16 Recipes For National Italian Heritage Month
17 Recipes To Make To Celebrate Italian Heritage Month
Italian Heritage Month is the perfect time to gather around the table, honor rich traditions, and, of course, indulge in the incredible flavors of Italy. Whether you're celebrating your roots or simply appreciate the passion and love Italians pour into every dish, we've got you covered. From classic comfort foods like homemade lasagna to sweet treats like tiramisu, these recipes are a delicious way to toast to Italian culture and culinary brilliance. So grab your apron, pour a glass of vino, and let’s cook up something special together.
Cacio e Pepe is a simple yet delicious Roman pasta dish made with just four ingredients: pasta, butter, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper. Creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor, it’s comfort food at its finest!
Spaghetti all’Assassina is a bold and crispy pasta dish from Bari, Italy, where spaghetti is cooked directly in a spicy tomato sauce until it caramelizes and gets deliciously charred. It’s fiery, flavorful, and perfect for anyone who loves a little heat with their pasta.
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is a comforting Italian classic made with pillowy potato gnocchi baked in a rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and a touch of fresh basil. Warm, cheesy, and full of flavor—it’s like a hug in a bowl!
Pasta alla Norma is a classic Sicilian dish that’s bursting with flavor! Made with tender eggplant, rich tomato sauce, fresh basil, and a sprinkle of salty ricotta salata, it’s a comforting, veggie-packed pasta that’s as delicious as it is satisfying. Perfect for a cozy dinner with a touch of Mediterranean flair.
Osso Buco is a hearty Italian classic featuring tender, slow-braised veal shanks simmered with veggies, white wine, and broth until melt-in-your-mouth perfection. It's comfort food with a touch of elegance—especially when served with pasta or a scoop of creamy risotto or polenta.
A hearty and flavorful classic, Italian Beans and Greens combines tender white beans with sautéed leafy greens, garlic, and a touch of olive oil. It's a cozy, comforting dish that's simple, wholesome, and perfect for any night of the week.
Gather around the table for a hearty helping of Italian Sunday Sauce! This slow-simmered classic is packed with rich tomatoes, tender meats, and savory herbs—just like Nonna used to make. Perfect for family dinners and making memories.
Pasta alla Gricia is a classic Roman dish that’s simple, hearty, and full of flavor. Made with just a few quality ingredients—guanciale or pancetta (cured pork), Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, and pasta—it’s the delicious foundation of many famous Italian recipes. No sauce needed, just pure, savory comfort in every bite!
Bucatini alla Carbonara is a deliciously creamy Roman classic made with thick, tube-shaped pasta tossed in a rich sauce of eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, crispy pancetta, and a touch of black pepper. It’s comfort food at its finest—simple, satisfying, and full of bold flavor!
Pasta con le Sarde is a classic Sicilian dish that brings together the bold flavors of fresh sardines, sweet fennel, raisins, and pine nuts, all tossed with pasta for a deliciously unique Mediterranean experience. It’s a hearty, flavorful meal that’s both comforting and full of character!
11. Classic Lasagna
Classic Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, layered with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted cheese, all baked to perfection. It’s a hearty, homemade favorite that brings everyone to the table with a smile.
Light, fluffy, and irresistibly creamy, Ricotta Gnudi are delicate Italian dumplings made with fresh ricotta cheese and a touch of Parmesan. Like gnocchi’s softer cousin, they melt in your mouth and pair perfectly with your favorite sauce for a cozy, comforting meal.
Risotto Milanese is a creamy, golden-hued Italian classic made with Arborio rice, rich saffron, and a touch of Parmesan. It’s warm, comforting, and full of flavor—a perfect dish to impress or simply treat yourself!
Cozy up with a warm bowl of Chicken Pastina Soup! This comforting classic features tender chicken, tiny pasta, and veggies simmered in a flavorful broth — just like grandma used to make. Perfect for chilly days or when you need a little extra comfort.
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a simple yet flavorful Italian classic made with just a few ingredients—garlic, olive oil, spaghetti, and a hint of chili flakes. It’s quick to whip up and packed with comforting, garlicky goodness that brings the taste of Italy right to your plate!
