30 Easy Italian Recipes A Journey Through Italian Cooking

Italian cuisine is renowned for its simplicity, freshness, and aromatic flavors and holds a special place in our hearts (and of food enthusiasts worldwide). This collection invites you to explore vegetarian Italian cooking and discover the joy of creating authentic Italian dishes in your kitchen. For many more 30-minute meal ideas, check out our 30-minute meal category page. You’ll find it here whether you’re craving the comforting embrace of a steaming bowl of pasta, earthy soups with lentils or nutty chickpeas, or the indulgent sweetness of a homemade apple cake. From appetizers to desserts, these easy–to–follow recipes will help you create authentic Italian dishes that will transport you to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean with every bite. Buon appetito!

1. Spaghetti aglio e olio

We start this list with 15-minute pasta and an affordable meal famous worldwide. Use spaghetti, plenty of extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, red pepper flakes, and a sprinkle of finely chopped parsley on top.

2. Italian bean stew

This rich, tomato–packed Italian bean stew is a simple and flavorful recipe that can be made in one pot in half an hour. Serve it as a weeknight dinner with rice, couscous, polenta, or a slice of crusty bread. Tomato risotto will be loved by adults and kids alike. In just about 30 minutes, you’ll have a delicious Italian dinner on the table.

4. Stuffed zucchini

These stuffed zucchini have a delicious meat-free filling with ricotta, herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes, and they are baked until tender-crisp and golden. This protein-rich vegetarian dish is excellent for everyday Italian dinners or special occasions.

5. Carciofi alla Romana (braised artichokes)

Carciofi alla Romana is an Italian artichoke recipe of braised artichokes simmered in a pot with water, olive oil, and herbs like mint and parsley. They are primarily served in central Italy and around Rome, but the recipe is now famous worldwide. It’s a naturally vegan, zero-waste recipe and a great way to reuse stale bread.

7. Spaghetti Pomodoro

“Pomodoro” in Italian means tomato. So when Italians say pasta al Pomodoro, they mean pasta with tomato. In 20 minutes and with simple ingredients, you can prepare an authentic Italian pasta dish that will leave everyone begging for more.

8. Ricotta pasta

You’ll love our lemon ricotta pasta recipe because it has a creamy and light texture and a refreshing lemony flavor, and you can add your favorite veggie. We make it with spinach here, but the recipe is delicious with most vegetables, including frozen peas, roasted broccoli, roasted cauliflower, sautéed mushrooms, and more. It’s perfect with fresh vegetables, potatoes, salads, and bruschetta.

10. Potato gnocchi

If you make gnocchi with white potatoes, sweet potatoes, or pumpkin, the result is a family-friendly dinner that is absolutely restaurant–worthy. We’ll show you how to make gnocchi with three simple ingredients and shape them with a fork. Our recipe is the original Italian one without eggs.

11. Lentil pasta

Lentils are the oldest legumes domesticated by humans and are a nutrition powerhouse. Combined with pasta, they make a tasty and nutritious meal, especially if cooked together in the same pot, as in this recipe. Top it with good-quality olive oil, salt, tomatoes, or roasted eggplant.

14. Eggplant Pizza

From this eggplant pizza recipe, you can expect a familiar, cozy flavor similar to Italian eggplant parmigiana, sometimes known as eggplant parmesan. The roasted eggplant is not crunchy like baked pizza dough, but it’s delicious and tender, making it an excellent dish for sharing.

15. Stuffed bell pepper

Stuffed bell peppers are a popular dish in most Mediterranean countries, from Italy to Turkey, Spain to North Africa’s coasts. Our pepper recipe is strongly inspired by Mediterranean, Levantine, and Middle Eastern flavors, especially those of our lentil mujaddara.

16. Sauteed eggplant

This sauteed eggplant recipe is much easier than caponata as it’s done in 20 minutes on a pan. The eggplant dice soak in the tomato juices and garlic aroma, becoming incredibly flavorful, juicy, and tender. Serve it as an appetizer with pesto, olive tapenade, and roasted vegetables for an authentic Italian antipasto.

