70 Best Italian Dinner Recipes for a Hearty Family-Style Meal
You'll need lots of cheese.
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Whether you're a picky eater or a bona fide food enthusiast, there's one cuisine that has something for any type of eater: Italian! Pastas galore, rich chicken dishes—an Italian meal is a great choice for any type of gathering. Go ahead and put together these delicious family-style Italian dinner ideas for a hearty Sunday dinner, as is custom in many Italian-American households. We'll take any excuse to enjoy a big bowl of pasta, some buttery garlic bread, and a glass of wine!
Whether you're hosting a large gathering or just coming up with some easy dinner ideas for a busy weeknight, these recipes are just what you need. While there are endless pasta dishes in the mix, we're particularly enamored with the pasta ai quattro formaggi that calls for—you guessed it—four different cheeses. Ree Drummond's "Best Lasagna Ever" is also a top contender! Beyond the pasta course, we suggest trying your hand at the classic chicken piccata recipe or any of the other delicious chicken dishes. And of course, no Italian feast would be complete without some savory appetizers to start. Maybe the grilled prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe is calling your name?
Browse through all the amazing Italian dinner ideas below that you can try for yourself. They're simple and so satisfying.
Classic Lasagna
Ree touts this as the "Best Lasagna Ever," and it's surprisingly easy, made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Spicy Lasagna Hotdish
Try this alternative take on a lasagna, made with bite-sized noodles and a spicy kick of red pepper flakes.
Skillet Chicken Lasagna
You can whip up an Italian dinner in just 30 minutes with this easy skillet dish.
Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
Get the best of both worlds as chicken Alfredo meets jumbo stuffed shells in this outrageously creamy, cheesy dinner.
Italian Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
While your chicken and veggies are cooking in the oven, boil some pasta for an easy meal that will come together in 30 minutes.
Pumpkin Bacon Carbonara
The addition of pumpkin to a classic carbonara creates an even richer sauce, perfectly complemented by crispy bacon.
Butternut Squash, Sausage, and Tortelloni Sou[
Make this hearty Italian sausage soup even more delicious by incorporating butternut squash into the thick broth.
Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Cantaloupe
For the most delicious start to any Italian dinner, enjoy this salty, sweet delicacy that will wow your tastebuds.
Roasted Zucchini and Eggplant Puttanesca Pasta
For a pasta perfect for any occasion, this fresh puttanesca mixes roasted eggplant and zucchini in a vibrant tomato sauce.
Chicken Piccata
With its buttery, lemony sauce and pan-fried breading, a chicken piccata dinner will always be a winner.
Pasta Carbonara
Follow these easy steps to make a traditional carbonara. Serve it with a side of garlic bread for a true comfort food feast.
One-Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta
Whether it's a chilly winter night, or a sunny summer afternoon, this pesto pasta is a great choice for any type of meal.
Seafood Pasta in Parchment Paper
This frutti di mare, translated to fruit of the sea, can contain any of your favorite shellfish and type of pasta.
Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake
What's an Italian dinner without a classic chicken Parmesan? This pasta bake version is so easy to make.
Italian Pot Roast
If you've got a hankering for pot roast Italian-style, then this feast with roasted red peppers, artichokes, and sun dried tomatoes is for you.
Italian Drip Beef Sandwich
While Italian beef actually hails from Chicago, we think this tender dish belongs on any Italian dinner menu.
Italian Chicken Soup
This chicken soup with a twist is flavored with oregano and lots of Parmesan cheese.
Italian Meatball Soup
With mini meatballs and hearty veggies, this soup makes for a perfect bowl to cozy up with on the couch.
Chicken Parmigiana
Whether you like it served over spaghetti or with a side of penne, this chicken Parmesan dinner will be a hit.
Chicken Florentine Pasta
Instead of making chicken Florentine with a side of pasta, just toss it all together for one big bowl of deliciousness.
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