50 delicious Italian recipes

Brent Hofacker // Shutterstock
Brent Hofacker // Shutterstock

It's no secret that Italian food is wildly popular—between decadent pizzas, pastas, and hearty soups, what's not to like? You might not know, though, exactly how well-liked these dishes are. In TasteAtlas' 2025-26 Awards, Italian food was rated as the best cuisine in the world. Additionally, the global Italian food market was valued at $25.5 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow from $27.15 billion in 2026 to $47.4 billion by 2034.

While often associated with a night out at an expensive restaurant, Italian cuisine can be prepared cheaply and easily in your own kitchen, a boon for Italophiles who want to save money amid rising food prices. In fact, you can further embrace the spirit of Italian cooking by following the principle of cucina povera, or "poor cuisine," which focuses on creating delicious meals using simple, affordable ingredients. 

Whether you prefer old-school Italian food or a modern blend of global flavors, you can really make a restaurant-quality meal at home. From lasagnas and polenta to homemade meatballs and long-simmering gravy, Italian food capitalizes on some classic ingredients: garlic, onion, and garden-fresh herbs.

Of course, there's much more to it than that, which is why Stacker has compiled a list of our favorite Italian recipes from Allrecipes for you to try. Keep reading to see what's for dinner tonight.

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1 / 50

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe (Roman Sheep Herder's Pasta)

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Total: 25 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here

2 / 50

Torta di Mele (Italian Apple Cake)

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

3 / 50

Italian Shrimp and Scallop Risotto

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Additional: 2 mins
- Total: 57 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 16
- Read more about the recipe here

4 / 50

Italian Baked Meatballs

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 30 1-ounce meatballs
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

6 / 50

Hearty Minestrone Soup (Instant Pot®)

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Additional: 5 mins
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 18
- Read more about the recipe here

7 / 50

Lasagne Alla Bolognese Saporite

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 2 hrs 48 mins
- Additional: 3 mins
- Total: 3 hrs 21 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 19
- Read more about the recipe here

8 / 50

Lemony Pork Piccata

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Total: 45 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 pork chops
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

9 / 50

World's Best Lasagna

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 2 hrs 30 mins
- Additional: 15 mins
- Total: 3 hrs 15 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 20
- Read more about the recipe here

11 / 50

Gourmet Mushroom Risotto

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

12 / 50

Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 10 mins
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

13 / 50

Brasato al Barolo - Braised Chuck Roast in Red Wine

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 2 hrs 46 mins
- Additional: 12 hrs
- Total: 15 hrs 16 mins
- Servings: 5
- Yield: 1 2-pound roast
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

14 / 50

How to Make Perfect Polenta

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Additional: 5 mins
- Total: 55 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

16 / 50

Manicotti

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Total: 1 hr 15 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

17 / 50

Italian Wedding Soup I

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

18 / 50

Eggplant Parmesan II

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Total: 1 hr
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

19 / 50

Homemade Four Cheese Ravioli

- Prep: 45 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 2 hrs
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 20 ravioli
- Number of ingredients: 19
- Read more about the recipe here

21 / 50

Chef John's Italian Meatballs

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Additional: 1 hr 20 mins
- Total: 2 hrs 15 mins
- Servings: 30
- Yield: 30 meatballs
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

22 / 50

Super-Delicious Zuppa Toscana

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

23 / 50

Pasta Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 13 hrs 20 mins
- Total: 13 hrs 55 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

24 / 50

Shrimp Scampi with Pasta

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 40 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

27 / 50

Chicken Marsala

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

28 / 50

Pesto Pasta

- Prep: 5 mins
- Additional: 10 mins
- Total: 15 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

29 / 50

Homemade Lasagna

- Prep: 1 hr
- Cook: 45 mins
- Total: 1 hr 45 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 18
- Read more about the recipe here

31 / 50

Easy Lasagna II

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Additional: 10 mins
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

32 / 50

The Best Parmesan Chicken Bake

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

33 / 50

Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 2 hrs
- Total: 2 hrs 20 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 17
- Read more about the recipe here

34 / 50

Slow Cooker Italian Beef for Sandwiches

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 12 hrs
- Total: 12 hrs 15 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

36 / 50

Homemade Sweet Italian Sausage (Mild or Hot)

- Prep: 20 mins
- Additional: 12 hrs
- Total: 12 hrs 20 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 3 1-pound portions
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

37 / 50

Italian Sausage, Peppers, and Onions

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Total: 40 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

38 / 50

Florentine Stuffed Chicken

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Total: 45 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

39 / 50

Tender Italian Baked Chicken

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

41 / 50

Italian Breaded Pork Chops

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Total: 1 hr
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

42 / 50

World's Best Pasta Sauce!

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 30 mins
- Total: 1 hr 45 mins
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 16 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

43 / 50

Meatball Sandwich

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 40 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

46 / 50

Easy Italian Chicken II

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 2 hrs 5 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 2
- Read more about the recipe here

47 / 50

Roasted Chicken with Risotto and Caramelized Onions

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Total: 45 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

48 / 50

Spinach Lasagna III

- Prep: 35 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Additional: 15 mins
- Total: 1 hr 50 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 16
- Read more about the recipe here

49 / 50

Rosemary Braised Lamb Shanks

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 2 hrs
- Total: 2 hrs 30 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here