Our full guide on the Best Dishes To Try In Italy from Spaghetti to Tiramisu for you to try and cook at home.
Italy is renowned for its rich and diverse culinary traditions. Here are some of the best Italian dishes you must try, along with recipe guides, cooking tips, and approximate calorie counts.
Read here best Italian food, vegetarian food in Italy, best drinks in Italy and best breakfast in Italy
Read Here Things to know before visiting Italy and how to buy a sim card in Italy
WHERE TO STAY IN ITALY
You can access a dorm that can go up to €18-30. And while a hotel that is a double room in a budget can go up to €90.
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1. Pasta Carbonara
Ingredients:
12 ounces spaghetti
4 large eggs
1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
4 ounces pancetta, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain. In a large skillet, cook the pancetta over medium heat until crispy. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
Mix Eggs and Cheese: In a bowl, whisk together eggs and grated cheese. Add the hot pasta to the skillet with pancetta. Remove from heat and quickly pour in the egg and cheese mixture, stirring constantly. Add reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Work quickly to avoid scrambling the eggs. Use freshly grated Pecorino Romano for the best flavor.
Calories: Approximately 400-450 per serving.
Read here how to make Spaghetti Carbonara
2. Margherita Pizza
Ingredients:
Pizza dough
1 cup tomato sauce
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
Fresh basil leaves
Olive oil
Salt to taste
Instructions:
Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the dough. Arrange slices of mozzarella on top and sprinkle with salt.
Preheat the oven to its highest setting (usually around 500°F) and bake the pizza for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Use a pizza stone for a crispier crust. Fresh, high-quality ingredients make a big difference in this simple dish.
Calories: Approximately 250-300 per slice.
Read here how to make Margherita Pizza
3. Risotto alla Milanese
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
1 pinch saffron threads
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Heat the chicken broth and keep it warm. In a large saucepan, melt butter and sauté the onion until translucent. Add the rice and cook until it is lightly toasted.
Add the white wine and cook until absorbed. Add a ladle of warm broth and stir until absorbed. Continue adding broth one ladle at a time, stirring constantly, until the rice is creamy and al dente.
Stir in saffron threads, Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Stir constantly to release the rice’s starch and create a creamy texture. Use a good quality dry white wine for the best flavor.
Calories: Approximately 300-350 per serving.
Read here how to make Risotto
4. Osso Buco
Ingredients:
4 veal shanks
1 cup flour
1/4 cup olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dry white wine
2 cups beef broth
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Dredge veal shanks in flour, shaking off excess. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and brown the veal shanks on all sides. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened. Add the white wine and cook until reduced by half.
Return veal shanks to the skillet and add beef broth, diced tomatoes, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for about 2 hours, until the meat is tender.
Serve with gremolata (a mixture of lemon zest, garlic, and parsley) for added flavor. Slow cooking ensures tender and flavorful meat.
Calories: Approximately 500-550 per serving.
Read here how to make Osso Buco
5. Tiramisu
Ingredients:
6 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup mascarpone cheese
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 cups strong brewed coffee, cooled
1/2 cup coffee liqueur (optional)
2 packages ladyfingers
Cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions:
Beat egg yolks and sugar together until thick and pale. Add mascarpone cheese and mix until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into the mascarpone mixture.
Combine coffee and coffee liqueur. Dip each ladyfinger quickly into the coffee mixture and arrange in a single layer in a dish. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers. Repeat with another layer of dipped ladyfingers and the remaining mascarpone mixture.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Dust with cocoa powder before serving.
Don’t soak the ladyfingers too long in the coffee to prevent them from becoming soggy. For a stronger coffee flavor, use espresso instead of regular coffee.
Calories: Approximately 400-450 per serving.
Read here how to make Tiramisu
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.