Best Italian Recipes (2024)

This dish by celebrity chef James Martin is the ultimate celebration of Italian food. Hearty, flavorful, home grown and a feast for the eyes; pork sausages and shallots are cooked in cream and placed on a bed of lemon gnocchi.

Try James Martin's Sausage and lemon gnocchi

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You can almost imagine yourself sat on a veranda in Tuscany eating this recipe.A perfect combination of figs and goats cheese on a soft rosemary focaccia, drizzled in honey. Nigel Slater hits the spot again.

Try this fig and ricotta toast recipe

So quick to make, this baked orzo with lamb is packed full of heat and seasoning which comes from chilli, cinnamon and a splash of red wine, balanced out with greek yoghurt, tomato and olives. What's not to like?

Try this orzo recipe

This gelato is unusual in that it contains no milk but rest assure, it's no less indulgent. Flavoured with strong and earthy espresso, it's the perfect Italian pudding to refresh your palette after a meal.

Try this gelato recipe

One of the easiest but most crowd pleasing of all Italian meals is of-course, the almighty pizza. This simple recipe combines courgettes, ricotta, basil and a sprinkle of sea salt for a fresh and delectable meal that is quick to make.

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Chef and Red Magazine's very own Lifestyle Director Pip McCormac, has created an Italian take on the rarebit. Oregano with prosciutto, a handful of cherry tomatoes and ofcourse - a generous helping ofcheese makes this the perfect lunchtime snack. Accompany with a side of Italian inspired salad.

Try Pip McCormac's Italian Rarebit

Polenta is a widely used ingredient in Italian dishes but especially delicious when used in desserts. This lemon polenta cake is made with ground almonds and is soaked in a sweet and citrusy syrup and relatively easy to make too. Bellissimo!

Try this delicious lemon polenta cake

Sophie Dahl's twist on the classic sweet bread Panettone is an apple bread-and-butter pudding. Sprinkled in nutmeg, brown sugar and vanilla, this is a seriously comforting dessert. Place in the middle of the tableas the best way to dine in Italy - surrounded by good food and company.

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Nothing beats a slice of pizza and whipping up your own is easier than you think. The combination of a crispy base, fresh tomatoes and melting cheese is always delicious, and this homemade pizza recipe is fast food at its best.

Try this perfect pizza recipe

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This classic Italian pasta dish is truly delicious. Clams are very easy to cook and their juices mingle deliciously with the spaghetti. This is perfect for a quick dinner party fix.

Try Lisa Faulkner’s Italian clam spaghetti recipe.

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Crunchy and tasty, these little biscotti biscuits are just the thing to serve with a coffee when you’re in need of a hit of something sweet but don’t want to overdo it. If you like, you can use orange-flavoured chocolate instead of the orange zest.

Try this chocolate orange and cranberry biscotti recipe

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The Italian negroni is the perfect co*cktail to serve at a drinks party. Easily made into jugs, garnish with a slice of orange and serve with some homemade canapés.

Try Margot Henderson’s negroni recipe

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These classic risotto balls with a filling of veal ragu (you can also fill them with small pieces of mozzarella) are a great antipasto at a drinks party. The only problem is they’re so delicious, it’s easy to eat a few too many before dinner.

Try this arancini recipe

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A true lasagne takes a little time and love but the end result is simply delicious. Layers of rich meat sauce, creamy white sauce and perfectly cooked pasta meld beautifully in the oven. There are many different variations on this Italian classic and this one features a rich white sauce with three different cheeses, which adds a wonderful dimension to the dish.

Try Donal Skehan’s three cheese lasagne recipe

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This is one of the many great soups of Italian cookery. Warming and hearty, the beans and little pasta shapes give it bulk and substance. It has a wonderfully full flavour, typical of Italian recipes.

Try Antonio Carluccio’s pasta e fa*gioli recipe

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This rustic soup is typically Tuscan. The Italian flavours will conjur images of sun-soaked Mediterranean countryside so it’s perfect for serving up to friends and family.

Try this chickpea and rosemary soup recipe

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The Italian restaurant favourite recreated in cupcake form. The creamy mascarpone and strong coffee flavours come bursting through the middle of this heavenly delight.

Try the Hummingbird Bakery’s tiramisu cupcakes recipe

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Use this deliciously simple polenta dish as a base to which you can add an endless variety of additional ingredients, such as bacon, olives, pine nuts, lamb or mushrooms.

Try this layered polenta with vegetable sauce recipe

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Great for sharing, and made even better with the use of a really fine extra-virgin olive oil, this focaccia recipe from Lorraine Pascale is brilliant when served warm as a starter or as a meal in itself with fresh tomatoes, artichokes and cold meats.

Try Lorraine Pascale’s focaccia bread recipe

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This Italian twist on the classic British dish, shepherd’s pie, is the perfect Sunday lunch recipe. The addition of the fresh herbs, spinach and Parmesan cheese makes for a great alternative.

Try this Italian-style shepherd’s pie recipe

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