33 Italian Main Dish Recipes That Are Truly Tasty

Italian main dishes are always a winner, and with so many awesome recipes to try, you’ll never run out of delicious options. Some favorites include beef braciole, balsamic chicken with tomatoes, and fancy dishes like lobster ravioli. Italian cuisine changes from place to place, so it’s super fun to try as many different versions as you can. It’s truly amazing food!

Italian Beef Braciole Stuffed Beef Roll

Beef braciole in a bowl. — Beef Braciole. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Italian rolled beef in butcher’s twine is an Italian favourite made with thin slices of beef and boasting a rich tomato sauce. This authentic beef braciole recipe is a dish from southern Italy and makes a hearty Sunday dinner. You’ll find it a flavourful, filling and really tasty example of Italian cuisine.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef Braciole Stuffed Beef Roll

Easy Italian Pink Pasta

Easy Pink Pasta. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This pink pasta sauce isn’t just easy to make with alfredo sauce and tomatoes. It’s delicious and turns your spaghetti a shade of pink!
Get the Recipe: Easy Italian Pink Pasta

Ricotta Beef Stuffed Pasta Shells

Baked ricotta beef stuffed pasta shells are full of ground beef and four different types of cheese. It is a meal the whole family will love!
Get the Recipe: Ricotta Beef Stuffed Pasta Shells

Easy Shrimp Linguine

A tangy and delightful bowl of pasta with zesty shrimp and vibrant lemons, perfect for quick and easy recipes. — Easy Shrimp Linguine. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This classic Italian dish pairs linguine noodles with shrimp and a delicious lemon, garlic and herb sauce. Shrimp linguine is light but satisfying and it’s also easy to make. There are only 8 different ingredients in this shrimp linguine recipe, or 9 if you want a parmesan cheese garnish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Linguine

Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup

Sausage Tortellini Soup is a delicious option for lunch or dinner. It can be made with spicy or sweet Italian sausage!
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup

Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

A large servicing bowl of pasta and sauce. — Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Indulge in a delicious homemade Italian pasta dinner with pesto fettuccini and Bolognese sauce, bursting with fresh veggies in every bite. This hearty dish, featuring a homemade beef Bolognese meat sauce and fettuccine pasta, will satisfy your cravings for a flavorful Italian meal.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Italian Penne Rosa Pasta

Overhead view of penne pasta with a rosa sauce in a pan. — Italian Penne Rosa Pasta. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, try making this one-pot Penne Rosa Pasta with a creamy tomato sauce. This comforting and filling Italian dish is both tasty and satisfying and perfect for those who love a little spice in their meal.
Get the Recipe: Italian Penne Rosa Pasta

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Gnocchi made from sweet potatoes served from a cast iron skillet. — Sweet Potato Gnocchi. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Transform traditional Italian comfort food with this homemade sweet potato gnocchi recipe with roasted garlic sauce. The perfect vegetarian main course or flavorful side dish, this dish is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Roasted Cauliflower Carbonara

A dutch oven with a cauliflower pasta dish in it. — Roasted Cauliflower Carbonara. Photo credit: Roasted Cauliflower Carbonara.

This delicious Italian recipe is ideal for any pasta lover, combining roasted cauliflower florets with a creamy sauce that includes bacon, pancetta, and parmesan cheese. It comes out of the oven perfectly golden brown and caramelized and is sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Carbonara

Italian Tuna White Bean Salad

A large bowl of tuna bean salad. — Italian Tuna White Bean Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Simple ingredients combine to make this Tuscan classic. Juicy fresh tuna pairs with beans for a Tuscan tuna white bean salad everyone will enjoy. It makes a tasty meal, whatever the season.
Get the Recipe: Italian Tuna White Bean Salad

Ham Provolone Rosettes

Lasagna roll ups in cast iron pan. — Ham Provolone Rosettes. Photo credit: Ham Provolone Rosettes.

