One bite of this delicious tomato sauce will make you feel like you're dining in an authentic Italian trattoria, without ever leaving your kitchen!

A classic Italian pasta made with dried bucatini pasta, cherry tomatoes, guanciale (or pancetta), rosemary, Pecorino cheese, and plenty of black pepper.

This light and zesty lemon ricotta pasta with spinach makes a delish weeknight meal ready in less than 15 minutes. Simple, fresh ingredients, delicious flavor, and minimal effort.

Over 35 Best Italian Side Dishes to pair with your Italian dinner including fresh salads, crispy bread, soups, roasted vegetables, and more. One of our favorites is this Italian Pasta Salad.

This Pasta Gricia recipe is one of the pillars of Roman pasta, along with: Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe and Amatriciana! With a creamy pecorino cheese sauce and fine Italian guanciale, you'll love this dish!

Recipe and photos By Cody Owens I’m a big fan of foods that seem fancy but in reality are pretty simple. A well-executed French omelet, crab legs, tartines, a cheese board, mussels in white wine sauce . . . you get the idea. At least for me, eating these kinds of foods brings with it a certain level of, “Wow! Look at me! I’m so fancy!” but also the realization that just about anyone can make them with a little practice. This Tomato Confit and Whipped Feta recipe definitely checks all those boxes for me. It’s minimal effort with a maximum fancy-smancy payoff. I can all but guarantee that if you bring this to a party, you will be automatically named the Belle or Beau of the Ball and people will whisper to one another about how they think you’re the next coming of Julia Child. Is it a spread? Is it a dip? Who knows? What I do know is that it’s incredibly versatile, and you can save the extra confit tomatoes and oil and put them on just about anything. The same goes for the whipped feta. It’s herbaceous, a little sweet, a little salty, and takes maybe three minutes to come together. So, point those fancy pinky fingers to the sky and let’s get into it, y’all. Tomato Confit Ingredients: Cherry tomatoes Olive oil 2+ dried chili peppers 1 head of garlic Salt Several sprigs of thyme (or any herb you like—I used chives here because I was out of thyme) Instructions: In a deep, oven-safe dish, add enough cherry tomatoes to cover the bottom. This can vary depending on the size of the dish. I like to use the cherry tomatoes that are still on the vine because I like the presentation of this on the plate. Add the head of garlic (cut crosswise), herbs, peppers, and salt Pour enough olive oil into the dish to cover most of the tomatoes. It’s OK if some of the tops are exposed because they will cook down eventually. Bake in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour and a half. Pull it and let it cool. Whipped Feta Ingredients: 1 block of feta Roughly the same amount of Greek yogurt (maybe three big scoops. The main thing is to use roughly the same amount of yogurt and feta, so you can scale this up or down.) 1 tablespoon of honey A handful each of fresh dill, parsley, and chives (save some for serving) A big pinch of salt Instructions: In a food processor, add all the ingredients and blitz them for at least a minute, stopping every so often to scrape the sides and make sure everything is getting mixed up. Keep going until it’s airy and seems “fluffy.” I like to throw it in the fridge before serving to let it get nice and chilled. To serve, spread onto a plate. Add the tomatoes on top with some of the oil and serve with whatever kind of bread you like. Also great with crudités or anything you like to dip. BONUS RECIPE! (Kinda) One of my favorite things to do with the leftovers is to get some pita bread and fill it with the whipped feta, cucumbers (I used pickled zucchinis here because I had some), grilled chicken, confit tomatoes, and fresh herbs.

My love affair with Italian cuisine began unexpectedly on a trip to Rome years ago. Having heard jokes about bland pasta and pizza, I didn't have high expectations. But the moment I took my first bite of a simple margherita pizza from a hole-in-the-wall joint near the Trevi Fountain, an entire world of flavor exploded on my tastebuds. The bright tomato sauce, the fresh milky mozzarella, the crisp-yet-chewy crust...it was a revelation.

30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata is the ultimate quick and easy weeknight dinner. Starring simple, fresh ingredients, it will become a family favorite!

Giada's simple bolognese is a longtime favorite among readers, and it's no question why.

