Italian food is loved by many throughout the world, and for a good reason. Crispy pizzas, creamy pasta – there are so many different Italian recipes to try. So many to learn to prepare at home!

Here’s a collection of simple Italian recipes to bring Italy into your home.

Italian Recipes to Try:

Pie Iron Calzones

This easy pizza recipe makes 2 to 3 calzones and works with either a sandwich press or a pie iron.

Ingredients

  • Pre-made pizza dough
  • Pizza sauce
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Sliced pepperoni

Method

  1. Grease your pie iron, then stretch out your pizza dough so that it covers both sides.
  2. Spread out the sauce, shredded cheese, and pepperoni on one side of the dough.
  3. Close and lock your pie iron, trimming off any excess dough with a knife (otherwise, it will burn in the fire).
  4. Cook over hot coals or an open flame for about 5 to 10 minutes. Rotate the pie iron continually so that all sides are cooked evenly.

 

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Mushroom Risotto

This Italian recipe serves 4 people.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup Arborio rice
  • 1/4 cup white wine (optional, otherwise use extra stock, see below)
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

  1. Sauté the diced onion and mushrooms in the oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter till soft.
  2. Stir in the half cup of Arborio rice and cook for about 2 minutes (add the wine early if it dries out).
  3. Add the wine or one cup of stock. Stir well, letting the rice simmer for a few minutes.
  4. Add the rest of the stock, stir, and cover. Let the rice simmer for another 25 minutes or till cooked.
  5. Taste test, adding salt and pepper, if desired.
  6. Remove the risotto from the stove and stir in the parmesan, fresh parsley, and the other 2 tablespoons of butter. Serve warm.

Bruschetta

This tasty appetizer serves 4 people.

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf of bread (a baguette, or any rustic bread), thickly sliced
  • Several garlic cloves
  • Olive oil
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • 1/4 cup diced onion
  • Fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Balsamic glaze (optional)

Method

  1. Rub the sliced bread with the garlic cloves along the cut sides.
  2. Drizzle the bread with olive oil and then either grill in a pan till toasted or bake at 400 F till lightly golden. Spread your toasted slices on a serving dish.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the diced tomato and onion along with the basil leaves. If desired, add salt and pepper and then put a scoop of the veggie mixture on top of each bread slice.
  4. If you wish, you can finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Note: Some alternate toppings you could try are:

  • Sautéed mushrooms with garlic, chilis, and thyme
  • Grilled zucchini or eggplant with garlic and peppers
  • Caramelized onions with cheese

Tiramisu

This recipe makes 15 servings.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups strong espresso
  • 1/2 cup dark rum
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup sugar (granulated)
  • 16 ounces mascarpone cheese (at room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups heavy cream
  • 2 packets of ladyfingers (about 14 ounces)
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)

Method

  1. Pour the espresso into a shallow dish, and add the rum. Set aside (you’ll use this for dunking ladyfingers later).
  2. Using a bain-marie over medium heat, put the egg yolks and sugar in the top pot. Whisk steadily for about 10 minutes till the mixture thickens and gets lighter in color. Remove from heat and let cool a bit.
  3. Whip the heavy cream till it forms firm peaks, then set aside.
  4. Put the mascarpone cheese and vanilla in a separate bowl, then add the egg mixture and whip till smooth.
  5. Gently fold your whipped cream into the cheese mixture with a spatula. Continue to fold gently till the mixture is even.
  6. Dunk each ladyfinger quickly in the espresso and then arrange them in a single layer at the bottom of your 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
  7. Now spread half of the cream mixture over the ladyfingers with a spatula.
  8. Make another layer of dipped ladyfingers and top with the rest of the cream mixture. Place the dish in the fridge (uncovered) and chill for at least 4 hours (cover with plastic after 4 hours if chilling overnight).
  9. Just before serving, sprinkle a layer of cocoa powder over the top of the tiramisu using a sifter. Serve and enjoy!


Enjoy and don’t forget to let us know if you tried any of these Italian recipes at home!

 

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