Top 10 Italian Dishes: A Must-Try List for Food Lovers

Are you truly a foodie if you haven't explored the top 10 Italian dishes? Italy is known for its vibrant culinary scene and delish, authentic Italian flavours. You may already be familiar with popular Italian classics like pizza Margherita, focaccia, risotto, or lasagna. But are you interested in learning about more delicious options?

Ahead, we have compiled the best Italian food list for everyone. Read below to discover why you must try this famous Italian dish that you absolutely must try!

Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti alla carbonara is a traditional Italian dish made with fresh eggs, cheese, black pepper, and guanciale (cured pork meat). The creamy sauce, made from eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and a pinch of black pepper, gives it a rich flavour.

While other pasta, like fettuccine or rigatoni, can be used, spaghetti is one of the most famous Italian dishes because its thin strands allow the sauce to coat each bite perfectly.

If you love making your own pasta, try this must-try homemade spaghetti recipe to take your carbonara to the next level!

Penne Carbonara

Besides spaghetti, penne is another must-try Italian dish alternative to pair with carbonara, though less commonly used traditionally. While spaghetti alla carbonara wraps the sauce around its long, thin strands, penne carbonara offers a different experience. 

This tube-shaped pasta holds the creamy egg and cheese sauce inside its ridges, making each bite rich and flavorful. The texture of penne complements the chunks of guanciale. Trust us, you'll get a hearty bite with every forkful!

Spaghetti Norma

Pasta alla Norma is a classic Sicilian dish that means a true culinary masterpiece. It's made with a rich tomato sauce, fried eggplant, and fresh basil and topped with grated ricotta salata.

While penne is the most common pasta choice for this dish due to its ability to capture the chunky sauce, spaghetti is also a delicious alternative.

The texture of spaghetti blends nicely with the smooth tomato sauce, making each slurp memorable.

Spaghetti Napoli

Spaghetti Napoli features the beloved Neapolitan sauce, commonly used outside Italy to describe various basic tomato-based sauces from Italian cuisine.

This classic Naples sauce is made from fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil. To add texture, some people add meat, olives, mushrooms, or veggies like carrots and celery.

It is commonly enjoyed with penne or rigatoni, but spaghetti also pairs perfectly with it. Its long strands allow the light tomato sauce to cling to every bite.

Whether referred to as Napoletana or Napolitana, this dish is a beautiful representation of authentic Italian flavours.

Tagliatelle Carbonara

Traditionally, tagliatelle is often paired with Bolognese meat sauce. But do you know that besides spaghetti and penne, tagliatelle is another excellent pasta that pairs perfectly with carbonara?

Its flat, ribbon-like shape sets this pasta of Northern Italian origin apart from the previous options. The wide surface of tagliatelle allows the rich carbonara sauce and meat to cling to it more fully.

For an authentic touch, try recooking our homemade tagliatelle recipe at home.

Spaghetti Garlic Prawns

Traditional Italian dishes feature many seafood variations, including prawns. This spaghetti garlic prawns is a flavourful Italian dish featuring tender prawns sautéed with garlic in olive oil, then tossed with spaghetti for a simple yet delicious meal.

Then, a splash of lemon is typically poured onto the dish to add brightness, and fresh parsley enhances the overall taste, creating a delicacy that delights the palate.

If you like a kick, there's a spicy version with chilli flakes to spice it up. This dish perfectly balances the richness of prawns with the zesty, garlicky flavours, making it a favourite for seafood lovers!

Penne Norma

Penne Norma is the most popular pasta combination with Norma sauce, a traditional Sicilian dish. This menu features perfectly cooked penne tossed in a tomato sauce, crispy fried eggplant, and a sprinkle of ricotta salata.

Typically served as a primo (first course), this popular dish offers a delicious blend of rich and tangy flavours. The penne's shape captures the sauce and ingredients, making every bite a taste of Sicily's culinary heritage.

Tagliatelle Norma

Tagliatelle pairs beautifully with Norma sauce, providing a tasty twist on this Sicilian classic. The wide, flat pasta perfectly holds the tomato and eggplant sauce. This dish is made with a rich blend of olive oil, sautéed garlic, and fresh basil and is topped with tangy ricotta salata.

The combination of soft eggplant, zesty tomato sauce, and creamy cheese creates a delightful balance of flavours, making Tagliatelle Norma a must-try for foodies.

Potato Gnocchi Pulled Duck Ragu

A ragu is a classic Italian sauce made from slow-cooked meat, often combined with vegetables. While ragu is traditionally made with minced, chopped, or ground meats like beef or pork, duck is another delicious option, adding a unique depth to the dish.

When paired with potato gnocchi, the soft, fluffy gnocchi texture beautifully absorbs the pulled duck ragu, making each bite of this dish rich and satisfying.

To create a homemade version, make your own potato gnocchi for the perfect pairing!

Ricotta Gnocchi Mushroom Truffle

Truffle is a rare and luxurious fungus known for its deep, earthy flavour and rich aroma. It is often used to elevate dishes. Mushroom truffle combines the savoury taste of mushrooms with the indulgent essence of truffle, creating a flavorful and aromatic sauce.

Ricotta gnocchi pairs wonderfully with mushroom truffle, as its light and tender texture allows the rich sauce to shine. This dish features soft ricotta gnocchi enveloped in a creamy mushroom truffle sauce, making it an irresistible gourmet experience.

For the perfect base, try making homemade ricotta gnocchi yourself!

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The Italian culinary landscape truly holds so many interesting dishes to try at least once in your life. If you're truly a food connoisseur, take your time to look into these top 10 Italian dishes that you must try.

If you don't have the time to cook your own at home, try authentic Italian dishes at Piccolino Woodfired Pizza and Homemade Pasta in Fitzroy North. We serve various selections of must-try Italian desserts, homemade pasta, and a one-of-a-kind 'Spag Bowl'. Want to get a bite of these famous dishes? Book now!

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