When it comes to cookingtraditional Italian food, most of us conjure visions of cheesy pepperoni pizza, big plates of pasta topped with oil and Parmesan cheese, or fettuccine alfredo. And often, these visions are accompanied by daydreaming about dining on sidewalks in Italy and enjoying picnics under the Tuscan sun.The good news is that you dont actually have to travel all the way to Europe to experience authentic Italian recipes. The art of Italian cuisine can be discovered within the walls of your own kitchen. Once your sauce is simmering, youll instantly be transported to a romantic and charming place filled with all the most sensational aromas.From lasagna to risotto, here are some of our favorite Italian dishesalong with some unique variations for you to try.
Lasagna
With its wide, flat noodles and layers of cheese and sauce, lasagna is a quintessential Italian meal. Lets start with a classic lasagna and move to a few creative (yet equally as delicious) variations from there.
Classic Lasagna
For a traditional recipe, this Classic Lasagna from Amanda Finks hits all the right notes. Its filled with pasta, ricotta, homemade meat sauce and a whole lot of cheese. If youre looking for classic flavors done in a rich and satisfying way, give her recipe a try.
Grain-Free Lasagna Florentine
This Grain-Free Lasagna Florentine is luxurious and decadent, made with garlic bchamel poured over spinach and ricotta layered between sheets of grain-free pasta (made with our Potato Flakes) and then covered in Parmesan and mozzarella.
Creamy Pesto Tomato Lasagna
Inspired by the need for comfort food, Maria brought this Creamy Pesto Tomato Lasagna to life. She incorporates two layersa red sauce, made with a cannellini beans and pesto, and a bchamel, made with Bobs Red Mill Nutritional Yeast.
Eggplant Lasagna Recipe
For a pasta-free vegetarian main dish, try this delicious Eggplant Lasagna Recipe. It incorporates ingredients like Bobs Red Mill Gluten Low Carb Baking Mix, fresh mushroom, onion, garlic, ricotta cheese and marinara sauce. Add some Parmesan and you have yourself eggplant Parmesan!
Dairy Free Basil Lasagna
If you dont eat cheese, youre in luck! With this recipe for Dairy Free Basil Lasagna you can still enjoy the vibrant flavors lasagna has to offer. With its mix of Bobs Red Mill Semolina Flour, zucchini, chicken sausage, ground turkey and Roma tomatoes, youll have so many other tasty ingredients to focus on, youll hardly notice the cheese is missing.
Pasta
Well start with an easy homemade pasta recipe, then move to some fun variations (like Pasta e Fagioli). Because after all, what is traditional Italian food without pasta?
Bobs Basic Pasta Recipe
For a classic pasta recipe, start with Bobs Basic Pasta Recipe, which incorporates just Semolina Pasta Flour, eggs, water and olive oil. Cook until tender, then top with your favorite sauce!
Parmesan and Garlic Whole Wheat Pasta
Chef Billy Parisi uses our Whole Wheat Flour to create a dense and flavor-filled pasta in this recipe for Parmesan and Garlic Whole Wheat Pasta. With the additions of butter, olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, salt and fresh black pepper, this pasta is sure to shine at the dinner table. The crushed red pepper flakes add a nice bit of spice, too.
Pasta e Fagioli
Pasta e Fagioli, or pasta and beans, is a traditional Italian dish made from simple ingredients. In this version, macaroni pasta is combined with cranberry beans, fresh herbs and pancetta for a rich and flavorful dish.
Easy Homemade Gluten Free Pasta
Even if youre going gluten free, you can still enjoy the beauty of fresh pasta. This Easy Homemade Gluten Free Pasta is made with just Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, salt and eggs, and has a wonderful texture and taste.
Cassava Pasta
This Cassava Pasta is made with our Cassava Flour and is tender and delicious (even without the gluten). We love the addition of turmeric, too, for a boost of color and beneficial anti-inflammatory properties.
Pizza
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, thats amore! Italians have a love affair with pizza, and for good reason. Go the route of a traditional margherita pizza or switch things up with a deep dish or pear and bacon version.
