51 Italian-Inspired Recipes You Haven’t Tried Yet

Goat Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Chicken

This spinach-stuffed chicken breast recipe is special to me because it has so much flavor, yet not too many calories. I love Italian food, but most of the time it is too heavy. This is a healthy twist on an Italian dish! —Nicole Stevens, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Check out these must-have Italian cookbooks for eating your way through Italy.

Grilled Bruschetta

This is my go-to appetizer in the summer when tomatoes and basil are fresh from the garden. The balsamic glaze takes this bruschetta recipe over the top. I like to use a Tuscan herb- or basil-infused olive oil for this. But, it's great with just plain olive oil, too. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona

Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi

We had homemade gnocchi frequently while growing up. This creamy pumpkin gnocchi recipe was always my favorite. They do require some time to make, but they’re worth it! —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida

Pesto Vegetable Pizza

My family loves pizza, but we rarely have it delivered since I created this fresh and flavorful version. Always a winner in my house, it is a fast and delicious meal that even my young son looks forward to. —Kate Selner, Lino Lakes, Minnesota

Slow-Cooker Italian Sloppy Joes

These tasty sloppy joes with plenty of mass appeal are perfect for a gathering. If you’re making them ahead, simplify your morning by cooking the beef mixture and stirring in other ingredients the night before. Cool the meat sauce in shallow bowls in the fridge, then cover and refrigerate them overnight. The next day, transfer the meat mixture to the slow cooker to finish cooking. —Hope Wasylenki, Gahanna, Ohio

Mixed Berry Tiramisu

Because I love tiramisu, I came up with this deliciously refreshing twist on the traditional coffee-flavored Italian dessert. Fresh softened berries star with crisp ladyfinger cookies and mascarpone cheese. Serve it from a glass bowl or in clear dishes to show off the luscious layers. —Najmussahar Ahmed, Ypsilanti, Michigan

Arrabbiata Sauce with Zucchini Noodles

This popular Italian dish is flavorful and spicy. We decided to re-create one of our favorite jarred sauces and serve over zucchini pasta for a lighter, healthier meal that's naturally gluten-free. The results were amazing! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Green Chile Prosciutto Appetizers

I created these prosciutto appetizers for my husband who enjoys green chiles. He loves these rolls so much he could eat a whole pan! —Paula McHargue, Richmond, Kentucky

Spaghetti & Meatball Soup

A couple of nights a week our family ends up eating in shifts because everyone is going every which way, all at the same time. Having a hearty soup simmering in the slow cooker is an easy way to give them all a warm meal. —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York

(Sop up this soup with a piece of one of these types of Italian bread.)

Italian Meatloaf

My husband doesn’t even like meat loaf, but he’ll always eat this irresistible Italian meatloaf! He likes this dish because it offers a wide variety of flavors. —Myra Innes, Auburn, Kansas

Tomato-Cucumber Mozzarella Salad

I used fresh mozzarella for the first time last year and loved it. I wanted to incorporate it into as many dishes as possible and came up with this tomato cucumber basil salad. It has quickly become a mainstay at my house. —Jennifer Klann, Corbett, Oregon

Italian Cream Cheese Cake

Buttermilk makes every bite of this awesome Italian cream cheese cake recipe moist and flavorful. I rely on this recipe year-round. —Joyce Lutz, Centerview, Missouri

Italian Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini

I've always had to be creative when getting my family to eat vegetables, so I decided to make stuffed zucchini using the pizza flavors that everyone loves. It worked! We like to include sausage for a main dish but it could be a meatless side too. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

Turkey Scallopini

Quick-cooking turkey breast slices make this recipe a winner when you only have a few minutes to fix a satisfying meal. I've also used flattened boneless skinless chicken breast halves in place of the turkey of this entree. —Karen Adams, Cleveland, Tennessee

Blue Cheese Garlic Bread

This is an irresistible way to dress up an ordinary loaf of bread. Serve slices as an appetizer or with a meal. —Kevalyn Henderson, Hayward, Wisconsin

Mushroom Pasta Carbonara

I absolutely love this creamy and cheesy mushroom carbonara. I serve it with a side salad and rolls to make a complete meal. —Cindi Bauer, Marshfield, Wisconsin

Open-Faced Pizza Burgers

I'm not sure where I first saw this pizza burger recipe, but I'm glad I did! My family requests this meal often. A dash of oregano livens up canned pizza sauce. —Sharon Schwartz, Burlington, Wisconsin

Tiramisu Cookies

These tiramisu cookies bring out the delicious flavors of tiramisu, sandwich-style. Pack these treats in a decorative container for an easy edible hostess gift. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Peach Mango Caprese Salad

Summer in the Midwest offers a bounty of fresh produce. I wanted to come up with a new recipe for the harvested goods, and this bright, flavorful salad is the refreshing end result. —Richard Robinson, Park Forest, Illinois

Pesto Halibut

The mildness of halibut contrasts perfectly with the robust flavor of pesto in this recipe. It takes only minutes to get the fish ready for the oven, leaving you plenty of time to get started on your side dishes. Nearly anything goes well with this entree. —April Showalter, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Slow-Cooked Lasagna Soup

I modified one of my favorite soup recipes so I can prep it the night before and put it in the slow cooker in the morning. Slow-cooker lasagna soup makes a welcome contribution to work parties. My colleagues love it! —Sharon Gerst, North Liberty, Iowa

Portobello Melts

We're always looking for satisfying vegetarian meals, and this one tops the list. These melts are especially delicious in the summer when we have tons of homegrown tomatoes. —Amy Smalley, Morehead, Kentucky

Italian Pasta Salad

This zesty Italian pasta salad recipe combines vegetables and pasta in a creamy dressing. Refreshing and filling, this change-of-pace salad is perfect as a side dish. —Tina Dierking, Skowhegan, Maine

Find out what professional cooks have to say about grocery store dressings.

