Instead of buying a one-way ticket, bring that Italy inspiration home with Giada's classic Italian recipes!
Being in Italy has us falling in love with classic Italian food all over again! With slow roasts, braises and cheesy pastas, what better time to share our love for the classics than the start of fall (AKA cozy food season?) Below are all of the hits - the recipes that you can always depend on to cook for company. From lasagna to tiramisu and everything in between, consider this your bookmarkable page to turn to whenever you feel the need to cook up a seriously Italian feast! Giada's classic Italian recipes will never let you down.Giada's Classic Italian Recipes
Simple Bolognese
This might be the recipe we make on repeat the absolute most. You can use bolognese in so many ways, but of course, tossed in with pasta is #1.
Italian Wedding Soup
While the name of this traditional dish might suggest you should save it for a special occasion, it's so easy and so delicious - you should make it whenever you want!
Tomato And Artichoke Panzanella
If there ever was a moment when we knew we were Italian in heart, it was when we found out that bread salad was a thing in Italy. Best idea ever!
Lemon Spaghetti
This is one of Giada's most popular recipes ever - and the best seller at Giada Vegas. It was inspired by a classic restaurant in Capri, Italy, and the rest is history!
Fritto Misto
In the south of Italy, fritto misto (literally "mixed fried") is a common starter to any meal - and it's great to nibble on with an aperitivo!
Classic Lasagna
When you're feeding family for Sunday supper, is there a better choice than lasagna? We think not!
Asparagus With Grilled Melon Salad
It's very common to find melon used in savory applications in Italy - and after trying this salad, you'll figure out why. The ultra-savory asparagus mixed with sweet cantaloupe, tangy tomatoes and salty ricotta salata is an Italian flavor-bomb that you'll turn to every spring and summer.
Chicken Cacciatore
When we think of rustic and hearty Italian food, chicken cacciatore comes to mind! Many Americanized versions of this dish are extremely heavy and greasy, but Giada's version keeps it lighter and full of flavor.
Sole With Lemon Caper Sauce
In Italy, you'll find this sauce of capers, lemons and herbs served with all types of dish - especially scallops and swordfish. Sole is a very delicate and tender fish that just so happens to be less costly, and it cooks up in a flash!
Sartu Di Riso
This recipe passed down in Giada's family requires one thing above all: patience! It's an absolutely delicious dish that takes some time to assemble, but it's worth every minute. It also makes the best leftovers.
Ziti Stufati
If you're looking for the ultimately classic baked ziti, this is it! Aunt Raffy says the hardboiled eggs are non-negotiable, but if you're not a fan, don't worry - we "forget" to add them sometimes!
Spaghetti With Clams
This seafood-and-pasta staple graces the menu of almost every restaurant on the Italian coast! Flavored with garlic, shallots, white wine, lemon and herbs, this refreshing and bright pasta pairs well with a crisp white wine - and a sunny day.
Caprese Salad
Perhaps the most quintessential salad of Italy! Giada's version uses a variety of tomatoes, and it's drizzled with a bright vinaigrette to tie it all together. Hint: burrata works excellently here too!
Classic Italian Turkey Meatballs
Giada uses turkey in these meatballs, but you can replace with ground chicken, or even beef! They're perfect tossed with pasta, eaten with crusty bread, or on their own.
Basic Parmesan Pomodoro
This simple pomodoro is so good, Giada auctions it off bottles of it for a fundraiser at Jade's school every year! It's so simple and bursting with flavor - just make sure you use Pomodorini tomatoes!
Arancini Di Riso
Day-old risotto lives its best life in the form of these fried balls of deliciousness: arancini! You'll find these fried goodies in all forms in Naples and the south of Italy.
Giada's Famous Pizza Dough
Any pizza night needs a good dough to kick it off! While there are plenty of serviceable store-bought pizza doughs, you can't beat the texture and flavor of a homemade one. This recipe isn't tricky at all, and it creates that signature Neopolitan-style crust!
Easter Pie
Similarly to Italian Wedding Soup, even though this pie is traditionally eaten at Easter, Italians love it so much they eat it whenever. And you should follow suite!
Chocolate Hazelnut Gelato
In Italy, you'd be hard-pressed to walk into a gelateria that doesn't sell a chocolate-hazelnut flavor. It's an extremely popular flavor in Italy, and we understand why!
Classic Tiramisu
Tiramisu might be a fairly young dish, but it's quintessentially Italian! You can make this dish up to 3 days in advance, cover it in the fridge, and shave fresh chocolate over right before serving.
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