Lasagna
Often eaten: Usually eaten as a main course during lunch or dinner.
Known for: Emilia-Romagna
Family gatheringCelebration
Photo: Dina Said (CC BY-SA 4.0)
4 dishes to discover
Food of Italy
Italy is famous for its delicious food that is loved around the world! From pasta to pizza, Italy has a rich culinary tradition filled with many tasty and fun dishes. Let's explore some of the amazing foods that Italy has to offer.
Featured Dishes
Meal Culture
In Italy, meals are special times to enjoy with family and friends. People like to share stories and talk, so meals can last a long time. Food is also a way to show care and love.
Eating Etiquette
When having a meal in Italy, it's polite to wait for everyone to be served before starting to eat. You might also see people using bread to scoop up sauces from their plates.
When People Eat It
Tiramisu
Often eaten: Usually served as a dessert after a meal.
Known for: Veneto, especially the Treviso area, which is often linked to tiramisu's modern form
Special dessertBirthday treat
Risotto
Often eaten: Typically served as a main course during lunch or dinner.
Known for: Lombardy, especially Milan and the rice-growing Po Valley
Comfort foodFamily meal
Pizza Margherita
Often eaten: Eaten as a casual meal during lunch or dinner.
Known for: Naples, Campania, where Pizza Margherita became famous
Casual diningFriends get-together
Make It Yourself
๐ฉโ๐ณ Cook together! Always ask a grown-up to help with hot or sharp steps.
LasagnaLasagne
Makes 6 servingsIngredients
- 12 sheetsLasagna pasta sheets
- 1 lb (450 g)Ground beef
- 3 cups (710 ml)Tomato sauce
- 2 cups (480 g)Ricotta cheese
- 2 cups (200 g)Mozzarella, grated
- 1 onion, 2 clovesOnion and garlic
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to heat the oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- 2Cook the onion, garlic, and beef in a pan, then stir in the tomato sauce and simmer.
- 3Spread a little meat sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
- 4Layer pasta sheets, ricotta, meat sauce, and mozzarella, then repeat the layers.
- 5Finish with sauce and a thick layer of mozzarella on top.
- 6Bake for 35โ40 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Let it rest before slicing.
TiramisuTiramisรน
Makes 8 servingsIngredients
- 24 cookiesLadyfinger cookies
- 2 cups (450 g)Mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml)Heavy cream, whipped
- 1/2 cup (100 g)Sugar
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml)Decaf coffee or hot chocolate, cooled
- 2 tbspCocoa powder
How to Make It
- 1Whip the cream until fluffy, then gently fold in the mascarpone and sugar.
- 2Pour the cooled coffee (or hot chocolate, for kids) into a shallow bowl.
- 3Quickly dip each ladyfinger in the liquid and lay a layer in a dish.
- 4Spread half of the cream mixture over the cookies.
- 5Add another layer of dipped cookies and the rest of the cream.
- 6Dust the top with cocoa and chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
RisottoRisotto
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 1 1/2 cups (300 g)Arborio rice
- 5 cups (1.2 L)Vegetable broth, warm
- 1 onionOnion, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp (45 g)Butter
- 1/2 cup (50 g)Grated Parmesan
- 1 cup (130 g)Peas (optional)
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to soften the onion in butter in a wide pan.
- 2Add the rice and stir for 1 minute so it gets shiny.
- 3Add a ladle of warm broth and stir until it is soaked up.
- 4Keep adding broth one ladle at a time, stirring, for about 18 minutes.
- 5When the rice is creamy and just tender, stir in the peas and Parmesan.
- 6Serve right away while it is hot and creamy.
Pizza MargheritaPizza Margherita
Makes 1 pizzaIngredients
- 1 ballPizza dough
- 1/2 cup (120 ml)Tomato sauce
- 4 oz (115 g)Fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 6 leavesFresh basil leaves
- 1 tbspOlive oil
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to heat the oven as hot as it goes (about 500ยฐF / 260ยฐC).
- 2Stretch the dough into a circle on a floured tray.
- 3Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the dough.
- 4Dot the mozzarella slices around the pizza.
- 5Bake for 8โ10 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese bubbles.
- 6Scatter fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil on top โ the colors of the Italian flag.
Vocabulary
While American pizzas often come with thick crusts and lots of toppings, traditional Italian pizzas like the Margherita are known for their thin crust and simple, fresh ingredients.