5 Italian Dishes Everyone Should Know How to Cook, According to an Italian Chef

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Ben Weiner

What’s for dinner? It’s the question we ask every night. I for one will always be in the mood for Italian food (give me cacio e pepe or a Neapolitan pizza any day of the week!). And because I grew up in a very Italian neighborhood, I was spoiled by all the choices of restaurants dishing out top-tier Italian food.

Of course I can’t always rely on restaurants when an Italian food craving hits, so it would be nice to re-create those dishes at home from time to time. So I spoke with Glenn Rolnick, chef at Carmine’s and director of culinary operations at Alicart Restaurant Group, to find out what staple Italian dishes everyone should know how to cook. Here’s what he had to say.

Italian Dishes Worth Making at Home

Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

1. Italian Meatballs

When you think of a classic Italian dish, it’s probably spaghetti and meatballs. “It’s one of those items you must lock down when cooking at home. Knowing the best ingredients and proper cooking technique will make everyone drool when they get to taste homemade Italian meatballs,” Rolnick says.

Credit: Laura Rege

2. Ragù Sauce (or Gravy)

Whether you call it ragù, gravy, or Sunday sauce, Rolnick says this is another Italian essential every home cook needs to master — and it goes perfectly with those meatballs. “Italian sausage, meatballs, pork braciole — and my favorite addition is roasted lamb neck bones. Use lots of fresh garlic, San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh basil, then finish with plenty of grated Pecorino Romano cheese.”

3. Garlic and Oil

“Not everyone is a red sauce lover, but there are [other] simple and delicious options [to dress your pasta]. Roasted garlic, olive oil, fresh basil, chicken stock, and some grated cheese, reduced properly, make a great sauce that pairs well with almost any pasta.”

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: James Park

4. Fresh Potato Gnocchi (or Fresh Pasta)

If you’re intimidated by making pasta at home, gnocchi is a great place to start. “Gnocchi is one of the easier fresh pastas to make at home. It’s a combination of egg pasta dough and finely mashed, cooked, and chilled russet or Idaho potatoes. It’s simple to roll out and cut like a pro, and just as simple to cook. They taste like little Italian dumplings.”

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

5. Breading for Chicken Cutlets

No one wants dry, bland chicken. “Knowing how to make a deliciously flavored and well-textured breading is critical when you want guests to enjoy your homemade cutlets. The breading should have great flavor without overpowering the chicken — you want to taste the garlic and cheese so it doesn’t just taste like bread,” Rolnick says. “You can use stale Italian bread or a premade Italian-seasoned breadcrumb. For better texture, I suggest adding about half seasoned panko to elevate it. Simply season the flour with salt and pepper, dip in beaten eggs, then finish with a solid coating of those flavored breadcrumbs. Press the crumbs in well, then pan-fry until crispy and golden-brown.”