If you’re looking for an easy and aesthetically pleasing dish, try making Italian baked ham provolone rosettes. These adorable little pasta pinwheels, filled with ham, provolone, and parmesan, are easy to assemble and delicious, making them a crowd-pleasing favorite.
Get the Recipe: Ham Provolone Rosettes

Italian Frittata Recipe

A vegetable frittata cooked in a cast iron skillet. — Italian Frittata Recipe. Photo credit: xoxoBella

Straightforward to make and a treat to eat, this Italian vegetable frittata recipe is definitely a winning recipe. It’s simple to prepare, and you can mix and match the fillings depending on what you have in the refrigerator. It’s the perfect way to use up any vegetables or cooked meats you need to use up.
Get the Recipe: Italian Frittata Recipe

Meatball Marinara Subs

Two meatball subs on a tray. — Meatball Marinara Subs. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Savor the juicy homemade meatballs, tangy marinara sauce, and fluffy brioche buns in Italian meatball marinara subs – a satisfying comfort food that’s perfect for lunch or busy weeknights. These sandwiches are far tastier than the fast-food version and are sure to please anyone, regardless of their Italian heritage.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Marinara Subs

Italian Beef

You won’t be able to resist making slow cooker Italian beef again and again once you try it. This hearty and filling dish is perfect on toasted rolls or hoagie buns, and the slow-cooked beef is incredibly tender and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef

Mushroom Ragu

Elevate your pasta game with this delicious and flavorful mushroom ragu vegan pasta sauce made with garlic, wine, herbs, and various fresh vegetables. This homemade spaghetti sauce is perfect for vegans or anyone who loves a hearty and healthy meal and is sure to become your new favorite meatless ragu recipe.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Ragu

Lasagna Soup

This slow cooker lasagna soup recipe is the best you’ll ever try, with a hearty and delicious flavor that will satisfy you. Although there are quite a few ingredients, it’s an easy crockpot Italian dinner that is perfect for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Soup

Easy Balsamic Chicken

A picky eater recipe with chicken and tomatoes in it. — Easy Balsamic Chicken. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

This easy balsamic chicken is a quick and easy one-pan dinner that can be whipped up in under 20 minutes. The tomatoes and balsamic vinegar make a delicious, savory, and tangy sauce for a gluten-free, filling family dinner everyone will enjoy!
Get the Recipe: Easy Balsamic Chicken

Caprese Chicken {Five Ingredient!}

Grilled chicken breasts with tomatoes and basil. — Caprese Chicken {Five Ingredient!}. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

This Easy 5-ingredient Caprese Chicken is everything you want in a one-pan meal. It’s wholesome, healthy, delicious, hearty, total comfort food, and a family favorite. The best part is this gluten-free dinner recipe has only 5 ingredients and is made in one pan.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Chicken {Five Ingredient!}

One Pot Sausage And Kale

Parents Love: Penne with sausage and spinach on a white plate is a delicious and hearty meal that parents will adore.
Kid Friendly Recipes: Penne with sausage and spinach on a white plate is — One Pot Sausage And Kale. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

Need an easy dinner that takes less than 30 minutes? This One Pot Sausage and Kale is easy, healthy and family friendly. Be sure to make extras for hubby’s lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Sausage And Kale

Gluten Free Salmon Piccata

Italian Salmon with lemon and capers in a skillet. — Gluten Free Salmon Piccata. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

Get a healthy dose of omega-3 fats with this quick and delicious Gluten Free Salmon Piccata. This gluten-free dish is fresh, lemony, and salty and comes together in under 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Salmon Piccata

Easy Italian Meatballs Recipe

Meatballs and pasta in a muffin tin. — Easy Italian Meatballs Recipe. Photo credit: PinkWhen.

This easy Italian meatballs recipe is made with a blend of ground beef, Italian sausage, cheese, breadcrumbs, and the perfect blend of seasonings that will have your whole family asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Easy Italian Meatballs Recipe

Cheesy Baked Buffalo Chicken Pasta

An Italian main dish consisting of a bowl of pasta with chicken and cheese. — Cheesy Baked Buffalo Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: PinkWhen.

This cheesy buffalo chicken pasta bake is full of flavor and adapted from my Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip. Made with hot sauce, ranch, chicken, cheese and your favorite pasta. It’s all baked into one easy family weeknight dinner that’s made and devoured in a flash!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Baked Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta

An Italian main dish of pasta served with a fork on a table. — Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: PinkWhen.

This Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta is one of my favorite recipes made in the pressure cooker. Inspired by our Instant Pot Crack Chicken recipe, this one is made with shredded chicken, ranch seasoning, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, milk, bacon, and more. This is the perfect creamy quick dinner recipe the whole family is sure to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta

Bucatini Cacio E Pepe

An exquisite Italian main dish - a bowl of pasta adorned with a gold fork. — Bucatini Cacio E Pepe. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Bucatini cacio e pepe is a simple, classic peasant dish from Italy made with just five ingredients. This creamy decadent pasta uses sheep’s milk Pecorino Romano cheese along with starchy pasta cooking water to create an indulgent meal that’s both easy and economical.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio E Pepe

Smoked Italian Pasta Salad

You must try this smoked Italian pasta salad. It takes everything that’s great about pasta salad and adds a wonderful smoky flavor to it. Pepperoni, salami and mozzarella cheese are included in this summer BBQ salad along with a pepperoncini dressing.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Italian Pasta Salad

Chicken Ragu Pasta

A close up of an Italian pasta dish with meat and sauce, the perfect main course. — Chicken Ragu Pasta (Yummy 30-Minute Recipe). Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

This simple chicken ragu pasta may be easy to make and use everyday ingredients, but there’s nothing basic about its flavor. This yummy, savory, and quick-to-make dinner idea is bound to become a favorite family meal. Enjoy this homemade pasta with ground chicken in just half an hour.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Ragu Pasta

Lobster Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce

Italian main dish: Ravioli on a plate with sprigs of rosemary. — Lobster Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce. Photo credit: The Gourmet Bon Vivant.

Lobster ravioli is one of life’s greatest gifts, in my opinion. In this guide, we’re going to go through the step by step process, from making and breaking down your lobster, to pairing it with the best brown butter sauce. This is the special occasion meal to end all special occasion meals. Once you try it, you’re going to be fully addicted.
Get the Recipe: Lobster Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce

Tagliatelle Carbonara

A plate of Italian pasta with ham and parmesan on a wooden table. — Tagliatelle Carbonara. Photo credit: The Gourmet Bon Vivant.

Tagliatelle carbonara has to be one of my favorite, comforting, easy go-to meals. Despite its simplicity in ingredients, it has a complex flavor and is always an elegant enough dish to make for company.
Get the Recipe: Tagliatelle Carbonara

Lamb Bolognese

Italian Main Dish: Tagliatelle with meat sauce and parmesan cheese on a plate. — Lamb Bolognese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Lamb bolognese is a wonderfully flavorful twist on this classic Italian recipe. Simmered stove-top with carrots, onions, garlic, tomatoes, red wine, and fresh herbs, nothing could be cozier than tangles of tagliatelle nestled in the meat sauce.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Bolognese

Rigatoni Arrabbiata

A mouthwatering Italian main dish of pasta topped with fresh tomatoes and fragrant basil, presented beautifully on a plate. — Rigatoni Arrabbiata. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This rigatoni arrabbiata is a delicious, easy-to-make pasta with fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick weeknight meal that will change your life!
Get the Recipe: Rigatoni Arrabbiata

Paccheri Al Forno

An Italian casserole dish filled with pasta and cheese, perfect as a main dish. — Paccheri Al Forno. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Paccheri al Forno is a classic Italian pasta bake from Southern Italy. It’s a delicious and easy weeknight meal. Made with just a few simple ingredients, it’s hearty and ready in under an hour!
Get the Recipe: Paccheri Al Forno

The Best Vegan Pizza

An Italian pizza with arugula and tomatoes on a white plate. — The Best Vegan Pizza. Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

If you want the best vegan pizza recipe that has been tested relentlessly for the last couple of years, this is what you need to read. The best Neapolitan pizza should be airy and fluffy with an aromatic tomato sauce and cheese on top. And this is exactly what you’ll get if you make our recipe.
Get the Recipe: The Best Vegan Pizza

Lemon Garlic Pasta

An Italian main dish featuring a plate of spaghetti with lemon and parsley. — Lemon Garlic Pasta. Photo credit: Broke Bank Vegan.

This lemon garlic pasta is a quick, flavorful, and vibrant recipe that requires little effort in the kitchen! Al dente spaghetti is bathed in a light and zesty sauce before vegan parmesan is sprinkled on top. Now all you need is a glass of vino!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Pasta