If you're looking for some good Italian food to try this week, then here are Italian dishes that will satisfy your cravings!

A slow braised Italian style pot roast in a tasty tomato sauce.

The brilliant no-cook sauce blows me away every time.

This tomato bruschetta recipe is so simple but can deliver phenomenal taste. Fact: you can make something delicious with just a handful of ingredients.

Shrimp Fra Diavolo is classic Italian cuisine. The dish is known for being spicy, but it's easy to control how much heat you add to the dish (see Notes). And it comes together in about 45 minutes or less!

Slices of grilled eggplant are flavored with olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, and parsley in this easy summer side dish full of delicious Italian flavors.

Hosting a gathering? Don't forget to provide tasty food for your guests. This list of amazing Italian appetizers will make your party a hit.

One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta with spinach and mozzarella will become your savior on busy weeknights. Ready in under 30 minutes and picky eater-approved, this skillet pasta is a crowd favorite.

There is nothing better than mixing up fettuccine noodles in a homemade Alfredo sauce tossed with shrimp! This easy recipe will make you feel like a chef your family will love. Be creative and add some broccoli with a garlic bread and cheese side.

Italian quesadillas pack simple ingredients like mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, basil, and rotisserie chicken into an easy meal your family will love! A quick weeknight meal that is ready in less than 15 minutes!

Kick off a classic Italian meal with these gorgeous grilled veggies. Serve with fresh focaccia, olives and cured meats for an impressive spread

An Italian style eggplant sauce with sweet and sour aspects that’s perfect as an appetizer (with crostini), a side or tossed with pasta for a meal!

