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Best Summer Italian Recipes

  • Basil Pesto Sauce

    15 min
    Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
    Classic, simple basil pesto recipe with fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Romano or Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and salt and pepper.
  • Casserole dish of baked eggplant parmesan

    3 hrs, 45 min
    Vegetarian
    Classic for a reason, Italian baked Eggplant Parmesan is comfort food at its best. Breaded eggplant slices are layered with mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, and tomato sauce, and baked until bubbly.
  • Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil

    35 min
    Vegan, Vegetarian
    Bruschetta with tomato and basil! Chopped fresh tomatoes with garlic, basil, olive oil, and vinegar, served on toasted slices of French or Italian bread.
  • frutti di mare seafood salad

    40 min
    Healthy
    A classic Italian mixed seafood salad made with calamari, shrimp, clams and scallops, dressed with olive oil and lemon.
  • Summer Minestrone

    50 min
    Gluten-Free, Healthy
    Minestrone soup featuring fresh summer garden vegetables! With zucchini, tomatoes, green beans, celery, bell pepper, chicken stock, white beans, and pasta. It's summer in a soup!
  • Pasta Primavera

    30 min
    Vegan, Vegetarian
    Pasta primavera with sautéed fresh seasonal vegetables in a quick marinara sauce.
  • Panzanella Bread Salad in a glass serving bowl

    45 min
    Vegan, Vegetarian
    Got ripe summer tomatoes? Got day-old bread? Make this classic Tuscan Panzanella Salad recipe! This is a great make-ahead recipe for a summer potluck or backyard party, or make it for dinner and serve with grilled chicken.
  • Caprese salad

    10 min
    Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
    Italian caprese salad is a summer classic! Make it extra special with heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella. This is the BEST way to enjoy summer tomatoes.
  • White Bean Tomato Salad

    35 min
    Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
    White bean and cherry tomato salad with a dressing of rosemary infused olive oil, garlic, Parmesan, anchovies, and lemon.
  • Steak Salad

    31 min
    Gluten-Free
    Grilled steak salad with arugula salad and flaky Parmesan Cheese! A simple, fresh summer meal in the Italian tradition. Best eaten outside with friends and a bottle of wine.

Recent Italian Recipes & Ideas

  • Casserole dish of baked eggplant parmesan

    3 hrs, 45 min
    Vegetarian
    Classic for a reason, Italian baked Eggplant Parmesan is comfort food at its best. Breaded eggplant slices are layered with mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, and tomato sauce, and baked until bubbly.
  • Three photos of pesto side by side. To the left is sun-dried tomato pesto. In the middle is kale pesto and to the right is a photo of carrot top pesto.

    If your garden is bursting with fresh herbs and vegetables, now is the time to make ALL THE PESTO! Don’t limit yourself to basil pesto. Try mint, parsley, arugula, kale and even carrot top pesto. It freezes beautifully so you can enjoy your garden bounty all year long.
  • Side view of a plate of one pot chicken pasta dinner. A large skillet is behind the plate of pasta and grape tomatoes, basil and seasoning are in the upper right.

    1 hr, 5 min
    Healthy
    This quick and easy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Skillet is a one-pot noodle dish made with simple, yet flavorful ingredients. Marinated chicken breast is tossed with tender spaghetti, tomatoes, artichokes, olives, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and herbs. It’s the perfect easy weekday meal!
  • A wine glass with an Aperol spritz cocktail inside.

    3 min
    The effervescent Aperol Spritz is here for your summer enjoyment! Made with Aperol, Prosecco, and a splash of soda water, this sparkling cocktail can be enjoyed before dinner, or anytime!
  • Side view of an italian sandwich on a platter that is cut into slices. Meat, cheese and toppings are layered on the sandwich.

    15 min
    Looking for a sandwich to make for a quick weeknight dinner, take to your next backyard BBQ or simply divide, wrap, and eat for lunch throughout the week? Well, this Italian Super Sub Sandwich is the answer. It’s loaded with salami, turkey breast, pepperoni, and, of course, banana peppers.
  • Panzanella Bread Salad in a glass serving bowl

    45 min
    Vegan, Vegetarian
    Got ripe summer tomatoes? Got day-old bread? Make this classic Tuscan Panzanella Salad recipe! This is a great make-ahead recipe for a summer potluck or backyard party, or make it for dinner and serve with grilled chicken.
  • Easy focaccia bread with rosemary baked and cooling on a cooling rack

    4 hrs, 50 min
    Homemade focaccia is simply the BEST! It's easy to make, but be sure to give yourself the afternoon. You'll be rewarded with a rich, rosemary-scented bread that feeds a crowd. Serve as an appetizer or as a side with soup, roasts, or braises.
  • Pasta Puttanesca

    40 min
    Pasta Puttanesca is a classic Italian pasta dish that's ready in under 40 minutes! Make it with canned tomato paste and crushed tomatoes, canned anchovies, jarred olives and capers. So simple and so good.
  • Baked Meatballs in Tomato Sauce served in a bowl

    1 hr, 25 min
    These classic Italian-American style meatballs are huge and pillowy soft! They're mixed with ground beef and pork, loaded with herbs and cheese, and served with a traditional tomato sauce. Make them baseball-sized for a dinner entree, or roll them smaller for an appetizer.
  • Horizontal view of white plate with slice of small batch lasagna and garnished with chopped parsley. A partial view of the baked lasagna in the glass pan is to the right of the plate. Above the plate to the left is a small bowl of lettuce and a tumbler. A fork is on the left of the plate.

