When you’re coming up with Italian dinner ideas, your mind might automatically jump to the classics—a gooey lasagna, a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, or the traditional pizza night. But there are plenty of decadent and delicious recipes that don’t feature tomato sauce or a whole lot of carbs. (And plenty of creative ideas that take the carb-and-tomatoes combo to the next level!) Ahead, get inspired to bring a little Bella Napoli (or Rome or Sicily) home with you—even on the busiest weeknights.
Mushroom and Burrata Orzotto
Credit:
GREG DUPREE
Teeny-tiny orzo pasta gives you the same creamy vibe as a classic risotto, without all the work. Adding a dollop of gooey burrata on top adds to the lushness of this quick and easy meal.
Homemade Gnocchi
Credit:
Greg DuPree
If you’re in a pasta rut, this homemade gnocchi is just the thing to bust you out of it. The dough comes together with the flesh of roasted potatoes, eggs, and flour in a simple process that is also rewarding. Top it with the basil pesto recipe at the end or your favorite sauce and serve with warmed crusty bread and a glass of bold cabernet.
Fast Italian Fish Stew
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
For a fast and fresh Italian dinner idea (with no pasta in sight), try this flavorful stew bursting with cherry tomatoes and topped off with halibut.
Skillet Gnocchi With Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
Credit:
Greg DuPree
Nothing says Italian dinner night like gnocchi with fennel, sausage, and broccoli rabe. These typical Italian ingredients combine for a tender and golden gnocchi dish that’s as fresh and meaty as it is bitter (hello, broccoli rabe). If you don’t love fennel, swap it for sweet onions instead.
Shellfish Spaghetti
Credit:
Victor Protasio
Swap your meatballs for shellfish for a new take on pasta. But there’s another secret behind the sauce of this tasty pasta dish. Use store-bought marinara as a base, and mix in the cooking liquid from the clams, mussels, and shrimp to add potent flavor.
One-Pot Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup
Credit:
Carson Downing, Props: Lexi Juhl, Food: Kelsey Moylan
Adding Italian sausage to any soup will upgrade its Italy-factor. Make dish duty super easy with this hearty one-pot soup that features spinach, turkey sausage, tomatoes, and pillowy gnocchi. (Bonus: You can get this soup on the table in under 30 minutes.)
Cacio E Pepe
Credit: Getty Images
Sometimes the best pasta is simple with limited ingredients. Consider this a grownup take on Italian mac-and-cheese, with Pecorino and Parmesan cheese and pepper in lieu of the classic cheddar.
Black-Eyed Pea Ribollita
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
If you’re the kind of person who loves dipping bread or crackers into soup, this one’s for you! Black-eyed peas and greens simmer in a parmesan tomato broth then get covered in croutons and gooey cheese for a perfect finish.
Cheesy Sausage Pasta Bake with Brussels Sprouts
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
This flavorful Italian pasta bake is the perfect comfort food. Sausage and roasted Brussels sprouts get mixed in with rigatoni, and covered with Gruyere and Parmesan. Serve with your favorite bread.
Spinach Alfredo French Bread Pizza
Credit:
Greg DuPree
It takes just 10 minutes to put together this easy French bread pizza. And it’s a perfect Italian dinner idea for the busiest weeknights. Customize your toppings to freshen up your rotation.
Antipasto Salad
Credit: Victor Protasio
Make dinner easy on the hottest nights with this hearty salad. Prosciutto, melon, olives, mini burrata, and pistachios are mixed in with other salad veggies for a 15-minute meal that’s simple and satisfying.
Caprese Mac and Cheese
Credit:
Fred Hardy
Mix up the standard mac and cheese by adding olives and tomato slices. Swap out the traditional cheddar for mozzarella and a mix of Italian cheeses—yum!
Tortellini and Veggies en Brodo
Credit:
Greg DuPree
For this Tortellini en Brodo, you cook the tortellini right in the broth for extra flavor (and fewer dishes!). An array of veggies—peas, asparagus, and arugula—balance out the cheese-filled pasta.
Pesto Skillet Lasagna
Credit:
Fred Hardy,
Lasagna doesn’t have to be an intense labor of love. This skillet version cooks up in under an hour—and only dirties up a single pan. Use refrigerated or homemade pesto for the best flavor.
Honey-Drizzled Soppressata Pizza
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
Make your basic pizza more special. Here, you get a ton of bold flavor in every bite, with a drizzle of honey balancing out the spicy soppressata, peppery arugula, and a generous dash of red pepper flakes.
Italian Baked Eggs With Tomato Sauce
Credit: Jen Causey
Also known as “eggs in purgatory,” this dish calls for a sausage-filled sauce to gently cook the eggs. The mozzarella toast on the side is perfect for dipping.
Roasted Veggie Calzones
Credit:
Fred Hardy
You can thank beautiful Naples for inventing this go-anywhere version of pizza. If you don’t love the array of veggies we suggest, swap in your favorites. And go ahead and make up a big batch: You can save any leftovers in the freezer to quickly bake when you need dinner fast.
