Italian Recipes

Italian cooking spans centuries of regional tradition, vibrant spice blends, and weeknight-friendly techniques. Below are our tested Italian recipes — each with calories, per-serving cost, and step-by-step instructions designed to actually fit a busy kitchen.

15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

4.9 (84)

Buttery garlic shrimp tossed with linguine, lemon, and chili flakes. the pasta you make when you forgot to plan dinner and want to look like you did.

Time: 15 min
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 480 kcal
Cost per serving: $4.50/serving

Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup

4.9 (67)

Comfort-in-a-bowl with cheese tortellini, basil, and a velvety tomato broth. twenty-five minutes from pantry to spoon.

Time: 25 min
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 460 kcal
Cost per serving: $3.10/serving

Classic Italian Tiramisu

4.9 (96)

Espresso-soaked ladyfingers layered with airy mascarpone cream and dusted with cocoa. the Italian dessert that requires zero baking.

Time: 4 hr 25 min
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 460 kcal
Cost per serving: $2.80/serving

Spaghetti And Meat Balls

Spaghetti and meatballs is the ultimate comfort pasta — juicy seasoned beef meatballs slow-simmered in a rich tomato sauce, tossed with al dente spaghetti and finished with a generous shower of parmesan. A crowd-pleaser every single time.

Time: 40 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $3.00/serving

Spicy Beef Penne

Al dente penne tossed in a fiery tomato and minced beef sauce loaded with scotch bonnet, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Rich, satisfying, and ready in under 30 minutes — a weeknight pasta favourite with a Nigerian heat level.

Time: 40 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $3.00/serving

Seafood Pasta

This seafood pasta is a mix of shrimp, clams, mussels and scallops, all tossed together with spaghetti in a homemade tomato sauce.

Time: 40 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $3.00/serving

Alfredo Pasta

Pasta coated in a silky parmesan and cream sauce that clings to every strand. Rich, comforting, and ready quickly for a restaurant-style dinner made at home.

Time: 40 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $3.00/serving

Bolognese Sauce

If you get bored of your regular pasta sauces and dishes, Bolognese is an absolute show stopper. It goes beyond our everyday tomato sauce. Its an ultimate way of transforming a pack of mince beef into something yummy. Bolognese originated in Italy but has found its way to many Nigerian restaurants and kitchen. And yes, you can make your own home-made Italian Bolognese sauce in the comfort of your kitchen

Time: 1 hr 20 min
Servings: 6 servings
Cost per serving: $4.50/serving

Frittata

This is the Italian breakfast to reach for when there is eggs in the kitchen. On the table in about 22 minutes.

Time: 22 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Lasagne

Built on beef and onion, this Italian pasta delivers big for very little effort. Balanced, filling and easy to love.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Marinara Sauce

Here onion and garlic come together in an Italian one-pot main with real depth. The sort of recipe you stop needing to look up.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Meatballs

Bread crumbs and whole milk give this Italian side its backbone. Straightforward steps, dependable results.

Time: 28 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Minestrone Soup

This Italian soup builds its flavour on tomatoes and pasta shapes. Great for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend cook.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Oven Baked Lentil Bolognese

At its heart, this Italian pasta is simply spaghetti and plum tomatoes, treated well. On the table in about 50 minutes.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Pasta Primavera

There is real comfort in a pasta like this one, rich with asparagus and courgette. Great for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend cook.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Spaghetti Sorrentina

Here spaghetti and tomato sauce come together in an Italian pasta with real depth. Serves 4 without any fuss.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Rich and Cheesy Salami Pizza

Rich and Cheesy Salami Pizza pairs pre-made pizza base and tomato puree for a plate that tastes far bigger than its shopping list. Serves 4 without any fuss.

Time: 35 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

One Pot Tomato Pasta and Marinated Mozzarella

There is real comfort in a pasta like this one, rich with linguine pasta and garlic cloves. Make it once and it will earn a place in your rotation.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Spinach Pasta

Spinach Pasta keeps things honest: spinach leaves and garlic cloves, handled with care. Leftovers, if you get any, are even better the next day.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Easy Chicken and Mushroom Penne Pasta

Penne pasta and onion set the tone for this easygoing Italian pasta. A dependable answer to the what-is-for-dinner question.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

One-Pot Mushroom Ragu with Pasta

This Italian pasta builds its flavour on chestnut mushrooms and baby spinach leaves. Balanced, filling and easy to love.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Prawn Pasta with Kale

Linguine pasta and garlic butter do the heavy lifting in this Italian pasta. On the table in about 50 minutes.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Vegetarian Baked Ziti with Ricotta Cheese

Vegetarian Baked Ziti with Ricotta Cheese turns butter and onion into a pasta worth repeating. Ready in about 50 minutes with everyday kitchen kit.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Vegetable Lasagne Roll Ups

Here ricotta cheese and lemon come together in an Italian pasta with real depth. Great for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend cook.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Classic Beef Lasagne

This Italian pasta builds its flavour on lasagne sheets and beef mince. Balanced, filling and easy to love.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Asparagus and Lemon Risotto

This is the Italian pasta to reach for when there is risotto rice in the kitchen. Straightforward steps, dependable results.