Giada's healthy Italian recipes will leave you feeling just as good as they taste. When most people think of Italian food in the 'states, we conjure up images of spaghetti, lasagna, the cheesiest pizzas... but in reality, much of Italian food is actually pretty light, nutritious, and generally comes in much smaller portion sizes than what we expect at our favorite Red Sauce restaurant! While there's definitely a time and place for bringing on the cheese and decadence, these quintessentially Italian recipes are great for any weeknight - not just times of indulgence! Giada is known for her healthier and fresher spins on a lot of heavy dishes as well, and we've got some of her best healthy Italian recipes right here for all of your inspiration needs. Healthy Italian Recipes Healthier Chicken Parmesan This isn't the breadcrumb-dredged and deep-fried dish that comes to mind! This lightened up chicken parm gets loads of flavor from an herbacious tomato sauce. Pasta with Vegetable Bolognese This is one of Giada's ultimate signature dishes, and with good reason! It's a fan-favorite at Giada Vegas too. This combination of vegetables creates a super hearty and surprisingly meaty sauce that even the most carniverous of people would love. Asaparagus with Grilled Melon Salad In Italy - especially Tuscany - melon is used in savory applications all of the time. In this particular recipe, the combo of sweet grilled melon, bright tomatoes and savory asparagus makes an amazing side dish. Weeknight Sheet Pan Eggplant Parm Not only is this a significantly lightened-up version of eggplant parm, but it's so much easier to pull off than the original recipe! No dredging, no dirtying bowls, no deep frying - you can make this entire dinner on one sheet pan. Campanelle with Salmon Puttanesca Sauce Puttanesca is a traditional Italian sauce from Naples, made with lots of of pantry ingredients like olives and capers. this version gets brightened up with cherry tomatoes, herbs and fresh salmon - creating a super light, but really flavorful "sauce". Zucchini Sottolio Sottolio refers to an Italian cooking method of preserving vegetables in oil, and it makes for a great flavorful vegetable snack. Instant Pot Turkey Bolognese This isn't the traditional super decadent beef bolognese you might be used to (which is so delicious - but there's a time and place!). This recipe uses turkey as the meat, and after hanging out in the Instant pot with marinara sauce for a bit, it tastes like a rich sauce that's been simmering for hours. Dairy-Free Chicken Marsala At many Italian-American restaurants, chicken marsala is covered in a rich and creamy sauce - and this version still packs a ton of that traditional flavor, but without any cream or butter. You can even use rice flour for the chicken to make it gluten free! Not-So-Fried Zucchini Fried zucchini is such an addictingly tasty snack, and even though this version is baked in the oven, it still delivers all that amazing crispy-crunch thanks to Panko breadcrumbs. Roman Tomato Salad Halfway between antipasto and a salad, this dish is full of the flavors of Rome. It’s a great dairy-free riff on the usual caprese salad, and a wonderful celebration of summer’s ripest tomatoes. Pork Chops Alla Pizzaiola Pizzaiola is a quick Italian tomato sauce that gets a bunch of flavor from aromatics like onions, and lots of fresh herbs. It's a really light sauce that brings a ton of character to any simple protein - in this case, pork chops! Classic Italian Turkey Meatballs For such a delicious traditional recipe, you'd be surprised by how light these meatballs really are! Made with turkey and just enough Parmesan to help bind them together, it's a protein-rich recipe that's perfect to make ahead for snacks, lunches or dinners! Tuna, White Bean and Bitter Greens Salad White beans are used in tons of dishes in Tuscany, and they're a great underrated ingredient here in the 'states! They're full of good fats, fiber and help keep you full. You can literally toss this sophisticated salad together in about 10 minutes. Gluten Free Pasta We wouldn't steer you wrong, and even if you're skeptical of this recipe, we ask you to trust us! It's amazing how much chew this pasta has, and it comes together pretty easily too. The kicker is that you must use Cup4Cup brand flour - anything else won't work (we've tried!). Slow Cooker Quinoa Minestrone This minestrone packs a serious nutritional punch with quinoa instead of pasta or rice. It’s a brightly flavored, delicious soup that will transport you from winter to spring! ' Sicilian Tuna Sandwiches These zesty open-faced sandwhiches taste light and decadent all at once. They'll transport you to a sunny Italian beach day as soon as you take a bite! Vegan Mushroom Risotto Risotto is usually a super creamy, buttery, rich, cheesy dish that, let's face it, is crazy delicious. This version still brings on a wonderfully rich flavor from dried mushrooms, and the arborio rice releases starch that makes it naturally super creamy. Lightened-Up Alfredo Every bit as creamy as your favorite jarred (or restaurant) Alfredo sauce, this sneakily healthier version gets its body and fresh flavor from light cream cheese and chicken stock instead of heavy cream and butter. Toss in a few steamed shrimp, broccoli florets, or chunks of grilled chicken for variety. Gluten Free Sole With Lemon Caper Sauce This super-quick dinner is bursting with fresh flavor, and brown rice flour keeps the fish crispy… and gluten free. Win win! Italian Sheet Pan Chicken This assertively seasoned chicken has all the flavor of chicken cacciatore, but it's roasted on one sheetpan (along with some bread that soaks up all the juices and makes an amazing salad, a la Zuni cafe!) Spaghetti with Zucchini and Squash This super-simple pasta is tossed with strips of summer squash and zucchini, which bulks it up without packing on the calories! Slow Roasted Salmon This beautiful roasted salmon is sure to impress, and it's also super nutritious and light. It gets a bunch of zingy flavor from whole grain mustard, fennel and coriander. Eggplant and Zucchini Scapece The veggies are grilled just enough to cook off the raw flavor, but not enough to make them mushy. Once marinated in the zesty vinaigrette, their texture becomes dense and meaty. Lighter Carbonara A great way to lean out any pasta dish is to add more veggies, and in the case of this lighter carbonara, Giada uses ribbons of zucchini that still feel like noodles, but significantly cut down on the calories. Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Swiss Chard This veggie-loaded pasta is packed with nutrition, and extra protein and fiber from whole-wheat pasta. This is a fabulous dish to feel super full and satisfied. Lemon Basil Sorbetto This simple sorbet hardly requires any ingredients, and it’s the perfect refresher to the end of a meal or anytime on a hot sunny day. Raffy's Strawberries and Vinegar Marinating strawberries in sugar and red wine vinegar releases their natural juices, creating a delicious tangy-sweet syrup. With no cooking involved, this is a great way to use strawberries at the height of their season.

This colorful bow tie pasta salad recipe works well as a simple side dish for a summer BBQ, potluck, or as a main course for a light lunch or dinner. Plus, it keeps well in the fridge, so it makes for a great meal prep idea.