profile

Cooking my Dreams | Easy Italian and Tuscan Recipes

🍝 Italian Basic Recipes Everyone Should Know

Published 23 days ago • 3 min read

Hey Reader!

Italian cuisine is known for its simple and few (good-quality) ingredients, but it's very easy to get it wrong. Too much cream or too many spices and your dish is suddenly far from Italian tradition.

Contrary to most fellow bloggers who share Italian recipes, I was actually born and raised in Italy, and that's why I pride myself on sharing authentic Italian recipes, not just adaptations.

So where to begin? Master these foundational Italian recipes to get to savor real Italian cuisine.

Foundational Italian Recipes

How to Make Fresh Pasta without a Pasta Machine

The ultimate guide to making egg pasta and semolina pasta from scratch and step-by-step videos on how to create 10 different fresh pasta shapes by hand without the use of a pasta machine. All you need is a couple of cheap tools and you can make all the pasta you want!

How to make Homemade Potato Gnocchi (complete step-by-step guide)

Homemade potato gnocchi are a classic Italian comfort food—soft, pillowy dumplings that pair perfectly with so many sauces. Making gnocchi from scratch may seem intimidating, but it’s surprisingly simple with the right tips, step-by-step instructions, and a bit of practice!

Ultimate Guide on how to cook the Perfect Risotto

When it comes to Italian comfort food, risotto is a classic dish that is both delicious and versatile. However, cooking the perfect risotto can be a challenge for even the most experienced home cooks. Here I share with you the ultimate guide on how to cook the perfect risotto at home.

Pasta al Pomodoro (Simple Italian Tomato Sauce)

A good Classic Marinara Sauce is the heart of Italian cooking. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this sauce is rich, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes. It’s the perfect base for pasta, pizza, or any Italian dish that calls for tomato sauce.

Homemade Margherita Pizza

Margherita Pizza is the most iconic Italian pizza. A perfect homemade pizza dough, topped with a simple and delicious San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil leaves. Make this recipe for your next pizza night with family and friends and customize it with your favorite toppings or savor it as is!

Classic Italian Focaccia Bread

A soft flavorful Italian classic Focaccia bread with plenty of good olive oil and salt to make every bite unforgettable. Eat it by itself as a snack, turn it into a sandwich or eat it as bread side for lunch or dinner. However you eat it, you're gonna love it!

Classic Tuscan Lasagna

This is the classic Lasagna recipe, the same lasagna you would find on the table of many Tuscan and nothern Italian families for Sunday lunch or Holiday feasts. Made with Tuscan Ragù sauce, homemade Béchamel sauce and lots of Parmigiano cheese. It's simple, classic and so delicious!

Pasta Frolla (Italian Shortcrust Pastry Dough)

There are many variations of Pasta Frolla. This one is rustic, crumbly, sweet, with a hint of lemon. It works great for Italian Crostata with jam, tarts, or custard pies.

Crema Pasticcera (Italian Custard)

Crema pasticcera (pastry cream) is a rich and creamy Italian custard, a popular filling for pastries and desserts in Italy. It has a smooth texture and sweet flavor with hints of lemon zest and vanilla.

Classic Panna Cotta

Panna Cotta is a timeless and classic Italian dessert. Its silky and creamy texture and mild vanilla taste pairs perfectly with all kinds of toppings. It's very easy to make, and it's the perfect dessert for any dinner event.

I hope you'll enjoy these recipes! Don't forget to leave a review if you make them. It would help me a lot! ❤️

What kind of recipes would you like to see more of on my site? Hit reply and let me know! :)

Even More Foundational Recipes and Guides:

Italian Recipes eBooks:

5 menus and 25+ recipes

FREE!

A Little About Me:

I’m Jess, the passionate cook and Italian food lover behind Cooking my Dreams. I was born and raised in Tuscany, Italy, and I got to learn all the traditional techniques passed down from generations. Now, I’m sharing what I learned with you!

Find me on Instagram!

​@jess.cookingmydreams.com​

And don't forget to tag me in your photos if you make one of my recipes!

Cooking my Dreams | Easy Italian and Tuscan Recipes

Jessica Montanelli

Hi, I'm Jess! Born and raised in Siena, Tuscany, I've been immersed in the rich traditions of Italian cuisine my entire life. Through my food blog, I hope to share a slice of Tuscan warmth and the genuine flavors that have been a part of my journey since childhood.

Read more from Cooking my Dreams | Easy Italian and Tuscan Recipes

Hey Reader! Fave e Pecorino is a classic Italian pairing, often eaten at picnics and barbecues, especially on Labor Day. The classic version is fresh raw fava beans and young Pecorino slices eaten with crusty Italian bread. This is the crostini version of that. With a fave bean pesto and slightly aged Pecorino. Spring Fava Beans & Pecorino Cheese Crostini These Spring Fava Beans & Pecorino Cheese Crostini are a simple yet elegant Italian appetizer that celebrates the fresh flavors of the...

2 days ago • 1 min read

Hey Reader! The days are finally getting longer and warmer and I honestly couldn't be happier. I love spring and summer and I especially love spring and summer food: cold salads, easy meals with all the flavorful produce, colorful and refreshing. Caprese Salad is a summer staple in every Italian family. It's the easiest dish you can make when it's too hot to cook or just as a delicious appetizer. This version has grilled eggplant for a smoky and flavorful twist, but you can also add more...

9 days ago • 1 min read

Hey Reader! Some days cooking feels like a heavy mental load. Time is running out, the kids keep you busy, and all you want is to whip up something quickly and easily to feed everyone as soon as possible. I know. It's the same for me. Especially as I'm 8 months pregnant and exhausted, plus taking care of an hyperactive toddler. So on those days, I heavily rely on 30-minute (or less) recipes. And these are some of mine (and readers') favorites! 30-Minute (or less) Recipes Pasta e Fagioli...

16 days ago • 3 min read