What’s for dinner? Italian, but you’re not heading to your favorite restaurant. With these Italian restaurant-quality recipes to make at home, you can enjoy classic Italian meals without a reservation. From hearty pastas and sauces to classic main meals and desserts, these 24 Italian recipes will help you recreate Italian dishes you love for a special dinner or family meal at home.
Chicken Parmigiana (Parmesan)
“This dish can be made many ways but I find this tastes the best. It is another family favorite. This can be served with any type of pasta and a salad or vegetable.” – Sandra
Classic Chicken Marsala
“There is something very special about simple, classic meals.” – Maggie May
Tiramisu
“This is an easy no bake, no egg, tiramisu that is absolutely fabulous!” – Patricia
Crack Proof: New York Style Cheesecake
“This recipe was handed down to me by my mother. Every holiday my siblings (all seven of us) and I would request this awesome cake along with the homemade fruit topping. It’s gotten so she’d have to create two cakes, due to there never being enough.” – Jacqueline
Italian Meat Sauce
“This is our favorite Italian Meat Sauce, been making it for about 10 years now. As with many recipes we make that include garlic, we usually bump up the quantity more than what’s documented as we’re garlic heads!” – Dan
Baked Mostaccioli
“This is not your lunch ladies mostaccioli! Or your wedding day mostaccioli. This delicious Baked Mostaccioli is loaded with fresh Italian sausage, sweet onions, green bell peppers, minced garlic, and marinara. It is then topped with fresh Parmesan, mozzarella, and provolone cheese.” – Beth
Stuffed Chicken Parmesan
“This is a great new take on Chicken Parmesan. It’s delicious and filling! It has a creamy cheesy spinach stuffing. You can top it with your favorite sauce and add mozzarella to finish it off.” – Annamaria
Easy Baked Ziti
“This super Easy Baked Ziti is the perfect family meal for a busy mom. It is creamy and full of meat and Italian flavor then topped with cheese.” – Debbie
Eggplant Rollatini
“This is a great recipe for eggplant lovers. Alternatively, veal, chicken, or fish may be used in place of the eggplant.” – Linda
Lasagna like NO OTHER!
“I love pasta and lasagna and I have tried many, many ways to do lasagna that doesn’t fall apart and captures those incredible Italian flavors. Here is my version that I think is the best, like no other.” – Stacey
Perfect Italian Cream Cake
“Everyone loves this cake, and can’t believe it starts with a mix! The frosting recipe makes a lot of frosting, as my family likes it decadent! Frosting recipe may be downsized if you prefer.” – Michelle
Italian “S” Cookies
“A melt-in-your-mouth cookie with a light lemon flavor.” – Denise
Crusty Italian Bread
“My husband loves bread in any form, but especially Italian bread. I found this recipe somewhere and began making it and he loves it.” – Gena
Lemon Chicken Piccata
“This is one of those chicken dishes that is seriously delicious. The basic dish is wonderful all on its own, but I decided to kick up the sauce with a bit more flavor for this dish.” – Bella
My Ricotta Pie
“This is one of my family’s favorite holiday desserts. I make this pie recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and, of course, Easter. When I make it, my kids can’t wait until after dinner so they can have a piece.” – Lin
Zuppa Toscana (Thick)
“My kids love Olive Garden for their soups and breadsticks. I thought, turn Pandora on, play some authentic Italian music, and make some soup and breadsticks at home. My family loved it.” – Elizabeth
Nancy’s Famous Cannoli Cream Cheesecake
“This certainly is my most famous dessert of all time, as this creation was about 13 years ago when I made this for my oldest son’s birthday. I combined two of his very favorite desserts, Italian cannoli and creamy cheesecake, into one scrumptious, mouthwatering, and decadent dessert. The look on his face…priceless!” – Nancy
Amazing Bolognese
“Italian food is one of my favorites, and out of all the sauce recipes I have tried. This one is just on a level all its own. Rich and hearty, it’s everything a good Bolognese should be and more.” – Amanda
Mamma Ang’s Cavatini
“My mother used to make cavatini for me on special occasions. Unfortunately, I never got her recipe. So, I came up with the closest I could find. My kids love it (had seconds and thirds!).” – Angie
Baked Ziti With Italian Sausage and Eggplant
“Awesome dish!” – Angela
Mushroom, Sausage, Ricotta, and Basil Cannelloni
“I love to use egg roll wrappers for my cannelloni and stuff them with the ingredients I normally use in lasagna. These are small little bundles of goodness that are great as an appetizer or main dish.” – Linda
Gail’s Cannolis
“These are never left over. Serving them fresh is important.” – Gail
Real Italian Minestrone Soup
“My aunt got this recipe from an Italian chef in Center City Philly way back in the 50s. My family loves it. I think it’s very easy and especially delicious with a loaf of crusty Italian bread and butter.” – Terri
Roasted Asparagus and Mushroom Carbonara Recipe
“Roasted asparagus and mushrooms in a creamy and cheesy egg sauce with plenty of fresh cracked black pepper.” – Kevin