Mondo Italiano
18 Simple Italian Recipes from Different Regions of Italy
A flavorful tour of Italy, one easy regional dish at a time.
Abruzzo
Spaghetti Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino
A rustic pasta with garlic, olive oil, and a little chili heat.
Ingredients
- Spaghetti
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Red chili flakes
- Parsley
- Salt
Directions
- Boil spaghetti until al dente.
- Warm olive oil with sliced garlic and chili flakes.
- Toss pasta with the oil, a splash of pasta water, parsley, and salt.
Basilicata
Pasta with Crispy Breadcrumbs
A humble southern classic often called “poor man’s cheese.”
Ingredients
- Pasta
- Breadcrumbs
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Chili flakes
- Parsley
Directions
- Toast breadcrumbs in olive oil until golden.
- Cook garlic and chili in more olive oil.
- Toss pasta with the garlic oil and top with crispy breadcrumbs.
Calabria
Calabrian Tomato Pasta
Simple tomato pasta with the bold personality of Calabria.
Ingredients
- Pasta
- Crushed tomatoes
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Calabrian chili or chili flakes
- Basil
Directions
- Sauté garlic and chili in olive oil.
- Add tomatoes and simmer 15 minutes.
- Toss with pasta and finish with basil.
Campania
Caprese Salad
A fresh island-style favorite inspired by Capri.
Ingredients
- Tomatoes
- Fresh mozzarella
- Basil
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
Directions
- Slice tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Layer with basil leaves.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season lightly.
Emilia-Romagna
Piadina with Prosciutto and Arugula
A quick flatbread meal from one of Italy’s great food regions.
Ingredients
- Piadina or flatbread
- Prosciutto
- Arugula
- Soft cheese or mozzarella
- Olive oil
Directions
- Warm the piadina in a pan.
- Fill with cheese, prosciutto, and arugula.
- Fold and serve warm.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Frico-Style Cheese Potatoes
A comforting skillet dish with potatoes and melted cheese.
Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Grated Montasio or mild cheese
- Olive oil or butter
- Salt
- Pepper
Directions
- Slice cooked potatoes thinly.
- Brown them in a skillet with oil or butter.
- Add cheese and cook until crisp at the edges.
Lazio
Cacio e Pepe
Roman simplicity at its finest: cheese, pepper, pasta.
Ingredients
- Spaghetti or tonnarelli
- Pecorino Romano
- Black pepper
- Salt
Directions
- Cook pasta and save pasta water.
- Mix grated pecorino with a little hot pasta water.
- Toss pasta with cheese cream and black pepper.
Liguria
Pasta al Pesto
A green, fragrant classic from Genoa.
Ingredients
- Pasta
- Basil pesto
- Parmesan
- Olive oil
- Salt
Directions
- Cook pasta until al dente.
- Toss with pesto off the heat.
- Add a splash of pasta water and parmesan.
Lombardy
Risotto alla Milanese, Simple Style
A golden rice dish with saffron and parmesan.
Ingredients
- Arborio rice
- Onion
- Butter
- Broth
- Saffron
- Parmesan
Directions
- Sauté onion in butter.
- Add rice and stir for one minute.
- Add warm broth gradually, then saffron, parmesan, and butter.
Marche
Olive and Tuna Crostini
A simple appetizer with coastal flavor.
Ingredients
- Bread slices
- Canned tuna
- Green olives
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Parsley
Directions
- Toast bread slices.
- Mix tuna, chopped olives, lemon, olive oil, and parsley.
- Spoon onto toast and serve.
Molise
Cavatelli with Tomato and Ricotta
A small-region comfort dish with big warmth.
Ingredients
- Cavatelli or small pasta
- Tomato sauce
- Ricotta
- Basil
- Olive oil
Directions
- Cook pasta until tender.
- Warm tomato sauce with olive oil.
- Toss pasta with sauce and top with ricotta and basil.
Piedmont
Bagna Cauda Vegetable Plate
A warm garlic-anchovy dip served with fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Garlic
- Anchovies
- Carrots
- Celery
- Peppers
Directions
- Warm olive oil and butter gently.
- Add garlic and anchovies until melted into a sauce.
- Serve warm with sliced vegetables.
Puglia
Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe
A beloved Pugliese pasta with greens and garlic.
Ingredients
- Orecchiette
- Broccoli rabe
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Chili flakes
- Parmesan or pecorino
Directions
- Boil broccoli rabe and pasta.
- Sauté garlic and chili in olive oil.
- Toss everything together and finish with cheese.
Sardinia
Sardinian Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Bright, creamy, and beautifully simple.
Ingredients
- Pasta
- Ricotta
- Lemon zest
- Olive oil
- Black pepper
- Salt
Directions
- Cook pasta and reserve water.
- Mix ricotta with lemon zest, olive oil, and pepper.
- Toss with pasta and loosen with pasta water.
Sicily
Pasta alla Norma, Easy Style
Tomato, eggplant, basil, and cheese in Sicilian harmony.
Ingredients
- Pasta
- Eggplant
- Tomato sauce
- Garlic
- Basil
- Ricotta salata or parmesan
Directions
- Cube and sauté eggplant until golden.
- Warm tomato sauce with garlic.
- Toss pasta with sauce, eggplant, basil, and cheese.
Tuscany
Tuscan White Bean Soup
A hearty country soup with beans, herbs, and olive oil.
Ingredients
- Cannellini beans
- Carrot
- Celery
- Onion
- Garlic
- Broth
- Rosemary
Directions
- Sauté onion, carrot, celery, and garlic.
- Add beans, broth, and rosemary.
- Simmer 20 minutes and finish with olive oil.
Trentino-Alto Adige
Apple Speck Salad
A mountain-inspired salad with sweet apple and smoky speck.
Ingredients
- Mixed greens
- Apple slices
- Speck or prosciutto
- Walnuts
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
Directions
- Arrange greens, apple, speck, and walnuts.
- Whisk olive oil with lemon juice.
- Dress lightly and serve fresh.
Veneto
Risi e Bisi, Simple Style
A Venetian rice and pea dish, softer than risotto and full of comfort.
Ingredients
- Arborio rice
- Peas
- Onion
- Butter
- Broth
- Parmesan
Directions
- Sauté onion in butter.
- Add rice, peas, and broth gradually.
- Cook until creamy and finish with parmesan.
Buon appetito from Mondo Italiano.