This article was written by Nicole Caldwell and originally published on Stacker.com
It’s no secret that Italian food is wildly popular—between decadent pizzas, pastas, and hearty soups, what’s not to like? You might not know, though, exactly how well-liked these dishes are. In TasteAtlas’ 2025-26 Awards, Italian food was rated as the best cuisine in the world. Additionally, the global Italian food market was valued at $25.5 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow from $27.15 billion in 2026 to $47.4 billion by 2034.While often associated with a night out at an expensive restaurant, Italian cuisine can be prepared cheaply and easily in your own kitchen, a boon for Italophiles who want to save money amid rising food prices. In fact, you can further embrace the spirit of Italian cooking by following the principle of cucina povera, or “poor cuisine,” which focuses on creating delicious meals using simple, affordable ingredients.
Whether you prefer old-school Italian food or a modern blend of global flavors, you can really make a restaurant-quality meal at home. From lasagnas and polenta to homemade meatballs and long-simmering gravy, Italian food capitalizes on some classic ingredients: garlic, onion, and garden-fresh herbs.
Of course, there’s much more to it than that, which is why Stacker has compiled a list of our favorite Italian recipes from Allrecipes for you to try. Keep reading to see what’s for dinner tonight.
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe (Roman Sheep Herder’s Pasta)
– Prep: 10 mins
– Cook: 15 mins
– Total: 25 mins
– Servings: 6
– Yield: 6 servings
– Number of ingredients: 4
– Read more about the recipe here
Torta di Mele (Italian Apple Cake)
– Prep: 20 mins
– Cook: 30 mins
– Total: 50 mins
– Servings: 8
– Yield: 8 servings
– Number of ingredients: 12
– Read more about the recipe here
Italian Shrimp and Scallop Risotto
– Prep: 20 mins
– Cook: 35 mins
– Additional: 2 mins
– Total: 57 mins
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 16
– Read more about the recipe here
Italian Baked Meatballs
– Prep: 20 mins
– Cook: 30 mins
– Total: 50 mins
– Servings: 6
– Yield: 30 1-ounce meatballs
– Number of ingredients: 10
– Read more about the recipe here
Traditional Spaghetti all’Amatriciana
– Prep: 10 mins
– Cook: 20 mins
– Total: 30 mins
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 10
– Read more about the recipe here
Hearty Minestrone Soup (Instant Pot®)
– Prep: 20 mins
– Cook: 1 hr
– Additional: 5 mins
– Total: 1 hr 25 mins
– Servings: 8
– Yield: 8 servings
– Number of ingredients: 18
– Read more about the recipe here
Lasagne Alla Bolognese Saporite
– Prep: 30 mins
– Cook: 2 hrs 48 mins
– Additional: 3 mins
– Total: 3 hrs 21 mins
– Servings: 8
– Yield: 8 servings
– Number of ingredients: 19
– Read more about the recipe here
Lemony Pork Piccata
– Prep: 15 mins
– Cook: 30 mins
– Total: 45 mins
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 pork chops
– Number of ingredients: 11
– Read more about the recipe here
World’s Best Lasagna
– Prep: 30 mins
– Cook: 2 hrs 30 mins
– Additional: 15 mins
– Total: 3 hrs 15 mins
– Servings: 12
– Yield: 12 servings
– Number of ingredients: 20
– Read more about the recipe here
Chicken Parmesan
– Prep: 25 mins
– Cook: 20 mins
– Additional: 15 mins
– Total: 1 hr
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 13
– Read more about the recipe here
Gourmet Mushroom Risotto
– Prep: 20 mins
– Cook: 30 mins
– Total: 50 mins
– Servings: 6