Time: 50 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Barley and Butternut Squash Risotto

Butter spread and onion do the heavy lifting in this Italian rice dish. A dependable answer to the what-is-for-dinner question.

Time: 1 hr 25 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Beetroot Risotto with Toasted Hazelnut

Beetroot Risotto with Toasted Hazelnut pairs arborio rice and beetroot for a plate that tastes far bigger than its shopping list. Written for real home kitchens, not restaurant pass counters.

Time: 1 hr 20 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Butternut Squash Risotto

Butternut squash and onion give this Italian rice dish its backbone. Serves 4 without any fuss.

Time: 1 hr
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Chicken Cacciatore

Here chicken drumsticks and chicken thighs come together in an Italian one-pot main with real depth. Leftovers, if you get any, are even better the next day.

Time: 1 hr 10 min
Servings: 6 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Creamy Spinach and Garlic Penne

This Italian pasta builds its flavour on onion and spinach. Cook it low-key or dress it up for guests; it works both ways.

Time: 35 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Herby Risotto

Herby Risotto is an Italian rice dish that lets onion take centre stage. It asks little and gives plenty.

Time: 40 min
Servings: 2 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Mushroom Melt-In Garlic Pasta

Onion and mushrooms set the tone for this easygoing Italian pasta. The kind of plate that quietly disappears at dinner.

Time: 15 min
Servings: 2 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Mushroom Risotto with Mature Cheddar and Watercress

Arborio rice and mixed mushrooms do the heavy lifting in this Italian rice dish. Great for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend cook.

Time: 38 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Pasta Chips

This Italian pasta builds its flavour on pasta and jarred peppers. Make it once and it will earn a place in your rotation.

Time: 20 min
Servings: 6 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Penne Arrabiata

Penne Arrabiata turns garlic cloves and tomato paste into a pasta worth repeating. Great for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend cook.

Time: 30 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Penne Pasta with Orange Tomatoes and Squash

There is real comfort in a pasta like this one, rich with penne pasta and orange cherry tomatoes. Leftovers, if you get any, are even better the next day.

Time: 15 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Seafood Ragu with Gnocchi

Gnocchi and cherry tomatoes do the heavy lifting in this Italian pasta. Make it once and it will earn a place in your rotation.

Time: 25 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Slow Cooker Tomato Risotto

Few pairings work as hard as red onions and garlic cloves, and this Italian rice dish proves it. Ready in about 35 minutes with everyday kitchen kit.

Time: 35 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Spaghetti Bolognese

There is real comfort in a pasta like this one, rich with beef mince and carrot. Written for real home kitchens, not restaurant pass counters.

Time: 1 hr
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Spaghetti with Prawns and Herbs

Spaghetti with Prawns and Herbs is proof that spaghetti and raw tiger prawns rarely need much help. Make it once and it will earn a place in your rotation.

Time: 30 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Spelt Risotto

Few pairings work as hard as watercress and spelt, and this Italian rice dish proves it. The kind of plate that quietly disappears at dinner.

Time: 43 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

This Italian pasta stretches sweet potatoes and tenderstem broccoli into something quietly special. Balanced, filling and easy to love.

Time: 35 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Tuscan Ribollita

Few pairings work as hard as onion and carrot, and this Italian soup proves it. Written for real home kitchens, not restaurant pass counters.

Time: 1 hr 15 min
Servings: 6 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Vegetable Risotto and Arancini Balls

Here butternut squash and peas come together in an Italian rice dish with real depth. Straightforward steps, dependable results.

Time: 25 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Vegetable Risotto

At its heart, this Italian rice dish is simply arborio rice and white wine, treated well. Leftovers, if you get any, are even better the next day.

Time: 45 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving

Wild Mushroom Lasagne

This is the Italian pasta to reach for when there is mixed mushrooms in the kitchen. Balanced, filling and easy to love.

Time: 1 hr 15 min
Servings: 4 servings
Cost per serving: $2.50/serving