17 Lazy Italian Meals Ready Before Your Wine Is Chilled

Chopped Italian Sliders

A slider roll filled with chopped meat, cheese, and a mayonnaise, oil, and vinegar salad. — Chopped Italian Sliders. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Imagine all the flavors of a classic chopped sub from you favorite local deli in the palm of your hand. My chopped Italian sliders feature an addictive salad topping, meats, melty cheese, and buttery rolls.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Italian Sliders

Italian Short Ribs with Gnocchi

Italian short ribs served over gnocchi. — Italian Short Ribs with Gnocchi. Photo credit: Always From Scratch.

Italian short rib ragu is a mouthwatering Sunday dish, slow-braised for three hours in a Dutch oven and served over soft, pillowy gnocchi. The rich, tender short ribs are ideal for long cooking, making them perfect for a hearty family meal. Pair it with a glass of red wine for an extra special touch!
Get the Recipe: Italian Short Ribs with Gnocchi

Oven Fried and Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Baked eggplant Parmesan with a piece missing. — Oven Fried and Baked Eggplant Parmesan. Photo credit: Amy Casey Cooks.

This baked and oven-fried Eggplant Parmesan is the perfect Italian comfort food. Tender eggplant slices are coated in a flavorful mix of seasoned panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, then crisped to perfection in the oven—no messy frying required. The result? Golden brown, crispy eggplant layered with rich basil marinara, gooey mozzarella, and savory Parmesan. This hearty, cheesy dish is sure to become a family favorite for any occasion!
Get the Recipe: Oven Fried and Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Italian Beef Braciole Roast with Spinach & Cheese Filling

Italian beef braciolone recipe featured image. — Italian Beef Braciole Roast with Spinach & Cheese Filling. Photo credit: An Edible Mosaic.

Braciolone is a classic Italian stuffed steak dish, rolled into a roast and slow-cooked in tomato sauce until tender and flavorful. This version offers a lower-carb twist, using a cheesy, garlicky spinach filling instead of traditional breadcrumbs. The result is juicy, spiral-filled beef roll-ups that showcase a beautiful cross-section when sliced. Perfect for a comforting, hearty meal!
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef Braciole Roast with Spinach & Cheese Filling

Italian Pizza Dip

For pizza lovers, this cheesy supreme pizza dip is a must-try. It's not your average pizza dip—it's loaded with a variety of favorite toppings, from green peppers to banana peppers. And of course, no pizza dip would be complete without meats, so alongside pepperoni, sausage is added for extra flavor. Once baked to perfection, this dip becomes incredibly irresistible, making it a crowd favorite at any gathering. Serve it with crispy bread or chips for the ultimate pizza-inspired snack experience.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pizza Dip

Spaghetti Amatriciana

Pasta Amatriciana is a classic Italian dish from Amatrice, a small town in Lazio. This rich and flavorful sauce, made with guanciale, tomatoes, black pepper, and pecorino cheese, originated as a variation of the traditional gricia sauce. Over time, as people from Amatrice traveled to Rome to sell their goods, the dish became one of the city's most iconic pasta recipes.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Amatriciana

Chicken and Mushroom Risotto

This Chicken and Mushroom Risotto is a comforting Italian classic, combining tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, creamy Arborio rice, and savory Parmesan cheese for a rich and flavorful dish that's both satisfying and versatile.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Mushroom Risotto

Stuffed Italian Chicken Rolls

Two chicken rolls with tomatoes and arugula salad on a white plate and a bowl of olives next to it. — Stuffed Italian Chicken Rolls. Photo credit: Enza's Quail Hollow Kitchen.

Stuffed Italian Chicken Rolls are tender, savory chicken roll-ups filled with Rosmarino ham, cheese, and tomatoes. Pan-seared for a flavorful crust and finished in the oven for juicy perfection, this classic dish is both delicious and easy. Serve with your favorite sides for a satisfying meal ready in under 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Italian Chicken Rolls

Tomato Bruschetta

This Simple Tomato Bruschetta is a classic Italian recipe that's perfect for a quick and delicious appetizer when you're short on time! Just mix together fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, and balsamic vinegar for a flavorful topping. Serve it on a toasted baguette, use it as a dip, or add it to grilled chicken for an easy Italian-inspired meal. It's a versatile dish that adds a burst of freshness to any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Bruschetta

Italian Stromboli Crescent Rolls

This authentic Italian Stromboli recipe fills crescent rolls with loads of Italian meats and cheeses rolled up and baked golden brown. Serve them with a side of marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for an easy weeknight dinner or as a tasty appetizer at your next party.
Get the Recipe: Italian Stromboli Crescent Rolls

Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast

Italian pot roast and carrots in a slow cooker. — Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast. Photo credit: From Valerie's Kitchen.

This Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast is a comforting, rustic dish featuring a lean top round roast and tender carrots simmered in a rich, tomato-based sauce. Cooked low and slow, the roast develops deep flavors while creating a luscious, ready-to-serve sauce—no thickening or skimming required. Perfect for a cozy, cold-day meal!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast

Salmon Al Cartoccio (Oven Steamed Salmon)

Salmon al cartoccio in a crinkled parchment cradle on a bed of spinach and orange slices. — Salmon Al Cartoccio (Oven Steamed Salmon). Photo credit: Garlic All Day.

Salmon Al Cartoccio, or "Salmon in a Bag," is a classic Italian way to cook salmon. You just wrap the salmon fillet in parchment paper, drizzle with olive oil, and bake. In under 15 minutes, the salmon steams to perfection, resulting in a wonderfully moist and flaky dish. It's a simple, yet impressive way to prepare this delicious fish.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Al Cartoccio (Oven Steamed Salmon)

Homemade Polpette Recipe

These Italian meatballs stay tender without falling apart, thanks to one grandmother-approved technique. Skip the breadcrumbs - there's a better way to keep them moist.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Polpette Recipe

Chicken Sorrentino

Chicken sorrentino is a classic Italian recipe and for good reason — it has a bit of everything you love all in one dish. Breaded chicken is topped with prosciutto, eggplant and plenty of cheese and baked in a hearty tomato sauce for an irresistible dish you can easily make at home.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sorrentino

Minestrone Soup with Sausage

The smell of freshly cooked Italian minestrone soup is enough to make anyone's mouth water. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make this hearty and delicious soup in no time at all.
Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup with Sausage

Italian Baguettes (Stirato)

Slices of Italian baguette (stirato) with olive oil and balsamic vinegar to the side. — Italian Baguettes (Stirato). Photo credit: Little Nonni.

Italian baguettes, or "stirato," feature a crisp crust and a delightfully chewy texture. This easy-to-bake bread is stretched before baking for a rustic appearance and is perfect for sandwiches, bruschetta, crostini, and more.
Get the Recipe: Italian Baguettes (Stirato)

One Pot Italian Sausage Pasta

Cheesy sausage pasta in a flavorful sauce that comes together in under thirty minutes using only one pot! This is perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Italian Sausage Pasta