    1 hr, 5 min
    This small-batch weeknight lasagna comfortably serves two and is ready in half the time as a larger batch. Loaf Pan Lasagna is layered with chunky pieces of sausage and rustic-but-quick tomato sauce.
  • easy chicken alfredo with linguine

    25 min
    Homemade alfredo on a weeknight? Yes! You can have this super kid-friendly Chicken Alfredo on the table in 25 minutes. Rotisserie chicken makes it a snap, or you could use leftover chicken.
  • Cheesy Bruschetta Chicken Cutlets in a stainless steel skillet

    15 min
    Gluten-Free
    QUICK and EASY cheesy bruschetta chicken cutlets! Ready in 15 minutes flat. Chicken cutlets topped with canned tomatoes, garlic, mozzarella and parmesan cheese!
  • Best Garlic Bread EVER on a round plate

    18 min
    Here's how to make the BEST garlic bread! Two classic garlic bread methods: toasted and crisped under the broiler, the other soft from being wrapped in aluminum foil and heated in the oven.
  • A loaf of homemade panettone in a paper mold with a slice cut out with a wreath around the base.

    15 hrs, 55 min
    Make the holidays extra special with a homemade loaf of panettone. This enriched Italian Christmas bread—dotted with rum-soak dried fruit, citrus, and almonds—is easy to make at home with the time-saving tip of letting it rise overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage and Kale

    30 min
    This Sausage and Kale Orecchiette is a great weeknight meal. It uses just a few ingredients and can be made quickly. Great for kids, too!
  • Misha and Vicki Collins with their kids and Emma Christensen making gnocchi

    1 hr, 40 min
    Vegetarian
    How do you raise an adventurous eater? One who loves veggies and trying new foods? We've got 5 great tips from Vicki and Misha Collins and their new cookbook The Adventurous Eaters Club, plus a VIDEO of making beet gnocchi together!
  • Italian wedding in a bowl with a spoon.

    1 hr
    This comforting and classic Italian soup is made with pork and beef meatballs, greens, and tiny pasta. It's ready in about an hour from start to finish, great for a weeknight meal!
  • Bolognese Sauce

    3 hrs, 45 min
    This classic Italian sauce simmers for hours to develop maximum flavor. Made with a blend of ground beef, pork, and Italian sausage, it's great with fresh tagliatelle or fettuccine, pappardelle, or other pasta.
  • Spaghetti and Meatballs

    1 hr
    Spaghetti and meatballs is such a comfort food classic! The meatballs are made from ground beef and Italian sausage, served with a sauce with mushrooms, onions, basil, and Parmesan. Dig in!
  • A beautiful fast bolognese sauce on a blue patterned plate with noodles and fork.

    40 min
    Rich, meaty Bolognese Sauce is easy to make and can be on the table in 35 minutes. Use it to top pasta noodles, or layer in lasagna. It’s freezer-friendly too. Make a double or triple batch to enjoy all winter long!
  • Baked Chicken Parmesan bake the chicken in the oven in a casserole dish

    50 min
    Chicken Parmesan is a classic for a reason! Chicken cutlets, breaded and fried, smothered with tomato sauce, and covered with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses are so good. Serve with pasta or on a roll.
  • Vegetarian Lasagna

    2 hrs, 5 min
    Vegetarian
    Vegetarian Lasagna to feed a crowd! This one is filled with meaty shiitake and cremini mushrooms, spinach, and ricotta and Mozzarella cheeses. Your vegetarian and meat-eating guests will fight for seconds.
  • Cacio e Pepe with black pepper - spaghetti noodles in a white bowl with black pepper.

    30 min
    Vegetarian
    Cacio e pepe is the most divine pasta dish made with simple, high quality ingredients. Tender noodles tossed in a two-cheese blend and a hint of cream ensure luscious forkfuls. Freshly cracked black pepper adds tiny spicy bursts of flavor with each bite.
  • Fettuccine Alfredo

    30 min
    Vegetarian
    Fettuccine Alfredo two ways: with cream and nutmeg, or with butter and Parmesan! Try it both ways and decide which one you like the best!
  • Chicken Panzanella Recipe - big bowl of colorful panzanella

    30 min
    Dairy-Free
    Who knew stale bread could be so good? This Chicken Panzanella Salad with bread, tomatoes, and shredded chicken is the perfect dinner for a hot summer night. Easy, delicious, and good enough to eat on its own!

