Pasta is a true Italian food staple. Its common to gravitate towards a heavy meat sauce and regular boxed noodles, but if youre looking for healthy pasta recipes that are packed with flavor and texture, give some of these tasty variations a try.
From Pane Toscano in Tuscany to the Italian sourdough bread known as Coppia Ferrarese, breads in Italy are a big deal. The countrys breads are diverse and are used for everything from sandwiches to vessels for dipping copious amounts of olive oil or spaghetti sauce. However youre pairing Italian food with Italian bread, try one of these homemade versions for something more nutrient-dense.
The worldwide food icon that is pizza originated in Italy and tends to be a wheat-based dough topped with sauce and cheese. In Italian cuisine, the Margherita pizza is famous and resembles the colors of the Italian flag with its fresh green basil, white mozzarella cheese and beautiful red tomato sauce. If youre looking to switch things up for Pizza Friday, give one of these alternative pizza recipes a try.
The soft, thick dumplings of dough otherwise known as gnocchi are another Italian classic. Gnocchi is popular for vegetarian Italian recipes, though it can also be combined with sausage or meat sauce for something a little more hearty. If you love this dish (who wouldnt?!) try making it homemade with Potato Flakes or even with a dairy-free alfredo sauce.
Sometimes referred to as the Italian version of grits, polenta is boiled cornmeal thats typically served as a side or main dish with sauce and meat. Its creamy and slightly sweet in flavor, making it the perfect dish to add to your weeknight rotation. As youll see below, polenta doesnt only have to be eaten in its most basic form. It can easily be jazzed up to be stuffing for peppers, or even a dessert!
