Take a tour of Italy by way of your taste buds with recipes inspired by Italian cities such as: Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples. Try our collection of unique Italy inspired recipes.
Northern Italy: Lombardy, Piedmont and Liguria Region
Just below Switzerland is the Lombardy Region of Italy, home to the capital city of Milan--famous for first course dishes like rice, polenta and risotto. Osso Bucco Risotto is a typical Milanese meal, and one of only a few instances of a "Piatto Unico" - a dish where meat, typically a second course, and risotto, a first course, are served together on the same plate. Linguini Pasta and pestos originated in the Liguria coastal region of northwestern Italy.
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Panna Cotta with Strawberry- Balsamic Glaze |
Osso Bucco Con Gremolata |
Creamy Mushroom Risotto |
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Linguini Pizza | Butter Braised Portobello Mushrooms | Baci Di Dama (Hazelnut Shortbread Cookie) |
Northern Italy: Tuscany
As we travel south from the Lombardy Region, we begin to enter Tuscany. Tuscany is the birthplace of modern Italian - the Italian spoken today is based on the Tuscan dialect that dates back to the Renaissance period. This rural region has its roots in farming and produces some of the world's best olive oils, sheep's milk cheese and Chianti wine.
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Pork Chops in Wine Sauce | Olive Panzanella |
Northern Italy: Emilia-Romagna
Nestled between the Lombardy and Tuscany Regions, you'll find Emilia Romagna. The capital of Emilia-Romagna is Bologna, also known as the food capital of Italy. If that name strikes a chord, it's where the famous Bolognese sauce gets its name. This area is rich in their meats and pasta. Beyond Bolognese, Emilia-Romagna is the region to go to find delicious Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto de Parma and Mortadella.
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Charred Escarole with Cannellini Beans | Grilled Rosemary Flatbread (Piadina) with Arugula Salad |
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Pasta Salad with Prosciutto Crudo | Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce |
Northern Italy: Veneto
Cuisine of Veneto or Venetian cuisine has a centuries-long history, and it is significantly different from the other cuisines of North Italy. Veneto is one of Italy's northernmost regions, lying along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Much of the diet is based on fresh seafood harvested from these vibrantly green waters. Veneto recipes often call for seafood, such as prawns, crabs, clams, mussels, scallops, octopus, sea snails, and many kinds of fish.
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Venetian Style Scallops | Pasta e Fagioli‑ "Pasta Fazool" | Pappardelle with Mushrooms |
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Peas & Prosciutto | Cacio e Pepe |
Herb Roasted Pork Loin with Arriabbiata Sauce |
Southern Italy: Campania
Our tasty travels have reached Southern Italy and the Campania Region. If you've ever wondered where Napoletana pizza gets its name, Campania is best known for its capital city of Naples and their delicious Napoletana pies. Creatively shaped pastas, Water Buffalo mozzarella and San Marzano Tomatoes are also from this region. And with those two delicious ingredients, it should be no surprise that Campania, specifically, The Isle of Capri, is also famous for Caprese Salad.
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Southern Italy: Sicily
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and located just left of the "toe" of the boot that's mainland Italy. Home to Mount Etna and rich in Volcanic soil, Sicily produces an abundance of lemons, blood oranges, almonds, olives and fruit. If that weren't enough, Central Sicily is said to have invented the meatball, or "polpette".
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Roasted Cod with Orange and Fennel Gremolata |
Truffled Sea Salt Spaghetti Squash |
Marinated Sicilian Olives |
Southern Italy: Puglia
Our tour has finally reached the southernmost portion of Italy - Puglia. Also known as Salento Peninsula, it forms the high heel on the "boot" of Italy. This region is best known for its Pecorino and Ricotta cheeses, as well as its olive oil, artichokes, tomatoes and mushrooms.
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Orichiette a la Broccoli Rabe |
Taralli from Puglia |
Oricchette with Bacon & Tomato Sauce |
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Scratch Made Orechiette Pasta |
Coffee Cookies |
Panzerottini with Mozzarella & Tomato |
3 Ways to Use Prosciutto
Thinly sliced Italian prosciutto is often served on charcuterie boards, but we've got three more ways to serve this delicate cured ham.
How to Cook Pasta like an Italian
Learn how to perfectly cook pasta, including how much salt to add to pasta water and more tips to perfecting your pasta technique.
4 Easy Italian Appetizers
Four easy and delicious Italian party appetizer recipes to impress your guests without spoiling their appetite. See each recipe in easy step-by-step photo instructions.
Central Market Pasta di Gragnano
H-E-B Central Market’s Pasta de Gragnano line is imported from a small village in the hills of Campania near southern Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Pasta di Gragnano is made from hard-wheat semolina combined with fresh water from the Lattari Mountains.