These dinner menu ideas cater to a wide range of tastes, whether you’re cooking for young, picky eaters or looking for some creative 30-minute meals. If you’re looking for recipes that are as simple as they are creative, check out our dinner menu for when You’re Not Sure What to Make!
Dinner Menu Ideas
Appetizers
Bruschetta, toasted garlic bread with basil, EVO & Romano
Calamari Fritti tender calamari, lightly breaded and fried, served with marinara
Carpaccio di Salmone, a “peppery” and slightly spicy arugula, shaved Parmigiano, drizzled with olive oil and lemon
Mussels Marinara are cooked in a marinara sauce flavored with parsley and garlic.
Mozzarella Caprese, also known as Insalata Caprese, is a simple recipe.
Italian Antipasto. This recipe is perfect for an Italian Cold Antipasto party platter.
The Sicilian Eggplant Caponata, a simple pan-fried appetizer or side dish of traditional Sicilian-Palermo cuisine,
Mussels with Garlic and Wine is a classic Italian dish. So easy to make, you’ll have a great appetizer in no time
Mozzarella in Carrozza. In Italy mozzarella in Carrozza is a mozzarella stick in sandwich shape
Salads
Caesar salad. A classic Caesar salad is one of the most basic salads accessible
Portobello Salad, this flavorful roasted portobello mushroom salad with fresh mozzarella
Arugula Salad. When it comes to a simple salad like this arugula Parmesan prosciutto salad,
Pizza
Margherita Pizza As the birthplace of true pizza, Naples, it should come as no surprise that the Neapolitan style is one of our favorites.
Pasta
Baked Ziti is a popular Italian American baked dish made with ziti or penne pasta and a marinara sauce.
Farfalle Chicken & Broccoli, Grilled Chicken, fresh broccoli, and homemade roasted peppers, sauteed with garlic & olive oil
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. A traditional Italian pasta dish is spaghetti aglio e olio.
Linguine with Clams, tossed in a delicious garlic white wine sauce is an elegant Italian dish that will impress everyone at your table!
Soups
Stracciatella Spinach Egg drop soup, with toasted bread and cheese
Pasta e Fagioli
cannellini beans, bacon & ditalini in a hearty tomato broth
Wedding Soup, with tasty little beef-pork meatballs, for a warm bowl of Italian comfort.
Sides
French Fries. How to make easy, crispy French Fries! restaurant style
Ground Beef Meatballs are saucy, rich, and flavorful, and they’ll be a big hit at your family dinner.
Grilled portobello mushrooms are brushed with a flavorful marinade
Mashed potatoes are an excellent side dish for meat, fish, or vegetarian main courses like lentils!
Garlic bread recipe is very traditional, with lots of butter and garlic loaded onto warm French bread
Sauteed Broccoli Rabe. The tender bitter greens are brightened with garlic, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice.
Sauteed Spinach. This recipe for sautéed Spinach is a simple and elegant dinner side dish.
Sauteed Broccoli. This recipe for sautéed broccoli is a simple dinner side dish.
Entrees
Chicken Piccata. A perfectly cooked pan-seared seared chicken breast, topped with a Lemon Butter Caper Sauce in this quick dinner.
Eggplant parmigiana, in Italy it’s nothing like what you find now. we never breaded the eggplant
Chicken Marsala is a rich, quick, and irresistible classic dish. The mushroom, marsala wine, and rosemary sauce is straight-up tasty!
Dessert
Tiramisu Recipe. This layered sweet, decadent cake is made with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and whipped mascarpone.