Italian cooking is an art form, and chefs like Javier Burillo are masters of the craft. But Italian dishes don’t have to be intimidating to make. Even novice cooks can prepare classic Italian dishes with ease.
One of the best things about Italian cuisine is that the recipes are simple and straightforward. There aren’t any complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients, like pasta. With a few basic ingredients and a little bit of practice, you can create authentic Italian dishes in your kitchen.
If you’re looking for some classic Italian recipes to try, here are a few of our favorites:
Spaghetti and Meatballs
This is one of the most popular Italian dishes of all time. It’s simple to make, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Here’s a quick and simple recipe you can make at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
For the sauce:
- 1 (24 ounces) jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 4-6 ounces spaghetti noodles
Start by making the sauce. In a small mixing bowl, combine the water and the marinara sauce. Heat in a saucepan over medium-high heat until it starts to simmer, then turn down the heat and let it continue to simmer while you make the meatballs.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands.
Roll the mixture into small balls (about 1-inch in diameter). Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-18 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked through.
Add the meatballs to the simmering sauce and let it cook for about five more minutes, stirring occasionally.
To serve, place the spaghetti noodles on a plate and top with marinara sauce and meatballs. Garnish with basil leaves before serving hot.
Baked Ziti
This baked dish is also known as Pasta al Forno. The recipe calls for very few ingredients, yet it tastes absolutely delicious. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 (28 ounces) jar pasta sauce
- 2 cups water
- 8-10 ounces ziti pasta
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
In a large saucepan, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until it’s no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease and discard. Add the onion and cook until it’s softened about 5 minutes. Add the pasta sauce and water, and stir well. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once the sauce has reached a boil, add the ziti pasta and lower the heat slightly, so it’s simmering. Cover with a lid and let it cook for about 15 minutes or until the pasta is soft but not mushy.
Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve hot.
Chicken Cacciatore
This dish is a classic for a reason – it’s incredibly delicious! The recipe calls for simple ingredients, and it can be made in just one pan. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 ounces white button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, cored and chopped
- 28 ounce can tomato sauce
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then coat them in the flour. Add the chicken to the hot skillet and cook for about 3 minutes per side or until they’re browned all over. Remove from heat and set aside.
Add the onion, garlic, mushrooms, and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce and bring to a simmer.
Return the chicken and any juices that have collected to the skillet. Cover with a lid and let it cook for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve hot.
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