22 Italian Dishes Your Family Will Cheer For

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From cozy, saucy pasta dishes like spaghetti and meatballs to golden, cheesy baked eggplant Parmesan, and indulgent bowls of creamy shrimp Alfredo—these recipes celebrate the comfort and tradition of Italy’s most iconic meals. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just want to recreate your favorite trattoria vibes at home, these dishes deliver all the warmth and satisfaction of a home-cooked Italian meal.

Shrimp Alfredo

You’ll love this quick and easy Italian pasta dish featuring garlicky shrimp and fettuccine pasta drenched in a luxurious cream sauce.

Get The Recipe: Shrimp Alfredo

Lemon Orzo Soup

A comfort bowl of soup featuring orzo pasta, shredded chicken, and sliced carrots, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. A spoon rests on the side, and the dish is placed on a white marble surface. — Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Enjoy a fresh and zesty Lemon Orzo Soup packed with tender chicken, veggies, and pasta—it’s comfort food in a bowl! The best part is, it can be made stove top or in the slow cooker.

Get The Recipe: Lemon Orzo Soup

Chicken Francaise

Pan-fried golden brown, and finished in a vibrant lemon white wine sauce. It’s surprisingly easy to prepare and delivers a restaurant-worthy meal you can enjoy at home.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Francaise

Italian Sausage Sunday Sauce

Spaghetti and Italian Sausage with a block of cheese and grater in the background. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe is your gateway to Italian comfort food bliss. Packed with flavor and made with love, it proves that the best things are truly homemade.

Get The Recipe: Italian Sausage Sunday Sauce

Tuscan Salmon in Cream Sauce

Close-up of creamy Tuscan salmon fillets garnished with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. A golden fork slices through the flaky, saucy fish, unveiling its tender texture. The dish graces a white plate and is a standout among salmon recipes sure to impress. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Whip up this impressive Tuscan Salmon in Cream Sauce in just 30 minutes – a perfect weeknight meal!

Get The Recipe: Tuscan Salmon in Cream Sauce

Pasta E Fagioli Soup

a close up image of Pasta Fagioli Soup in a large pot. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Pasta Fagioli Soup is a classic Italian dish. This authentic and flavorful recipe provides a hearty, comforting meal sure to be loved by all.

Get The Recipe: Pasta Fagioli

Sausage and Egg Frittata

This easy frittata features sausage, peppers, onions, and a creamy cheese blend, all baked to golden perfection in a single pan.

Get The Recipe: Sausage and Egg Frittata

Easy Shrimp Scampi

A plate full of shrimp scampi and spaghetti sprinkled with fresh chopped parsley. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This simple Shrimp Scampi is made with garlic, butter, lemon, and white wine; it’s a timeless Italian favorite made wonderfully simple.

Get The Recipe: Shrimp Scampi

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Skip the jar! These homemade Italian meatballs are simmered in rich spaghetti sauce for a taste of authentic Italian comfort food.

Get The Recipe: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Italian Sausage and Peppers

This easy Italian sausage and peppers recipe can be made on the grill or in the oven. Serve in a roll, alongside pasta, or as a pizza topping.

Get The Recipe: Italian Sausage and Peppers

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

This Italian Baked Eggplant Parmesan recipe uses roasted eggplant instead of fried eggplant, creating a simple, cheesy vegetarian meal.

Get The Recipe: Baked Eggplant Parmesan

White Clam Sauce

Flavorful clams and robust pasta unite in a delightful white wine sauce, enhanced by zesty lemon and a dash of parsley. This dish adds a celebratory flair to any meal.

Get The Recipe: Clam Sauce

Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca

Create a delicious and hassle-free family meal with this Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca recipe! Made with pantry staples and ready in no time, it’s a simple dish that delivers big on flavor and satisfaction for the whole family.

Get The Recipe: Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca

Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce

a close up image of a spoon scooping up a serving of tomato sauce from a pan. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe for Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce makes it super simple to whip up delicious spaghetti sauce from scratch right in your own kitchen!

Get The Recipe: Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce

Easy Pesto Sauce

A fork twirls spaghetti with green pesto sauce, garnished with grated cheese, against a white background, showcasing the elegance of restaurant-quality recipes.

Packed with vibrant, fresh basil flavor, this quick and easy Basil Pesto Recipe is a game-changer! Ready in minutes with minimal prep, it’s the perfect way to take any dish to the next level.

Get The Recipe: Easy Pesto Sauce

Penne Alla Vodka

Tender penne pasta bathes in a luxurious vodka cream sauce, ensuring every bite is a flavor explosion. This dish is surprisingly easy to make, yet impressive enough for a special occasion.

Get The Recipe: Penne Alla Vodka

Eggplant Pasta with Ricotta Pesto and Olives

A spoonful of pasta with penne, cherry tomatoes, olives, mushrooms, and herbs, topped with ricotta cheese captures the essence of Mediterranean recipes. In the background, a bowl brimming with more of this delightful pasta dish awaits. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Dive into the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with Creamy Eggplant Pasta topped with luscious Ricotta Pesto and briny Olives. Bursting with bold, delicious goodness, this quick and easy dish comes together in just 30 minutes—perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing your guests!

Get The Recipe: Eggplant Pasta with Ricotta Pesto and Olives

Tortellini Alfredo

A green bowl filled with tortellini pasta in a creamy Alfredo sauce, mixed with wilted spinach and small pieces of bacon. The dish appears rich and savory, promising to be a good indulgence for any meal. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Indulge your senses with this rich and flavorful pasta dish. Creamy garlic sauce mingles with salty pancetta, vibrant spinach, and your favorite pasta for a delightful interplay of textures and tastes. It’s a culinary adventure in every bite!

Get The Recipe: Tortellini Alfredo

Cheesy Italian Sausage Lasagna

A slice of cheesy lasagna is being lifted from a baking dish, showcasing layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese stretching impressively. A fresh basil leaf garnishes the appetizing slice, making it a star in the world of recipes. — Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This irresistible homemade lasagna is packed with layers of hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey, golden mozzarella. It’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for cozy family dinners or prepping delicious meals ahead of time!

Get The Recipe: Cheesy Italian Sausage Lasagna

Easy Saffron Risotto

a close up image of The cooked Saffron Risotto in a black pan with a wooden spoon — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

The luxurious flavor of saffron forms the base, while the lemon zest, parsley, and Parmesan cheese add a delightful finishing touch. Feel free to get creative and customize it with your favorite vegetables or seafood for a truly personalized dish.

Get The Recipe: Easy Saffron Risotto

Italian Meatloaf

Close-up of a sliced meatloaf made with ground beef, topped with melted cheese and tomato sauce, garnished with herbs in a white dish. Perfect for hearty recipes! — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Italian Meatloaf is like a cozy dinner party wrapped in a loaf! It mixes the heartwarming vibes of meatballs with a beefy embrace, Parmesan’s charm, and a splash of marinara sauce, before inviting melty mozzarella to crash the party. It’s so savory and cheesy, you might just find yourself in a food coma worthy of a snooze!

Get The Recipe: Italian Meatloaf

Chicken Marsala

This restaurant-worthy Chicken Marsala recipe transforms your kitchen into a little slice of Italy. Get ready to ditch takeout and savor the taste of homemade magic!

Get The Recipe: Chicken Marsala