20 Traditional Yummy-licious Italian Dishes That You Must Try

Italians know two things best - to love and great food! Tastessence brings you a list of traditional dishes from this culinary giant to satiate your hungry soul.
Amita Ray
Last Updated: Aug 12, 2017
Did You Know
February 13th is celebrated as National "Eat Italian Food" Day in Italy.
The Italians are one passionate bunch when it comes to food, so much so that even their flag represents the colors of their food-red, white, and green. With few simple ingredients and a rustic style of cooking, the Italians love to let the flavors of the ingredients shine through. When it comes to flavors, Italians are a purists at heart. You just can't take a pasta and add your own twist to it without offending a few great Italian cooks.
This cuisine uses a lot of vegetables, in fact, you'll find many traditional dishes to be meatless. There are a variety of dishes that use different salami, Italian sausages, ham, seafood. Adding a little more finesse to certain dishes is achieved with the use of truffle and saffron.
We can definitely go on and on about the gastronomical wonders of this cuisine, and no matter how much we say, it is never going to be enough. So, without any delay, we give some scrumptious traditional Italian dishes for you to feast your eyes on. Buon appetito!
This cuisine uses a lot of vegetables, in fact, you'll find many traditional dishes to be meatless. There are a variety of dishes that use different salami, Italian sausages, ham, seafood. Adding a little more finesse to certain dishes is achieved with the use of truffle and saffron.
We can definitely go on and on about the gastronomical wonders of this cuisine, and no matter how much we say, it is never going to be enough. So, without any delay, we give some scrumptious traditional Italian dishes for you to feast your eyes on. Buon appetito!
The Italian Breakfast Spread
Sfogliatella
Flaky and buttery is this Italian pastry. Its extremely layered crispy texture sort of reminds you of leaves stacked on each other. Filled with a heavenly mixture of sweetened ricotta cream, semolina or almond paste, and cinnamon along with some candied lemon zest or orange zests is a great way to kick start your day.
Biscotti
Crunchy sweet Italian cookies loaded with all the goodness of almonds and butter. These are usually dipped in cappuccinos, lattes, or black tea. Sometimes, they are also had with red wine like chianti. Various modern twists on biscotti with hazelnuts, pistachios, chocolate, etc., are quite popular.
Fette biscottate, Cornetto eaten can be filled with jam or cream custard, Fruit Macedonia, Muesli and Yogurt, Panino, Focaccia with tea, Krumiri, Bread and 'nduja (spicy sausage), Crepes with pecorino cheese and honey, Zabaione, Espresso, Cappuccino, Caffè Macchaiato, Caffè latte.
Appetizers
Panzella
Some chewy stale bread soaked in olive oil and the juices of fresh plump tomatoes seasoned to perfection. This mixture instantly transports you to the Tuscan fields, doesn't it? Add a teeny tang of vinegar, the freshness of basil, and the sweetness of onions, and there's nothing else you'd want!
Bruschetta, Bresaola, Crostini, Insalata russa, Mozzarelline fritte, Capicollo, Culatello, Prosciutto and melon.
Main Course
Pizza Margherita
This might be the most popular Italian dish the world over having its roots in the Italian cuisine. Something about the simplicity of humble ingredients like fresh bread, tomato sauce, fresh Italian basil, and some oozing molten mozzarella, along with the generous drizzle of olive, create something this magnificent that just steals your heart.
Calzone, Focaccia al rosmarino, Ai frutti di Marre, Linguini with Clam sauce, Pasta al pesto, Spaghetti alla Puttanesca, Risi e bisi, Riso con i porcini, Cacciucco, Acqua pazza, Cacciatore, Cotoletta alla milanese, Saltimbocca, Carciofi alla romana.
Desserts
Cassata
Ice cream loaded with candied or dried fruits and nuts layered between stacks of liqueur-soaked moist sponge, along with a good helping of ricotta cheese. This is some serious dessert the Sicilians boast about. It is usually topped with candied fruits and sliced citrus fruits―a characteristic of Sicily.
Gelato, Profiterole, Zuppa Inglese, Pandoro, Semifreddo, Crocetta of Caltanissetta.
We bet this has got you craving for some Italian food! So wear your extra loose eating pants and run to a nearby Italian restaurant real quick!