Zucchini Frittata With Parmesan
Credit: Sheri Giblin
Frittatas are easy, any-time-of-day meals. You can serve this egg-and-veggie combo for brunch, lunch, or dinner. If you don’t have Parmesan, use whatever cheese you have on hand.
No-Bake Summer Veggie Lasagna
Fred Hardy.
Don’t miss this light, summery version of lasagna, featuring sautéed cherry tomatoes and zucchini alongside creamy ricotta. (And bonus: You barely have to turn on the stove to make this dish.)
Artichoke-Chard Pasta and Cheese
Credit:
Greg DuPree
Think artichoke-spinach dip but as a dinner! Provolone cheese and cream cheese make it gooey, and panko bread crumbs on top give it a little extra crunch. Serve with a light salad for a complete meal.
Walnut Mushroom Bolognese
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
If you love Bolognese but you’re trying to eat a more plant-based diet, we have the perfect Italian dinner idea for you. Here, hearty mushrooms and walnuts take the place of the traditional ground beef and pork in the sauce.
Slow-Cooker Deep Dish Pizza
Credit:
Victor Protasio
You can take the pizza place off speed dial. This super-simple slow cooker pizza is a hands-off delight.
Baked Cod With Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers
Credit: Alison Miksch
Cod is a nice, mild fish, but how can you make it more Italian? Top it with capers, tomatoes, and olives to punch up the flavor.
Spicy Rigatoni Alla Vodka
Vodka sauce is a time-honored Italian classic, and the beauty is in its simplicity. But you can add in a little crushed red pepper to kick up the flavor in this super quick and easy version.
Sausage and Fontina Spaghetti Pie
Credit:
Victor Protasio
Try an over-the-top take on the standard spaghetti and meatballs that doesn’t take much more effort than the standard fare. (Mixing eggs into the vodka sauce helps the pie hold its shape.)
Pasta With Shrimp and Spicy Butter
Credit:
Greg DuPree
This Italian pasta dish is infused with a unique ingredient to give it its heat—Korean gochujang. Ruffly mafalde noodles make it look extra fancy, but fettuccine works just as well.
Instant Pot Risotto With Peas and Crispy Salami
Credit:
Greg DuPree
Break out the Instant Pot for this fast and easy risotto recipe. You cook the whole thing in the pot—so cleanup is a breeze, too. This calls for peas and salami, but any frozen veggie and protein will work.
Mini Squash Calzones
Credit: Greg DuPree
Calzones are a nice alternative to traditional pizza. Here, they are filled with butternut squash, an array of cheeses, and Swiss chard for a perfect fall or Italian winter meal.
Clam Pizza
Credit:
Fred Hardy
Clams on pizza? Yes. Think linguine with clam sauce—but make it pizza! Don’t forget the sprinkle of lemon zest, which adds a bit of freshness to a very rich and creamy pie.
Homemade Sicilian Pizza
Credit:
CHRISTOPHER TESTANI
For this Sicilian flatbread, puffy pizza dough is topped with luscious marinara, sweet delicata squash, meaty salami, and sharp pecorino Romano cheese. With only 45 minutes of prep time, this Italian pie is full of flavor and will delight your crew.
Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia
Credit:
Greg DuPree
Focaccia is an Italian staple. The bread, baked in a flat sheet pan, is left to rise at room temperature after you roll it out and before you pop it into the oven. It’ll take about one and a half to two hours to get soft and puffy. Once it is, you’ll bake it for about a half hour until it’s even puffier and golden. The final brush of olive oil infused with garlic and rosemary is what really makes this focaccia a crowd-pleaser.
Italian Sausage Burgers
Credit:
Greg DuPree
Try this weeknight Italian dinner recipe that you can cook up in just 15 minutes. The Italian sausage is removed from the casings to turn into patties that you’ll sear up and brown in a grill pan. Top with red onion, peppers, and melted provolone for a perfect and juicy combination.
Cornbread Panzanella
Credit: Greg DuPree
This bright twist on Panzanella has golden cornbread croutons mixed with soft avocado chunks, tangy red onion, a blend of heirloom and cherry tomatoes, refreshing cucumber, and irresistible mozzarella balls. While the salad is commonplace in the summertime, you can serve it year-round for a light Italian dinner.
Spaghetti Squash Alfredo
Credit:
Christopher Testani
If pasta isn’t your thing, you don’t have to miss out on something gooey and delightful. Spaghetti squash stands in for pasta in this healthier, plant-based take on the classic. Fresh parsley or basil leaves garnish the dish for added flavor and stunning presentation.
Supreme Pizza
Credit: David Prince
Using store-bought whole-wheat pizza dough cuts this recipe down to just 30 minutes—less time than it would take to get a supreme pie delivered! Cremini mushrooms, red bell pepper, red onions, and a sprinkling of melted Parmesan at the end of baking elevate this pizza to a gourmet level.
Skillet Ravioli Lasagna
Credit:
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Make Italian dinner night quick and easy with this ravioli lasagna mashup. The meal comes together in 30 minutes, thanks to refrigerated ravioli and jarred pasta sauce—and there’s no layering! Fortunately, it still tastes homemade with a rich, bubbly topping of ricotta and mozzarella.
Dining and Cooking