18. Pesto

Make it with basil, zucchini, or parsley; this green pesto is a fantastic pasta sauce, sandwich spread, and drizzle on pizza. Make it in 5 minutes with simple ingredients, and you’ll have a quick and easy meal.

19. Pasta e Fagioli

Pasta e fagioli makes a comforting and cozy one-pot family dinner. You can make it with simple and affordable ingredients, yet it tastes fantastic and is incredibly warming and nourishing. It’s a simple recipe with four ingredients in its basic form, and it’s ready in 10 minutes.

21. Lemon pasta with spinach

Combining simple ingredients, such as spaghetti, lemon juice, zest, olive oil, garlic, and chili flakes, creates a simple but incredibly delicious meal. Have a bite, and you’ll be transported to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, where lemons and pasta are staple ingredients.

22. Tomato salad

Tomato and onion salad is refreshing, easy to put together, and perfect for cooling down during scorching summer months. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up all the flavorful tomato juices for a simple light lunch or as a side dish. It’s a 20–minute meal with beautiful colors and, most importantly, its wonderfully rich and yet balanced taste.

24. Lentil Vegetable soup

This easy lentil soup is wholesome, hearty, and with a beautiful herby flavor. The lentils make the dish nutritious and fulfilling, with texture, plant–based protein, iron, and heart and gut-healthy fiber.

25. Marinara sauce

In about 15 minutes, you’ll have a rich and tasty homemade tomato sauce with any pasta and vegetarian meatballs. It’s the ultimate last-minute dinner recipe and the best ace up your sleeve when you are short on time but still want to cook a delicious vegetarian meal. The result is a recipe you can make with affordable ingredients such as mushroom, olive oil, onion, celery, carrot, rosemary, tomato paste, salt, and pepper.

27. Roasted zucchini

These oven–roasted zucchini are naturally vegan and made with breadcrumbs, garlic, olive oil, and herbs. It is a delicious topping as it gives the zucchini a lot of flavor and gets all golden, crisp, and crunchy as the breadcrumbs gratin in the oven.

28. Kale soup

Kale is a nutritious and versatile leafy green that can be used to make countless soups, stews, and curries inspired by world cuisines. This easy kale soup recipe is inspired by Tuscan white bean soup or ribollita and is prepared in one pot. Focaccia is usually topped with olive oil, coarse salt, and fresh rosemary, but you can also make a version with cherry tomatoes, sage, and red onions.

30. Penne arrabbiata

Penne arrabbiata (angry pasta) is an Italian dish famous for its simplicity, comforting taste, and spicy tomato sauce. Although it’s spicier, arrabbiata sauce is similar to marinara sauce, spaghetti pomodoro, and pasta alla Norma. It goes well with most pasta shapes, the most traditional being penne and rigatoni arrabbiata.

Extra virgin olive oil Balsamic vinegar Passata and crushed canned tomatoes Garlic cloves Dried or fresh herbs include basil, oregano, rosemary, parsley, and thyme. Parmesan cheese or dairy-free alternative.

Refrigerator: Let the dishes cool completely at room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat: you can reheat pasta, soups, and sauces in a pot on the stovetop for a few minutes or in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. Avoid reheating them multiple times.

Biscotti (flour, sugar, almonds, powdered sugar, lemon, almond milk, etc.) Apple cake (milk, vegetable oil, apples, vanilla extract, baking powder, etc.) Baked pears (cinnamon, walnuts, maple syrup, vanilla ice cream). Coffee mousse (whipped cream, espresso coffee, sugar). Egg–free custard (soy milk, vanilla, sugar, non-dairy milk, etc.)

Baked Pears

Vegan custard (pastry cream)

Vegan Apple Cake

Pear Cake

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Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients. Easy right? Comment * Name Email Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me when Louise or Nico reply to my comment.

Δ Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.