– Yield: 6 servings
– Number of ingredients: 12
– Read more about the recipe here
Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef
– Prep: 15 mins
– Cook: 1 hr 10 mins
– Total: 1 hr 25 mins
– Servings: 8
– Yield: 8 servings
– Number of ingredients: 11
– Read more about the recipe here
Brasato al Barolo – Braised Chuck Roast in Red Wine
– Prep: 30 mins
– Cook: 2 hrs 46 mins
– Additional: 12 hrs
– Total: 15 hrs 16 mins
– Servings: 5
– Yield: 1 2-pound roast
– Number of ingredients: 13
– Read more about the recipe here
How to Make Perfect Polenta
– Prep: 15 mins
– Cook: 35 mins
– Additional: 5 mins
– Total: 55 mins
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 5
– Read more about the recipe here
Ciabatta Bread
– Prep: 30 mins
– Cook: 25 mins
– Additional: 1 hr
– Total: 1 hr 55 mins
– Servings: 24
– Yield: 2 loaves
– Number of ingredients: 6
– Read more about the recipe here
Manicotti
– Prep: 30 mins
– Cook: 45 mins
– Total: 1 hr 15 mins
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 9
– Read more about the recipe here
Italian Wedding Soup I
– Prep: 20 mins
– Cook: 30 mins
– Total: 50 mins
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 10
– Read more about the recipe here
Eggplant Parmesan II
– Prep: 25 mins
– Cook: 35 mins
– Total: 1 hr
– Servings: 10
– Yield: 8 to 10 servings
– Number of ingredients: 7
– Read more about the recipe here
Homemade Four Cheese Ravioli
– Prep: 45 mins
– Cook: 15 mins
– Additional: 1 hr
– Total: 2 hrs
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 20 ravioli
– Number of ingredients: 19
– Read more about the recipe here
Italian-Style Tuna Salad
– Prep: 20 mins
– Total: 20 mins
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 10
– Read more about the recipe here
Chef John’s Italian Meatballs
– Prep: 20 mins
– Cook: 35 mins
– Additional: 1 hr 20 mins
– Total: 2 hrs 15 mins
– Servings: 30
– Yield: 30 meatballs
– Number of ingredients: 14
– Read more about the recipe here
Super-Delicious Zuppa Toscana
– Prep: 25 mins
– Cook: 1 hr
– Total: 1 hr 25 mins
– Servings: 6
– Yield: 6 servings
– Number of ingredients: 9
– Read more about the recipe here
Pasta Salad
– Prep: 20 mins
– Cook: 15 mins
– Additional: 13 hrs 20 mins
– Total: 13 hrs 55 mins
– Servings: 6
– Yield: 6 servings
– Number of ingredients: 8
– Read more about the recipe here
Shrimp Scampi with Pasta
– Prep: 20 mins
– Cook: 20 mins
– Total: 40 mins
– Servings: 6
– Yield: 6 servings
– Number of ingredients: 14
– Read more about the recipe here
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
– Prep: 10 mins
– Cook: 22 mins
– Total: 32 mins
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 7
– Read more about the recipe here
Balsamic Bruschetta
– Prep: 15 mins
– Total: 15 mins
– Servings: 8
– Yield: 8 servings
– Number of ingredients: 9
– Read more about the recipe here
Chicken Marsala
– Prep: 10 mins
– Cook: 20 mins
– Total: 30 mins
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 10
– Read more about the recipe here
Pesto Pasta
– Prep: 5 mins
– Additional: 10 mins
– Total: 15 mins
– Servings: 8
– Yield: 8 servings
– Number of ingredients: 7
– Read more about the recipe here
Homemade Lasagna
– Prep: 1 hr
– Cook: 45 mins
– Total: 1 hr 45 mins
– Servings: 8
– Yield: 8 servings
– Number of ingredients: 18
– Read more about the recipe here
Lemon Chicken Piccata
– Prep: 20 mins
– Cook: 30 mins
– Total: 50 mins
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 11
– Read more about the recipe here