Whole Wheat Pizza Margherita
This Whole Wheat Pizza Margherita is from the Artisan Pizza and Flatbread in Five Minutes a Day book by Jeff Hertzberg and Zo Franois. With classic ingredients like mozzarella, tomato sauce, basil and olive oil, this pizza is an ode to our favorite Italian flavors.
BBQ Chicken Pizza
BBQ Chicken Pizza is now an American classic. This paleo version brings together the creamy flavors of cashew sauce with the smoky sweetness of barbecue and the kick of red onion and cilantro.
Easy Gluten Free Pizza Dough
For pizza with a gluten free twist, try this simple recipe for Easy Gluten Free Pizza Dough, which calls for a mix of millet and brown rice flours.
Skillet Pizza
This Skillet Pizza is the featured recipe on the back of our Artisan Bread Flour. It offers a crisp crust and an easy path to perfect pizza, complete with the toppings of your choice.
Gluten Free Deep Dish Pizza
This Gluten Free Deep Dish Pizza is thick, crusty and packed with cheese, meat and sauce. You can feel free to get creative with your toppings and also make it egg free, if youd like.
Pear and Bacon Quinoa Pizza
For our 2011 "Bake a Healthier Holiday" partnership with California Olive Ranch, we created this recipe for Pear and Bacon Quinoa Pizza. Its indulgent, cheesy and that perfect blend of sweet and savory.
Risotto
Risotto is a dish from Northern Italy that consists of broth and rice with a creamy consistency. Easy traditional risotto is entirely tasty, and so are the variations weve listed below.
Easy Traditional Risotto
This Easy Traditional Risotto uses all the typical risotto ingredientslike chicken broth, olive oil and short grain Arborio rice. We love the use of white wine and garlic, too, for a decadent dinner.
Farro Risotto
In this riff on risotto, farro is used as a stand-in for white rice. The golden beets and fried shallots make for an earthy autumn Farro Risotto.
Vegan Quinoa Mushroom Risotto
This hearty Vegan Quinoa Mushroom Risotto is easy to prepare and offers all the feeling of a classic Italian comfort food. As the headnote mentions, you can make your own cashew milk for this dish by simply blending one cup of whole cashews and one cup of water on high speed until smooth.
Green Goddess Quinoa Risotto
This Green Goddess Quinoa Risotto uses the quinoa grain as its base and adds in vegetables and green toppings like arugula, baby spinach, basil, peas, lima beans and asparagus tips.
Farro & Kale Risotto with Roasted Tomatoes
Kale and roasted tomatoes combine in this recipe for Farro & Kale with Roasted Tomatoes. The end result is garnished and served with parsley, additional cheese and roasted fresh tomatoes for a fantastic and seasonal summertime dish.
Focaccia
Focaccia is an Italian bread thats somewhat similar in texture to pizza crust. Its often used as a sandwich bread or eaten on its own alongside an antipasto platter. Traditional focaccia is surprisingly easy to make and can also be customized with some simple yet unique variations.
Easy Focaccia Two Ways
If youve never made focaccia bread, this recipe for Easy Focaccia Two Ways is certainly the place to start. Youll find an Ivory Wheat version and traditional version, both of which are delightful when eaten on their own or as an accompaniment to your meal.
Gluten Free Focaccia Bread with Garlic, Rosemary and Tomatoes
To enjoy the gluten free version of focaccia, consider this recipe for Focaccia Bread with Garlic, Rosemary and Tomatoes which uses our Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour. Dip it in tomato soup for a delicious and nutritious meal.
Caramelized Onion Rosemary Focaccia Bread
This Caramelized Onion Rosemary Focaccia Bread has a sweet and herby flavor and a chewy and tender interior. Plus, its beautiful to set in the center of the table when youre hosting a gathering for friends. Whether its your nonnas recipe and familys traditionsor something you tried at a cafe in Rome, do you have any favorite traditional Italian recipes youd like to share? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.Were always on the hunt for the next best plate of Italian pasta or slice of truly decadent pizzaand of course, Italian dessert too!From all of us at Bobs Red Mill, mangia beneeat well!