36 Recipes for Old-World Italian Food

36 Recipes for Old-World Italian Food

Read Time: 16 mins

36 Recipes for Old-World Italian Food2/36 Pasta Fagioli Soup 72 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband enjoys my version of this dish so much that he doesn’t order it at restaurants anymore. With fresh spinach, pasta and seasoned sausage, this fast-to-fix soup is a meal on its own. —Brenda Thomas, Springfield, Missouri (Sop up this soup with a piece of one of these types of Italian bread.) Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 228 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 841mg sodium, 27g

carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 16g protein

carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 3/36 Pasta Fagioli al Forno 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pasta Fagioli al Forno Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The name of this Italian-inspired dish means “baked pasta with beans.” But my busy family translates it as “super satisfying dinner.” —Cindy Preller, Grayslake, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 440 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 1029mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber),

22g protein

22g protein. 4/36 Nana’s Italian Roulade 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My great-aunt from Sicily taught my mother how to stuff and bake a steak in a jelly-roll style. It’s unique and really special in our family. —Roseanne McDonald, Days Creek, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 slice with 3/4 cup sauce (calculated without spaghetti): 331 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 1491mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 4g fiber), 26g protein. 5/36 Beefy Eggplant Parmigiana 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Beefy Eggplant

I was thrilled when the parmigiana won high honors at a national beef contest

Parmigiana Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I developed this recipe one summer when my husband grew eggplant in the garden. I was thrilled when the parmigiana won high honors at a national beef contest. —Celeste Copper, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 498 calories, 33g fat (8g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 841mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein. 6/36 Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce 92 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch

Home Total Time 50 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Once you’ve tried this tangy, yet delicate lemon chicken piccata, you won’t hesitate to make it for company. Seasoned with parmesan and parsley, the chicken cooks up golden brown, then is drizzled with a light lemon sauce. —Susan Pursell, Fountain Valley, California Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half: 232 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 346mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch. 7/36 Pressure-Cooker Penne with Meat Sauce 1 Review Contest

This pressure-cooker pasta is delicious and super easy

Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This pressure-cooker pasta is delicious and super easy. I like to serve it alongside a chopped salad with Italian dressing. If you have leftovers, try them spooned into individual ramekins and baked with a little extra sauce and cheese on top. —Virginia Butterfield, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 472 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 775mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 5g fiber), 31g protein. 8/36 Pizzelle Cookies 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Pizzelle Cookies

I create them using a pizzelle iron

Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings about 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These lovely, golden brown anise pizzelle cookies have a crisp texture and delicate anise flavor. I create them using a pizzelle iron. —Barbara Colucci, Rockledge, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 76 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 52mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 9/36 Creamy Polenta 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Creamy Polenta Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Dress up the polenta by topping it with sauteed mushrooms, onions and spinach

Serve this creamy polenta with roasted chicken or grilled pork instead of potatoes or rice. Dress up the polenta by topping it with sauteed mushrooms, onions and spinach. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 196 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 491mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat. 10/36 Best Lasagna 106 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Best Lasagna Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 50 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Want to know how to make

lasagna for a casual holiday meal?

lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can’t go wrong with this deliciously rich meat lasagna recipe. My grown sons and daughter-in-law request it for their birthdays, too. —Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 519 calories, 27g fat (13g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 1013mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 35g protein. 11/36 Italian Shredded Pork Stew 11 Reviews Italian Shredded Pork Stew Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 8 hours 20 min Servings 9 servings (about 3-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Need a warm meal for a chilly night? Throw

An irresistible sauce

together this slow-cooked stew that’s brightened with fresh sweet potatoes, kale and Italian seasoning. The shredded pork is so tender, you’re going to want to make this dish all season long. —Robin Jungers, Campbellsport, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 283 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 860mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein. 12/36 Short Rib Ragu 13 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Short Rib Ragu over Pappardelle Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 7 hours 30 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: An irresistible sauce

gives the beef in this short rib ragu another dimension of flavor

gives the beef in this short rib ragu another dimension of flavor. Nearly any starchy side, such as potatoes or polenta, will work in place of the pasta. Short ribs are my crowd-pleaser weekend meal for all occasions. —Missy Raho, Morristown, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup ragu over 3/4 cup pasta: 302 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 328mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein. 13/36 Shrimp and Spinach Risotto 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Shrimp and Spinach Risotto Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 4 servings Go to

min Servings 15 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I enjoy concocting new, healthy recipes and spinach is one of the few vegetables that my husband will eat. My creamy risotto makes a great side dish, but doubles as a meal-in-one as well. —Jennifer Neilsen, Williamston, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 405 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 187mg cholesterol, 906mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 35g protein. 14/36 Vegetable & Cheese Focaccia 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Vegetable & Cheese Focaccia Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 15 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe

Creator: My family eats this flavorful bread as fast as I can make it

Creator: My family eats this flavorful bread as fast as I can make it. Sometimes I add different herbs, red onion or crumbled bacon. It’s one of my best recipes!—Mary Cass, Baltimore, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 151 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 315mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein. 15/36 Turkey Scallopini with Marsala Sauce 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family requests this entree at least once a month. The slightly sweet Marsala sauce is

yummy over the turkey slices and hot cooked noodles

yummy over the turkey slices and hot cooked noodles. —Briana Knight, Ferndale, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (calculated without linguine): 459 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 341mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein. 16/36 Eggplant Zucchini Bolognese 32 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Eggplant Zucchini Bolognese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I roast the veggies while the pasta cooks, making this a quick dish. This meal-in-one dish blends rustic comfort with fresh flavors. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2

This recipe has always been dear to my heart

cups: 395 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 378mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 22g protein. 17/36 Spaghetti Meatball Supper 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 15 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It was such a joy to come home and find my mom making spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. This recipe has always been dear to my heart. —Debbie Heggie, Laramie, Wyoming Nutrition Facts: 1 cup (calculated without spaghetti): 254 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 798mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (4g

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

Best Lasagna 106 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Best Lasagna Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 50 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Want to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal?

Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.

Italian Shredded Pork Stew 11 Reviews Italian Shredded Pork Stew Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 8 hours 20 min Servings 9 servings (about 3-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Need a warm meal for a chilly night?

Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.

⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

  • Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

  • Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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