20 Italian Recipes That Always Taste Like Comfort

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Italian food has a way of making any meal feel like a celebration — cozy, comforting, and packed with flavor. This roundup of 20 Italian recipes brings all the favorites to your table, from creamy fettuccine Alfredo and cheesy sausage lasagna to oven-baked meatballs and chicken Parmesan. You’ll also find fresh, vibrant ideas like roasted cherry tomatoes, red tomato pesto, and quick batch pesto that transform simple pasta into something unforgettable. Whether you’re craving a hearty classic or a light and fresh dish, these recipes deliver the best of Italian cooking.

Tomato Basil Sauce

With just three simple ingredients, this Tomato Basil Sauce recipe will quickly become a go-to. It’s so easy to make and tastes incredible, you’ll never need another tomato sauce recipe! Perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Sauce

Escarole Soup

Warm up with a bowl of this healthy and flavorful Escarole Soup! This Italian classic is packed with escarole, pasta, and parmesan, making it a satisfying and comforting meal. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Get the Recipe: Escarole Soup

Chicken Marsala

This Chicken Marsala recipe brings the taste of Italy right to your dinner table. Tender chicken cutlets are simmered in a rich Marsala wine sauce with mushrooms and pancetta, creating a dish that’s both comforting and elegant. Serve over pasta or mashed potatoes for a complete and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marsala

Chicken Francaise

Chicken Francaise features tender chicken cutlets coated in flour and pan-fried to a golden brown. Served in a light and flavorful lemon white wine sauce, this dish is quick, easy, and family-friendly. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Francaise

Lemon Fish Piccata

This Lemon Fish Piccata recipe is a guaranteed weeknight winner, ready in just 30 minutes! Flaky fish fillets are cooked to perfection in a bright and flavorful lemon-caper sauce. Serve over pasta or with a side of vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Fish Piccata

Cheesy Italian Sausage Lasagna

lasagna with stretchy cheese being lift from a pan — Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This cheesy Italian sausage lasagna is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners or potlucks. With layers of rich tomato sauce, creamy cheese, and savory sausage, it’s a comforting and satisfying dish. Follow the easy recipe for a lasagna that’s bursting with flavor!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Italian Sausage Lasagna

Pasta Fagioli alla Veneta

Warm up with a bowl of Pasta Fagioli alla Veneta, a comforting Italian soup featuring pancetta, pasta, and cannellini beans. This hearty and flavorful dish is perfect for a cozy night in, made easily in one pot on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. Top with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for the ultimate comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Fagioli alla Veneta

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

This Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken recipe is perfect for a quick and easy dinner that the whole family will love! With just 30 minutes, you can have a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired meal on the table. The sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of Mediterranean flavor, making this dish a delicious and satisfying choice.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

The Best Fettuccine Alfredo of Your Life

Fettuccine Alfredo being placed in a bowl with tongs — Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Craving a comforting and quick Italian dish? This Fettuccine Alfredo recipe promises to be the best you’ve ever tasted, ready in minutes! With a simple yet spectacular sauce, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: The Best Fettuccine Alfredo of Your Life

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

These roasted cherry tomatoes are a simple yet delicious way to elevate any meal. With just a few ingredients like olive oil, oregano, and garlic, these tomatoes burst with flavor when roasted to perfection. They’re a versatile addition to salads, pasta, or as a side dish.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Spaghetti with Spinach Sauce

Spaghetti with green sauce on a plate — Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Looking for a quick and healthy weeknight meal? This Spaghetti with Spinach Sauce is a vibrant, cheesy, and creamy pasta dish that’s ready in minutes. It’s a low-calorie and flavorful way to enjoy a classic Italian favorite.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with Spinach Sauce

Tortellini Alfredo

This Tortellini Alfredo recipe is a quick and easy meal that’s ready in no time! It’s packed with pancetta, spinach, and a creamy homemade Alfredo sauce. This dish is sure to be a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Alfredo

Red Tomato Pesto

This Red Tomato Pesto recipe is a quick and easy way to add a burst of flavor to any dish. Made with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and fresh herbs, this vibrant sauce is perfect for pasta, seafood, or as a spread for sandwiches. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious, homemade pesto in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Red Tomato Pesto

Oven Baked Meatballs

These oven-baked meatballs are a simple and delicious way to enjoy a classic comfort food. The recipe uses a combination of ground beef, bread crumbs, and Parmesan cheese to create juicy, flavorful meatballs that are perfect for pasta dishes, sandwiches, or as an appetizer. They are also healthier since it’s baked and not fried!
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Meatballs

Pasta With Zucchini

This Pasta with Zucchini recipe is a must-try! Tender zucchini in a light broth served over perfectly al dente pasta, it’s a comforting and flavorful dish that’s quick to make and perfect for a weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Pasta With Zucchini

Easy Spinach Mushroom Frittata

This Easy Spinach Mushroom Frittata is a quick and simple dish that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light lunch. Packed with fresh spinach and mushrooms, this frittata is a flavorful and healthy vegetarian option that’s ready in under 30 minutes. This recipe is sure to become a family favorite!
Get the Recipe: Easy Spinach Mushroom Frittata

Classic Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan with pasta on a plate — Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This crispy, golden Chicken Parmesan is better than takeout! Topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, this classic Italian dish is easy to make and perfect for a comforting family dinner. Serve with pasta or a side salad for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Classic Chicken Parmesan

Tuna Pasta

a close up image of Easy Shrimp Pasta with black olives — Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Looking for a quick and easy dinner? This Tuna Pasta is the perfect choice! Made with pantry staples like canned tuna, olives, and your favorite pasta, it’s a budget-friendly and flavorful meal that’s ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Pasta

Quick & Easy Batch Pesto

Pesto in a glass jar — Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This Quick & Easy Batch Pesto is a vibrant, versatile sauce that will elevate any dish. Made with fresh basil, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese, it’s perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a zesty dip. Ready in minutes, this pesto is your new go-to for adding a burst of Italian flavor to your meals.
Get the Recipe: Quick & Easy Batch Pesto

Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce

Cheery tomato sauce on spaghetti being twirled on a fork. — Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Looking for a quick and easy pasta sauce? This recipe for Cherry Tomato Sauce is super simple to make and is a great way to use up fresh tomatoes. Ready in minutes, it’s perfect for a weeknight meal!
Get the Recipe: Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce