Europe · Traditional

Italian cuisine

Italian food is a feast for the senses, blending fresh, seasonal ingredients with timeless tradition. Enjoy authentic pasta, pizza, and risotto crafted from sun-ripened tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and the finest cheeses. Each dish captures Italy’s vibrant culture and passion for sharing, bringing a taste of la dolce vita to every table. Buon appetito!

Explore recipes Build a Italian menu Wine pairings

Food history

Why Italian cuisine is worth exploring

Italian food is regional before it is national. Ancient grains, Roman roads, Arab citrus and spices, Renaissance courts, mountain dairies and coastal fishing towns all left their mark. Modern Italian cooking became famous because it protects simplicity: pasta, bread, tomatoes, olive oil, herbs, cheese and wine are treated with confidence rather than clutter.

Why it is famous

Italy is famous for pasta, pizza, risotto, focaccia, cured meats, cheeses, gelato, espresso culture and some of the world’s most recognisable regional dishes.

Regional food story

Italian cuisine is not one single style. Treat the country page as a gateway into regional dishes, local ingredients, family recipes and occasion-led cooking.

How to cook it

Flavours, ingredients and menu ideas

Signature ingredients

Key ingredients include durum wheat pasta, tomatoes, basil, olive oil, garlic, parmesan, pecorino, mozzarella, risotto rice, cured pork, seafood, lemons, truffles and seasonal vegetables.

Cooking style

The cooking style ranges from simple home dishes to more elaborate food for celebrations. Good Italian recipes usually balance staple ingredients with texture, seasoning and a clear sense of occasion.

Build a menu

Build a Italian menu by choosing a light starter, a signature main and a dessert that shows the country’s baking or sweet traditions. Add wine or drink pairings where the dish has enough richness, spice, acidity or sweetness to make the match useful.

Starters Mains Desserts

Cook by course

Italian recipes

Start with a starter, choose a main, then finish with a dessert to build a complete country-inspired menu.

Starters

Italian starters

Caprese Salad

Caprese Salad is a story-rich Italian starter that opens the meal with clear regional flavour, simple pr…

Starter 25 mins

Carpaccio

Carpaccio is a story-rich Italian starter that opens the meal with clear regional flavour, simple presen…

Starter 25 mins

Panzanella

Panzanella is a story-rich Italian starter that opens the meal with clear regional flavour, simple prese…

Starter 30 mins

Fiori di Zucca Ripieni

Stuffed courgette flowers with mozzarella and anchovy, dipped in batter and fried until crisp.

Starter 35 mins

Crostini Toscani

Crostini Toscani are rustic Tuscan toasts topped with a savoury chicken liver, caper and anchovy spread.

Starter 40 mins

Caponata Siciliana

Caponata is Sicily’s sweet-sour aubergine relish with celery, tomato, olives and capers.

Starter 1 hr 10 mins

Bruschetta

Bruschetta is a story-rich Italian starter that opens the meal with clear regional flavour, simple prese…

Starter 1 hr 15 mins

Insalata di Mare

Italian seafood salad with octopus, prawns, squid, celery, parsley, lemon and olive oil.

Starter 1 hr 20 mins

Suppli al Telefono

Roman supplì are tomato rice croquettes with a melting mozzarella centre that stretches like a telephone…

Starter 1 hr 20 mins

Vitello Tonnato

Vitello tonnato is chilled poached veal with a silky tuna, anchovy, caper and lemon sauce.

Starter 1 hr 35 mins

Arancini di Riso

Sicilian arancini are crisp fried rice balls filled with ragù, peas and mozzarella.

Starter 1 hr 50 mins

Focaccia

Focaccia is a story-rich Italian starter that opens the meal with clear regional flavour, simple present…

Starter 2 hr 30 mins

Main courses

Italian main courses

Carbonara

Carbonara is a classic Italian main course built around comforting flavour, cultural heritage and the ki…

Main 20 mins

Pasta alla Gricia

Pasta alla Gricia is an authentic Italian main from Lazio, prepared with careful traditional technique a…

Main 25 mins

Risotto

Risotto is a classic Italian main course built around comforting flavour, cultural heritage and the kind…

Main 25 mins

Saltimbocca alla Romana

Saltimbocca alla Romana is an authentic Italian main from Lazio, prepared with careful traditional techn…

Main 27 mins

Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e Pepe is a classic Italian main course built around comforting flavour, cultural heritage and the…

Main 35 mins

Lemon Chicken Pasta

Lemon Chicken Pasta is a classic Italian main course built around comforting flavour, cultural heritage…

Main 35 mins

Spaghetti alle Vongole

Spaghetti alle Vongole is an authentic Italian main from Campania, prepared with careful traditional tec…

Main 35 mins

Trofie al Pesto Genovese

Trofie al Pesto Genovese is an authentic Italian main from Liguria, prepared with careful traditional te…

Main 35 mins

Fegato alla Veneziana

Fegato alla Veneziana is an authentic Italian main from Veneto, prepared with careful traditional techni…

Main 40 mins

Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa

Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa is an authentic Italian main from Puglia, prepared with careful traditional…

Main 40 mins

Gnocchi alla Sorrentina

Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is an authentic Italian main from Campania, prepared with careful traditional te…

Main 45 mins

Bagna Cauda

Bagna Cauda is an authentic Italian main from Piedmont, prepared with careful traditional technique and…

Main 50 mins

Pasta alla Norma

Pasta alla Norma is an authentic Italian main from Sicily, prepared with careful traditional technique a…

Main 55 mins

Polenta con Funghi

Polenta con Funghi is an authentic Italian main from Northern Italy, prepared with careful traditional t…

Main 1 hr

Pasta e Fagioli

Pasta e Fagioli is an authentic Italian main from Veneto and Central Italy, prepared with careful tradit…

Main 1 hr 20 mins

Cacciucco

Cacciucco is an authentic Italian main from Tuscany, prepared with careful traditional technique and exa…

Main 1 hr 30 mins

Coniglio all’Ischitana

Coniglio all’Ischitana is an authentic Italian main from Campania, prepared with careful traditional tec…

Main 1 hr 35 mins

Melanzane alla Parmigiana

Melanzane alla Parmigiana is an authentic Italian main from Campania and Sicily, prepared with careful t…

Main 1 hr 45 mins

Ribollita

Ribollita is an authentic Italian main from Tuscany, prepared with careful traditional technique and exa…

Main 1 hr 55 mins

Bolognese

Bolognese is a classic Italian main course built around comforting flavour, cultural heritage and the ki…

Main 2 hr 20 mins

Agnolotti del Plin

Agnolotti del Plin is an authentic Piedmontese filled pasta made with small pinched parcels and a rich r…

Main 2 hr 25 mins

Osso Buco alla Milanese

Osso Buco alla Milanese is an authentic Italian main from Lombardy, prepared with careful traditional te…

Main 2 hr 30 mins

Baccalà alla Vicentina

Baccalà alla Vicentina is an authentic Italian main from Veneto, prepared with careful traditional techn…

Main 3 hr 20 mins

Lasagne alla Bolognese

Lasagne alla Bolognese is an authentic Italian main from Emilia-Romagna, prepared with careful tradition…

Main 4 hr 5 mins

Desserts

Italian desserts

Granita Siciliana

Granita Siciliana is an authentic Italian dessert from Sicily, written with precise measures and a tradi…

Dessert 15 mins

Zabaglione

Zabaglione is an authentic Italian dessert from Piedmont, written with precise measures and a traditiona…

Dessert 20 mins

Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a traditional Italian dessert with a memorable texture, a sense of occasion and the sweet fi…

Dessert 40 mins

Cassata Siciliana

Cassata Siciliana is an authentic Italian dessert from Sicily, written with precise measures and a tradi…

Dessert 1 hr

Torta Caprese

Torta Caprese is an authentic Italian dessert from Campania, written with precise measures and a traditi…

Dessert 1 hr

Baba al Rum

Baba al Rum is an authentic Italian dessert from Campania, written with precise measures and a tradition…

Dessert 1 hr 5 mins

Crostata di Marmellata

Crostata di Marmellata is an authentic Italian dessert from Across Italy, written with precise measures…