Parmesan Pork Tenderloin

I love all things pork, both old recipes and new. Here’s a dish I came up with myself. —John Hansen, Marstons Mills, Massachusetts

Chicken Parmesan With Spaghetti Squash

I grow spaghetti squash and herbs in my garden every year, so this recipe is the perfect way to use them up. —Kristina Krummel, Elkins, Arkansas

Slow-Cooker Spumoni Cake

I created this spumoni cake for a holiday potluck one year. It has become my most requested dessert. If you prefer, substitute semisweet chocolate chips for the white chocolate. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri

Parmesan Scones

The addition of onions gives these scones a nice bite. You can even stir in some basil or oregano if you like. —Jolie Stinson, Marion, Indiana

Favorite Lasagna Roll-Ups

This crowd-pleasing take on lasagna offers a new way to enjoy a classic dish in individual portions. And it requires only a few ingredients. —Susan Sabia, Windsor, California

Lemon Artichoke Romaine Salad

I created this dish when I was trying to duplicate a very lemony Caesar salad. I think my version is not only delicious but more healthful, too! —Kathy Armstrong, Post Falls, Idaho

That’s Amore Baked Potatoes

We add a touch of Italy to these baked potatoes with beefed up spaghetti sauce, pepperoni and more. Now, that's amore!

Spiced Pear Risotto

We love risotto and are always in search of fun and different ways to prepare it. I like to serve this fruity version with pork tenderloin.—Kim Berto, Port Orchard, Washington

Caprese Chicken with Bacon

Smoky bacon, fresh basil, ripe tomatoes and gooey mozzarella top this appealing chicken caprese recipe. The aroma as it bakes is irresistible! —Tammy Hayden, Quincy, Michigan

Artichoke Spinach Lasagna

Friends of ours served this homey dish when we visited them in Maryland. We just had to get the recipe, and we have since added a few ingredients to make it even tastier. —Carole Rago, Altoona, Pennsylvania

Sicilian Nachos

Crispy bread replaces the classic tortilla chips and savory meat sauce tops things off. This hearty appetizer easily doubles as a main dish. Add a salad and you have dinner. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California

Creamy Pumpkin Tortellini

My kids love the creamy, rich sauce on these tortellinis so much but they don't even know pumpkin is inside. Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best, nutty and delicious flavor. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Ravioli Casserole

The whole family will love the fun, cheesy flavor of this ravioli casserole. It's like lasagna—without all the fuss! Timesaving ingredients such as prepared spaghetti sauce and frozen ravioli make it a cinch to fix. Children can help you assemble this one. —Mary Ann Rothert, Austin, Texas

Slim Italian Deviled Eggs

When you’re in the mood for a cold finger food, try these deviled eggs. They are a cinch to fill and are an easy contribution to brunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Shrimp Pasta Primavera

They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. So when I invite that special guy to dinner, I like to prepare something equally wonderful. This well-seasoned pasta dish has lots of flavor, and it won't hurt your budget! —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland

Air-Fryer Italian Bread Salad with Olives

This quick and flavorful salad recipe always gets rave reviews from my friends and family. It’s a timesaver during the holidays, as it can be made ahead. —Angela Spengler, Niceville, Florida

Tuscan Fish Packets

My husband does a lot of fishing, so I'm always looking for different ways to serve his catches. A professional chef was kind enough to share this recipe with me, and I played around with some different veggie combinations until I found the one my family liked best. —Kathy Morrow, Hubbard, Ohio

Turkey Bolognese Polenta Nests

This delicious appetizer combines two of my favorite foods, polenta and bolognese meat sauce, uniting them into one incredibly tasty bite! —Lidia Haddadian, Pasadena, California

Mom's White Lasagna

My mom made this lasagna for special occasions, such as birthdays. When she passed, I inherited her cookbooks—tucked inside one of them, I found this recipe folded into a letter she wrote to me while I was stationed overseas. It's a hearty, rich dish that reminds me of home. —Janet Wing, Minot, North Dakota

Spumoni Baked Alaska

For a refreshing end to a rich meal, try this freezer finale. Its intriguing interior and pretty color scheme are bound to garner oohs and aahs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Sicilian Mac & Cheese

To give our mac and cheese a Sicilian touch, we mix sausage, basil and fennel with three cheeses for an incredibly comforting casserole. —Michael Cohen, Los Angeles, California

Tuscan Grapes and Sausages

This recipe is simple and elegant. The whole pieces of garlic in this dish become so sweet, a lovely complement to the sweet grapes and spicy sausage. I serve this over rustic hand-mashed red potatoes. —Melissa Zienter, Las Vegas, Nevada

Sun-Dried Tomato Meat Loaf

Our kitchen staff gives Italian flair to this lightened-up meat loaf by mixing in tangy sun-dried tomatoes. The recipe yields a large loaf, so save the extras for sandwiches! You can eat this sun-dried tomato meat loaf for days! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Baked Veggie Cups

These colorful veggie cups are not only tasty, but they also pack in a surprising amount of nutrition! The addition of mozzarella and Parmesan is the perfect Italian touch. —Cathy Horvath, Surrey, British Columbia

Cuccidati

The compliments make these Sicilian cookies worth the effort. It’s the best recipe for cuccidati I’ve found! —Carolyn Fafinski, Dunkirk, New York

Pressure-Cooker Sicilian Steamed Leeks

I love the challenge of developing recipes for my garden leeks, a delicious but underused vegetable. This Italian-flavored dish is a family favorite. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California