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Italian cooking

Recipes from Italy from Milan to Sicily

Basil from Genoa, Parmesan from Emilia, tomatoes from the South: every region has its treasures. Pasta, creamy risottos, pizza and dolci: all our Italian recipes, explained step by step.

  • 70 recipes
  • 30 recipes in 30 min or less
  • 31 specialties on the map
See all 70 recipes See the map

A tour of Italy's flavors

North to south, every region has its specialty. Pick a stop on the map.

  2. MilanPanettoneMilan's great Christmas cake, with a dough left to rise for hours, made with raisins and candied fruit.
  4. VeronaChristmas PandoroA star-shaped brioche, patented in 1894 by the Veronese pastry chef Domenico Melegatti.
  5. PaduaAperol SpritzAperol was created in Padua in 1919 by the Barbieri brothers.
  6. PiedmontCreamy Mushroom RisottoThe rice for risotto grows in the Po Valley, around Vercelli: Italy is the largest rice producer in Europe.
  10. TuscanyCastagnaccioChestnut flour, pine nuts, raisins and rosemary: the autumn cake of the Tuscan hills.
  11. AbruzzoParrozzo with Almonds and Dark ChocolateInvented in Pescara in 1920 by pastry chef Luigi D'Amico, and celebrated by the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio.
  12. RomePasta CarbonaraEggs, pecorino and guanciale (pork jowl): in Rome, carbonara is made without cream.
  13. AricciaHomemade Christmas PorchettaThis town in the Lazio region holds a protected geographical indication for its centuries-old know-how in herb-roasted pork.
  14. PugliaBurrata Salad with TomatoesBurrata was born in Andria, in Puglia, in the early 20th century: a pouch of mozzarella filled with cream.
  16. SorrentoSpaghetti al LimoneOriginating from the Sorrento peninsula and the Amalfi coast, this dish celebrates the fragrant lemons of the region.
  18. SicilyCrispy Parmesan Arancini with Tomato SauceStuffed rice balls, breaded and fried: their name means “little oranges”.
  19. SicilyRed Kuri Squash AranciniIn Palermo it's called arancina, in Catania arancino: the stuffed rice ball is Sicilian.

Reader favorites

The most-cooked Italian recipes on CookinBreak.

Pasta, risotto and gnocchi

The heart of Italian cooking: simple sauces, good cheese, and dinner is done.

The Italian pantry

The ingredients that show up most in our Italian recipes.

Antipasti and aperitivo

Bruschetta, mozzarella salads and arancini: start your meal the Italian way.

Did you know?

  • The Margherita pizza

    According to tradition, it was named in Naples in 1889 in honor of Queen Margherita, in the colors of the flag: tomato, mozzarella and basil.

  • The king of cheeses

    Parmigiano Reggiano is aged at least 12 months and is only made around Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna and Mantua.

  • An espresso at the bar

    In Italy, coffee is often enjoyed standing at the bar, in a few sips; cappuccino is mostly a morning thing.

All our Italian recipes

70 recipes, most loved first.

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Your questions

What are the most famous Italian dishes?

Pasta carbonara or Bolognese, lasagna, risotto, pizza, tiramisu and panna cotta.

Does carbonara have cream in it?

Not in the Roman recipe: the sauce comes from eggs beaten with pecorino, tossed off the heat with the hot pasta and a splash of pasta water.

How do you cook pasta al dente?

Use plenty of well-salted boiling water, and taste one to two minutes before the time on the package: the pasta should still have a little bite.

What can I use instead of mascarpone?

Plain spreadable cream cheese whipped with very cold heavy cream: less rich, but delicious in tiramisu.