Try these fresh takes on Italian classics to add a little wow to your everyday.
But there are plenty of decadent and delicious recipes that don’t featuretomato sauceor a whole lot of carbs.
(And plenty of creative ideas that take the carb-and-tomatoes combo to the next level!)
Photo:VICTOR PROTASIO
Adding a dollop of gooey burrata on top adds to the lushness of this quick and easy meal.
If you don’t love fennel, swap it for sweet onions instead.
Shellfish Spaghetti
Victor Protasio
Swap your meatballs for shellfish for a new take on pasta.
GREG DUPREE
But there’s another secret behind the sauce of this tasty pasta dish.
(Bonus: you could get this soup on the table in under 30 minutes.)
Cacio E Pepe
Sometimes the best pasta is simple with limited ingredients.
Greg DuPree
Cheesy Sausage Pasta Bake with Brussels Sprouts
This flavorful Italian pasta bake is the perfect comfort food.
Sausage and roasted Brussels sprouts get mixed in with rigatoni, and covered with Gruyere and Parmesan.
Serve with your favorite bread.
Caitlin Bensel
And it’s a perfect Italian dinner idea for the busiest weeknights.
Customize your toppings to freshen up your rotation.
Antipasto Salad
Make dinner easy on the hottest nights with this hearty salad.
Greg DuPree
Swap out the traditional cheddar for mozzarella and a mix of Italian cheesesyum!
An array of veggiespeas, asparagus, and arugulabalance out the cheese-filled pasta.
Pesto Skillet Lasagna
Fred Hardy,
Lasagna doesn’t have to be an intense labor of love.
Victor Protasio
This skillet version cooks up in under an hourand only dirties up a single pan.
Use refrigerated or homemade pesto for the best flavor.
Honey-Drizzled Soppressata Pizza
Make your basic pizza more special.
Carson Downing, Props: Lexi Juhl, Food: Kelsey Moylan
The mozzarella toast on the side is perfect for dipping.
If you don’t love the array of veggies we suggest, swap in your favorites.
Zucchini Frittata With Parmesan
Frittatas are easy, any-time-of-day meals.
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it’s possible for you to serve this egg-and-veggie combo for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
If you don’t have Parmesan, use whatever cheese you have on hand.
(And bonus: You barely have to turn on the stove to make this dish.)
Caitlin Bensel
Artichoke-Chard Pasta and Cheese
Think artichoke-spinach dip but as a dinner!
Serve with a light salad for a complete meal.
Here, hearty mushrooms and walnuts take the place of the traditional ground beef and pork in the sauce.
Caitlin Bensel
Slow-Cooker Deep Dish Pizza
you could take the pizza place off speed dial.
This super-simple slow cooker pizza is a hands-off delight.
Top it with capers, tomatoes, and olives to punch up the flavor.
Greg DuPree
(Mixing eggs into the vodka sauce helps the pie hold its shape.)
Ruffly mafalde noodles make it look extra fancy, but fettuccine works just as well.
You cook the whole thing in the potso cleanup is a breeze, too.
Victor Protasio
This calls for peas and salami, but any frozen veggie and protein will work.
Mini Squash Calzones
Calzones are a nice alternative to traditional pizza.
Clam Pizza
Clams on pizza?
Fred Hardy
Think linguine with clam saucebut make it pizza!
Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia
Focaccia is an Italian staple.
It’ll take about one and a half to two hours to get soft and puffy.
Greg DuPree
The final brush of olive oil infused with garlic and rosemary is what really makes this focaccia a crowd-pleaser.
Top with red onion, peppers, and melted provolone for a perfect and juicy combination.
While the salad is commonplace in the summertime, you could serve it year-round for a light Italian dinner.
Fred Hardy,
Spaghetti squash stands in for pasta in this healthier, plant-based take on the classic.
Fresh parsley or basil leaves garnish the dish for added flavor and stunning presentation.
Fortunately, it still tastes homemade with a rich, bubbly topping of ricotta and mozzarella.
Caitlin Bensel
Jen Causey
Fred Hardy
Sheri Giblin
Fred Hardy.
Greg DuPree
Caitlin Bensel
Victor Protasio
Alison Miksch
Victor Protasio
Greg DuPree
Greg DuPree
Greg DuPree
Fred Hardy
CHRISTOPHER TESTANI
Greg DuPree
Greg DuPree
Greg DuPree
Christopher Testani
David Prince
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
