Romana is a basic recipe and then the meat is marinated in it. Dry white wine and butter.

disease

It is an Italian snack consisting of rice balls coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Rice balls are usually filled with minced meat in tomato sauce, mozzarella or ham.

The method of making arancini may vary by region. The biggest difference is in the filling and size.

ravioli

If you like pasta, ravioli is a dish to try. It’s a type of pasta filled with a variety of delicious toppings, including cheese and spinach.

Ravioli are usually served with broth or a good sauce.

polenta

Polenta is a coarse porridge made from coarsely ground or finely ground corn. Ground cornmeal is cooked in water or broth and served as a side dish to many different Italian dishes.

Pizza

Pizza is the dish for which Italy is best known internationally and is now eaten all over the world.

Italian pizza consists of a round dough topped with tomatoes, cheese and various other ingredients such as mushrooms, onions, olives and meat etc. Pizza is traditionally baked in a wood-fired oven at high temperatures.

If the pizza is served in a fancy restaurant and is not cut into slices, you can eat it with a knife and fork. If the pizza is served in slices, eat it with your hands.

risotto

It is an Italian dish made from rice cooked in a good broth.

A variety of broths can be used to make risotto, including meat, fish, and vegetable broths. Many risotto recipes also include butter, onion, white wine and Parmesan cheese.

Risotto is usually served as an appetizer, but it can also be served as a main course. Risotto alla Milanese is usually served with ossobuco alla Milanese.

truffle

A truffle, also known as a tartufa in Italy, is a type of mushroom that grows underground. There are about 8 different types of truffles in the country – including Alba and Perigord truffles.

It is an ingredient used in many Italian dishes that gives a very nice and special taste.

Cake

Focaccia is an oven-baked bread that is served as a side dish to various Italian dishes. The bread is also popular for making good sandwiches.

Italian vegetable and pasta soup

A thick soup made from broth, vegetables and pasta or rice. Common vegetables in minestrone recipes include onions, celery, carrots, tomatoes and beans.

There is really no recipe for making the right minestrone. Usually you just take what you have at home to make this soup.

It can be made vegetarian or with meat.

carbonara

Another great pasta dish from Italy is carbonara. It is usually made with spaghetti, but fettuccine, rigatoni, linguine and bucatini can also be used.

Pasta is made from pork, eggs, salt, pepper and cheese. Pecorino or Parmesan cheese is the most common cheese used to make carbonara.

tortellini

Another good pasta is tortellini. It is shaped like pasta rings and is traditionally filled with meat, parmesan cheese, egg and nutmeg. In any case, there are other types of tortellini loaded with, e.g. ricotta and spinach.

Tortellini are traditionally served in a nice and tasty broth.

Florentine steak

Bistecca alla Fiorentina is an Italian steak that is popular to eat in Tuscany. The meat usually comes from veal (vitelone) or heifer (scotona).

The meat is grilled on charcoal or wood and served with a little blood.

Soccer players

Cacciatore is a good stew made with chicken or rabbit with onions, tomatoes, peppers and various spices. The ingredients are boiled for at least 1 hour until the meat is really tender and tasty.

Soccer players Usually served with Italian bread or pasta.

Caprese

Caprese, also known as insalata caprese, is an Italian dish made with mozzarella, basil, tomato, salt and olive oil.

The dish has beautiful colors, like the Italian flag. The name comes from the island of Capri, where the dish is said to come from.

Caprese is usually served as an appetizer (antipasto) or as a side dish (contorno).

Pasta and beans

Pasta e fagioli is another traditional Italian soup. It’s a dish that can vary greatly from region to region, but is traditionally made with pasta and beans.

Other common ingredients for pasta and fagioli include garlic, olive oil, onions, carrots, celery and tomatoes.

It is an Italian dish that can be made vegetarian or with meat.

Bruschetta

Bruschetta is one of my favorite dishes in Italy. It is toasted bread served with various fillings such as tomato, basil, mushroom, olive or cheese.

One of my favorite variations of bruschetta is made with tomato, basil, garlic and olive oil. It is a heavenly combination that is very easy to prepare at home.

Bruschetta is usually served as an appetizer.

gnocchi

Gnocchi are small dumplings, which e.g. Potato, wheat flour or semolina. In Italy, they are served as an appetizer, in soups or as a substitute for pasta.

pasta with tomato sauce

Pasta al pomodoro is a dish made of pasta, fresh tomatoes, olive oil, basil and other fine spices.

This is a very refreshing dish that is a true classic in Italian cuisine. When it comes to Italian food, Pasta al Pomodoro is a must try!

Bolognese cheeses

Bolognese, also known as Raga alla Bolognese in Italy, is a very classic dish loved by locals and tourists alike.

It is a sauce made of minced meat, tomato sauce, chopped vegetables and spices.

This is a very nice sauce that is usually served with fresh tagliatelle pasta. Ragù alla bolognese is also used in many other traditional Italian dishes, including lasagna.

pesto

Pesto comes from Genoa, Italy and is a sauce made from basil, parmesan, pine nuts, salt and olive oil.

It is a very good chutney that is served e.g. With pasta and bruschetta. It is very good and tasty.

More Italian food

Italian cuisine is very old and is characterized by its simple but heavenly good dishes. Many Italian dishes are usually prepared with only 2-4 main ingredients that are of high quality.

The ingredients of Italian food can vary from region to region. However, some of the main ingredients of Italian cuisine are; Pasta, potato, rice, corn, fish, tomatoes, basil, olive oil, garlic, sausage and ham.

Italian cheese and local wine are also important ingredients in Italian cuisine. It can be eaten and drunk on its own, but it is also widely used in various traditional dishes.

Do you have more questions about Italian food? Please leave a comment!