Italian cuisine is a Mediterranean cuisine made up of ingredients, recipes, and cooking techniques that have been established throughout the Italian Peninsula since antiquity and then spread over the world with waves of Italian diaspora. Italian cuisine includes deeply ingrained national traditions as well as all local gastronomies that differ from one another, particularly between the north and south of Italy, which are always in contact. Because one of the fundamental characteristics of Italian cuisine is its simplicity, with many dishes consisting of only a few ingredients, Italian cooks frequently focus on the quality of the ingredients rather than the intricacy of the preparation. Over the centuries, the most popular dishes and recipes have been created by ordinary people rather than chefs, which is why many Italian recipes are suitable for home and everyday cooking, respecting regional specificities, prioritising only raw materials and ingredients from the dish's origin region, and preserving its seasonality. Fruits, vegetables, grains, cheeses, meats, and seafood are all commonly used ingredients in Italian cuisine. The most popular ingredients in the north of Italy are fish (such as cod or baccalà), potatoes, rice, corn (maize), sausages, pork, and various varieties of cheese. Tomato-based pasta recipes are popular in Italy. Italians use Fresh, lightly seasoned and spiced ingredients. Though there are many different types of packed pasta in Northern Italy, polenta and risotto are just as popular, if not more so.
Here are some Italian dishes you can try for a perfect dinner
Mushroom Risotto
Risotto is a classic northern Italian dish that can be prepared in countless ways. It's creamy and full of cheese, and it's made with northern rice varieties including Arborio, Carnaroli, and Vialone, which are cooked slowly in broth. Mushroom risotto has more health benefits than you might think. A good source of protein, as well as a powerful antioxidant and cancer-fighting capabilities.
Pasta Carbonara
This dish derives its name from Carbone meaning coal. It was a popular pasta among coal miners. Carbonara is a pasta dish made with eggs, hard cheese, smoked pork, and black pepper that originated in Rome. In the middle of the twentieth century, the dish took on its current appearance and name. Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or a blend of the two is typically used.
Lasagne
Lasagne is a type of pasta formed of very wide, flat sheets that are possibly one of the earliest. Alternatively, either term can refer to an Italian dish consisting of stacked layers of lasagne alternating with fillings such as ragù (ground meats and tomato sauce), vegetables, cheeses (including ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan), and seasonings and spices such as garlic, oregano, and basil. Grated cheese, which melts after baking, can be sprinkled on top of the dish. Cooked pasta is usually mixed with the other ingredients before being baked. The baked pasta is then divided into single-serving square portions.
Ravioli
Ravioli are a type of pasta with a filling enclosed in a thin layer of pasta dough. They originated as a traditional Italian dish, usually served in broth or with a sauce. Ravioli are generally square, but various shapes, such as round and semi-circular, are occasionally used. It is a traditional Italian dumpling stuffed with ricotta, meat, cheese, and veggies.
Margherita Pizza
Many consider Margherita Pizza to be the actual Italian flag. It only takes a few simple ingredients to make one of the most popular Italian recipes, and the results are outrageously delicious. Pizza Margherita, as it is known in Italy, is a plain pizza from Naples. Margherita pizza has a bubbly crust, crushed tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and a little salt when done properly.