Dessert 1 hr 5 mins

Struffoli

Struffoli is an authentic Italian dessert from Campania, written with precise measures and a traditional…

Dessert 1 hr 10 mins

Budino di Riso

Budino di Riso is an authentic Italian dessert from Tuscany, written with precise measures and a traditi…

Dessert 1 hr 15 mins

Cannoli

Cannoli is a traditional Italian dessert with a memorable texture, a sense of occasion and the sweet fin…

Dessert 1 hr 30 mins

Sfogliatelle

Sfogliatelle is an authentic Italian dessert from Campania, written with precise measures and a traditio…

Dessert 1 hr 50 mins

Panna Cotta

Panna Cotta is a traditional Italian dessert with a memorable texture, a sense of occasion and the sweet…

Dessert 4 hr 20 mins

Wine and drink pairings

What to drink with Italian food

Italian food pairs brilliantly with high-acid wines. Choose Chianti or Barbera for tomato and roast meat, Vermentino or Pinot Grigio for seafood and herbs, Prosecco for starters, and sweet Muscat or Vin Santo-style wines for desserts.

Red

Chianti / Sangiovese

Savoury, high-acid Italian red with cherry, dried herbs and firm but food-friendly tannins. Built for tomato, olive oil…

Grape: Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino Region: Tuscany, Umbria, Emilia-Romagna

White

Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris

Clean, easy-drinking white with pear, apple and citrus. Good for light starters, mild fish, salads and simple vegetable…

Grape: Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris Region: Veneto, Friuli, Alsace, Oregon

White

Sauvignon Blanc

Zesty white wine with lemon, gooseberry, grass and herb notes. It refreshes green vegetables, goat cheese, seafood and…

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc Region: Loire, Marlborough, Bordeaux, Chile

White

Vermentino

Mediterranean white with citrus, pear, almond, herbs and a lightly salty finish. Great with olive oil, tomatoes, seafoo…

Grape: Vermentino, Rolle Region: Sardinia, Liguria, Tuscany, Provence

Sparkling

Prosecco

Light, aromatic Italian sparkling wine with pear, apple blossom and gentle bubbles. Best with fresh starters, soft chee…

Grape: Glera Region: Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Dessert

Sweet Muscat

Fragrant sweet wine with orange blossom, grape, peach and honey. Best with pastries, custards, fruit desserts and light…

Grape: Muscat Blanc, Moscatel, Muscat of Alexandria Region: Rutherglen, Beaumes-de-Venise, Setúbal, Asti

Local beers

Italian beers

Wine can lead the meal, but local beer tells another story: what people drink in bars, restaurants and shops alongside everyday food.

Explore local beers

Peroni Nastro Azzurro

Pale lager 5% ABV

Birra Peroni / Asahi

One of Italy’s most recognisable lagers, widely sold in bars, restaurants and supermarkets.

Birra Moretti L’Autentica

Lager 4.6% ABV

Birra Moretti / Heineken Italia

An everyday Italian lager with strong national recognition and broad supermarket and hospitality di…

Ichnusa Non Filtrata

Unfiltered lager 5% ABV

Birra Ichnusa / Heineken Italia

A Sardinian favourite that has become increasingly visible across mainland Italy.

Menabrea Bionda

Lager 4.8% ABV

Birra Menabrea

A historic Piedmontese lager, often positioned as a more premium Italian bottle.

Birrificio Angelo Poretti 4 Luppoli

Lager 5% ABV

Birrificio Angelo Poretti / Carlsberg Italia

A familiar Italian lager brand with strong presence in shops and restaurants.

Food stories

Articles linked to Italian recipes

Explore the wider stories behind ingredients, cooking methods, celebrations and national dishes.

Food story

The Best Recipes With Aubergine

Aubergine drinks in oil, spice, smoke and tomato, which is why it appears in some of the world’s richest vegetable dish…

Food story

The Best Recipes With Lemons

Lemon wakes up seafood, roast chicken, Greek food, pasta, salads, cakes and custards, bringing brightness to both savou…

Food story

Why Fried Rice Became a Global Favourite

Fried rice is thrift, speed and wok skill in one dish, built around yesterday’s rice and whatever the kitchen can offer…