An Affogato is a delightful Italian treat that blends dessert and coffee in the most delicious way! It’s a scoop of creamy vanilla gelato or ice cream "drowned" in a shot of hot, rich espresso—simple, sweet, and oh-so-satisfying. Perfect for coffee lovers with a sweet tooth!
Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert that layers espresso-soaked ladyfingers with a rich, creamy blend of mascarpone cheese and a dusting of cocoa powder on top. It's smooth, lightly sweet, and has just the right hint of coffee—perfect for treating yourself or impressing guests with something deliciously indulgent!
Recipe: Tomato Bruschetta Grilled Cheese
We make lunch look good with this Italian-style grilled cheese recipe. Gooey melty Havarti or Brie cheese meets up with tangy Italian tomato bruschetta in this easy-to-love lunchtime marvel.
Recipe: Classic Three-Cheese Lasagna
Let’s start with a classic. Our three-cheese lasagna recipe is deliciously cheesy and easy to make. Even better, it’s perfect for family dinners, serving a crowd or leftover lunch portions. This recipe does it all!
Recipe: Chicken and Veal Parmesan
Chicken Parmesan is a popular Italian dish, but you’re missing out if you’ve never tried this recipe with veal cutlets. Whether you serve it up with a side of pasta and red sauce or you add it to a soft Italian roll for a mouth-watering sandwich, this is one Italian recipe you can’t miss.
This traditional Milanese dish is so exquisite that it can be intimidating to make. But if you follow our instructions all you need is good homemade broth, plenty of time to slowly braise the veal and a little bit of know-how in the kitchen.
This Sicilian street food makes a perfect appetizer or afternoon snack. While traditional Arancini di Riso involves a time-consuming recipe, our version is so easy you can make them on a weeknight—and you won’t regret it.
In Italian, Chicken Saltimbocca means “jump in your mouth”—and we couldn’t agree more. Tenderized chicken breasts, salty prosciutto, and fresh mozzarella come together for big flavor in this easy weeknight dish.
Given enough time and the right ingredients, this recipe transforms a tough pork shoulder into fall-apart goodness and a perfectly silky sauce for pasta and polenta. You’ll want to save this recipe for a slow weekend afternoon, but it’s sure to impress everyone at your table.
Recipe: Pasta Fagioli
This classic Italian bean soup is hearty enough to warm up any crowd. We recommend serving it with a gigantic loaf of crusty Italian bread and butter.
Everybody needs a good Italian meatball recipe in their back pocket. This one yields dozens of tender, flavorful meatballs that are best served with tomato sauce and a pile of al dente spaghetti.
This recipe encompasses what is truly special about Italian cuisine. It only requires a few simple ingredients, but it requires several hours of cooking to develop a thick, complex and rich sauce of beef and onions. Serve it up with rigatoni, as it’s one of the only pasta shapes strong enough to hold this hearty sauce.
You can’t beat a classic Bolognese sauce. It’s rich and meaty, making it the ultimate comfort food when served with wide ribbons of pappardelle pasta and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Pro tip: Keep a container on hand in the freezer so you can whip up a batch of lasagna for the crew at a moment’s notice.
Recipe: Pizza Margherita
This classic thin-crust pizza originated in Naples, Italy, and it honors the Italian flag: Red from imported San Marzano tomatoes, green from fresh basil and white from gooey rounds of fresh mozzarella. This simple pizza recipe is a must-have during National Italian Heritage month.
We like to think that this recipe features rustic Italian cooking at its best. Mashed chickpeas make the hearty base for this soup and the pasta is cooked right in the same pot. Straddling the line between a soup and a pasta, this dish definitely requires some slurping.
This traditional seafood stew features buttery, tangy tomato flavors with a kiss of garlic and fresh herbs. Make sure you serve this stew with a loaf of crusty Italian bread, so you can sop up each tasty drop.
Torrone, a sweet toasted-almond candy, is usually made around Christmastime. But we think it’s the perfect dessert for National Italian Heritage month. Our torrone is simple and sweet with lemon and orange zest for extra flavor.
Recipe: Tiramisu
You can’t honor Italy without making a decadent tray of tiramisu. With the accent of chocolate and coffee, this famous dessert can be enjoyed with or without the preceding plate of pasta. Besides being a creamy, rich follow-up, this sweet treat can be presented at any occasion. Impress your guests!