Easy Lasagna II
– Prep: 15 mins
– Cook: 1 hr
– Additional: 10 mins
– Total: 1 hr 25 mins
– Servings: 12
– Yield: 12 servings
– Number of ingredients: 11
– Read more about the recipe here
The Best Parmesan Chicken Bake
– Prep: 15 mins
– Cook: 35 mins
– Total: 50 mins
– Servings: 6
– Yield: 6 servings
– Number of ingredients: 9
– Read more about the recipe here
Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs
– Prep: 20 mins
– Cook: 2 hrs
– Total: 2 hrs 20 mins
– Servings: 6
– Yield: 6 servings
– Number of ingredients: 17
– Read more about the recipe here
Slow Cooker Italian Beef for Sandwiches
– Prep: 15 mins
– Cook: 12 hrs
– Total: 12 hrs 15 mins
– Servings: 10
– Yield: 10 servings
– Number of ingredients: 11
– Read more about the recipe here
Italian Sausage Soup
– Prep: 10 mins
– Cook: 40 mins
– Total: 50 mins
– Servings: 6
– Yield: 6 servings
– Number of ingredients: 10
– Read more about the recipe here
Homemade Sweet Italian Sausage (Mild or Hot)
– Prep: 20 mins
– Additional: 12 hrs
– Total: 12 hrs 20 mins
– Servings: 12
– Yield: 3 1-pound portions
– Number of ingredients: 14
– Read more about the recipe here
Italian Sausage, Peppers, and Onions
– Prep: 15 mins
– Cook: 25 mins
– Total: 40 mins
– Servings: 6
– Yield: 6 servings
– Number of ingredients: 10
– Read more about the recipe here
Florentine Stuffed Chicken
– Prep: 5 mins
– Cook: 40 mins
– Total: 45 mins
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 6
– Read more about the recipe here
Tender Italian Baked Chicken
– Prep: 10 mins
– Cook: 20 mins
– Total: 30 mins
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 5
– Read more about the recipe here
Slow Cooker Lasagna
– Prep: 20 mins
– Cook: 4 hrs 20 mins
– Total: 4 hrs 40 mins
– Servings: 10
– Yield: 10 servings
– Number of ingredients: 11
– Read more about the recipe here
Italian Breaded Pork Chops
– Prep: 25 mins
– Cook: 35 mins
– Total: 1 hr
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 8
– Read more about the recipe here
World’s Best Pasta Sauce!
– Prep: 15 mins
– Cook: 1 hr 30 mins
– Total: 1 hr 45 mins
– Servings: 16
– Yield: 16 servings
– Number of ingredients: 14
– Read more about the recipe here
Meatball Sandwich
– Prep: 20 mins
– Cook: 20 mins
– Total: 40 mins
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 13
– Read more about the recipe here
Easy Pizza Sauce I
– Servings: 8
– Yield: 1 large pizza
– Number of ingredients: 9
– Read more about the recipe here
Garlic Butter Sauce I
– Servings: 1
– Yield: 1 serving
– Number of ingredients: 4
– Read more about the recipe here
Easy Italian Chicken II
– Prep: 5 mins
– Cook: 1 hr
– Additional: 1 hr
– Total: 2 hrs 5 mins
– Servings: 6
– Yield: 6 servings
– Number of ingredients: 2
– Read more about the recipe here
Roasted Chicken with Risotto and Caramelized Onions
– Prep: 15 mins
– Cook: 30 mins
– Total: 45 mins
– Servings: 4
– Yield: 4 servings
– Number of ingredients: 10
– Read more about the recipe here
Spinach Lasagna III
– Prep: 35 mins
– Cook: 1 hr
– Additional: 15 mins
– Total: 1 hr 50 mins
– Servings: 12
– Yield: 12 servings
– Number of ingredients: 16
– Read more about the recipe here
Rosemary Braised Lamb Shanks
– Prep: 30 mins
– Cook: 2 hrs
– Total: 2 hrs 30 mins
– Servings: 6
– Yield: 6 servings
– Number of ingredients: 12
– Read more about the recipe here
Best Marinara Sauce Yet
– Prep: 15 mins
– Cook: 30 mins
– Total: 45 mins
– Servings: 8
– Yield: 4 cups
– Number of ingredients: 10
– Read more about the recipe here