All Italian Recipes

Most viewed
Most pinned Most recent
  • Lasagana Recipe in large baking glass

    1 hr, 45 min
    This classic lasagna is made with an easy meat sauce as the base. Layer the sauce with noodles and cheese, then bake until bubbly! This is great for feeding a big family, and freezes well, too.
  • Baked Ziti

    1 hr, 5 min
    Baked Ziti - classic Italian American comfort food of pasta baked with sausage, tomato sauce and all kinds of gooey, yummy cheeses. So EASY and so good!
  • Basil Pesto Sauce

    15 min
    Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
    Classic, simple basil pesto recipe with fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Romano or Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and salt and pepper.
  • Homemade Pizza

    2 hrs, 30 min
    Classic homemade pizza recipe, including pizza dough and toppings, step-by-step instructions with photos. Make perfect pizza at home!
  • Side view of a plate of one pot chicken pasta dinner. A large skillet is behind the plate of pasta and grape tomatoes, basil and seasoning are in the upper right.

    1 hr, 5 min
    Healthy
    This quick and easy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Skillet is a one-pot noodle dish made with simple, yet flavorful ingredients. Marinated chicken breast is tossed with tender spaghetti, tomatoes, artichokes, olives, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and herbs. It’s the perfect easy weekday meal!
  • Horizontal view of white plate with slice of small batch lasagna and garnished with chopped parsley. A partial view of the baked lasagna in the glass pan is to the right of the plate. Above the plate to the left is a small bowl of lettuce and a tumbler. A fork is on the left of the plate.

    1 hr, 5 min
    This small-batch weeknight lasagna comfortably serves two and is ready in half the time as a larger batch. Loaf Pan Lasagna is layered with chunky pieces of sausage and rustic-but-quick tomato sauce.
  • Pasta Carbonara ready to serve

    30 min
    Spaghetti Pasta Carbonara—indulgent and delicious, yet so easy! Pasta carbonara takes only 30 min start to finish! Learn how to make carbonara sauce with bacon or pancetta and loads of parmesan.
  • Casserole dish of baked eggplant parmesan

    3 hrs, 45 min
    Vegetarian
    Classic for a reason, Italian baked Eggplant Parmesan is comfort food at its best. Breaded eggplant slices are layered with mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, and tomato sauce, and baked until bubbly.
  • Chicken Piccata

    20 min
    Easy Chicken Piccata! Takes 20 minutes to make. Chicken breast cutlets, dredged in flour, browned, served with sauce of butter, lemon juice, capers, and stock or wine.
  • Best Garlic Bread EVER on a round plate

    18 min
    Here's how to make the BEST garlic bread! Two classic garlic bread methods: toasted and crisped under the broiler, the other soft from being wrapped in aluminum foil and heated in the oven.
  • Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil

    35 min
    Vegan, Vegetarian
    Bruschetta with tomato and basil! Chopped fresh tomatoes with garlic, basil, olive oil, and vinegar, served on toasted slices of French or Italian bread.
  • Basic Tomato Sauce

    40 min
    Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    A good tomato sauce is the basis for so many dishes—pizza, pasta, chicken, and fish. Here is a delicious basic tomato sauce recipe. Marinara sauce.
  • Lemon artichoke pasta with spinach

    30 min
    Vegetarian
    There are never enough pasta recipes, right? Here's a quick one that combines creamy ricotta, spinach, and artichoke hearts, topped a crunchy mix of breadcrumbs and almonds.
  • Vegetarian Lasagna

    2 hrs, 5 min
    Vegetarian
    Vegetarian Lasagna to feed a crowd! This one is filled with meaty shiitake and cremini mushrooms, spinach, and ricotta and Mozzarella cheeses. Your vegetarian and meat-eating guests will fight for seconds.
  • Garlic Knots

    4 hrs, 14 min
    A classic Italian pizzeria snack, garlic knots are strips of pizza dough tied in a knot, baked and then topped with melted butter, garlic and parsley.
  • Chocolate Florentine Cookies

    30 min
    Chocolate Florentine Cookies! Lacy, nutty, toffee-like cookies sandwiched with a layer of chocolate in the middle. We include lots of great tips to help make them a success!
  • Cioppino

    1 hr, 15 min
    Gluten-Free, Low Carb, Paleo
    Best seafood stew EVER! San Francisco-style Cioppino with halibut, sea bass, Dungeness crab, shrimp, and mussels.
  • Baked Meatballs in Tomato Sauce served in a bowl

    1 hr, 25 min
    These classic Italian-American style meatballs are huge and pillowy soft! They're mixed with ground beef and pork, loaded with herbs and cheese, and served with a traditional tomato sauce. Make them baseball-sized for a dinner entree, or roll them smaller for an appetizer.

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