No Fancy Ingredients In 25 Italian Dinner Recipes

ByMandy Applegate

This collection of 25 Italian dinner recipes proves that good food doesn’t need fancy extras. Each option keeps things straightforward, with no secret ingredients from another continent required. Perfect for anyone who wants dinner that feels hearty without stressing over shopping lists.

A plate of stuffed cannelloni topped with tomato sauce, grated cheese, and fresh basil.
Three Cheese Manicotti. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Homemade Lasagna

Close-up of a delicious slice of lasagna, showcasing layers of pasta, ground meat, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and garnished with chopped basil.
Homemade Lasagna. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Simple meals bring people together at any table. Everyone goes for seconds when Homemade Lasagna is in the oven. Layers make each bite a little different so there’s plenty to talk about. Comfort comes easy without searching for special products. Kids or adults enjoy digging into this classic with no fuss.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Lasagna

Pizza Sauce

Pizza sauce spread over a pizza crust.
Pizza Sauce. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Big dinner nights work fine with pantry basics. Spreading Pizza Sauce over dough lets homemade pizza happen fast. Families enjoy picking their own toppings when sauce is ready to go. No one misses out since everyone gets their favorite flavor. Simple prep means more time to enjoy the meal together.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Sauce

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

A plate of creamy spaghetti with shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves.
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Food without extras helps keep shopping lists short. Bowls of Marry Me Shrimp Pasta are filled quickly for busy dinner times. Easy dishes always seem popular around the table. Seconds often get scooped up before plates cool down. Quick cleanup gives hosts extra time for relaxing.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Pizza Salad

Homemade pizza salad in a serving bowl with wooden salad servers resting on top.
Pizza Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Tossed meals let crowds help themselves during busy nights. Pizza Salad keeps everything casual on family dinner days. Kids enjoy mixing up what goes inside every bowl. Simple ingredients mean everyone eats without worry. Sharing feels easy because no one needs to wait for fancy stuff.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Salad

Caprese Pesto Tarts

Fresh cherry tomatoes and herbs served in crispy puff pastry cups on a wooden surface.
Caprese Pesto Tarts. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Small bites work well for group meals with basic fridge finds. Plates filled with Caprese Pesto Tarts are gone fast since kids love finger food. Passing trays around gets everyone sharing at once. No extras are needed when snacks keep people happy. Quick serving supports relaxing nights at home.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Pesto Tarts

Tortellini Soup

A close-up of creamy tortellini with spinach and fresh basil leaves.
Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Filling bowls makes weeknights run smoother for busy families. Serving Tortellini Soup allows everyone to get seconds quickly. One-pot meals seem to bring less stress all around. No searching for fancy ingredients at the store. Family dinners get finished with little fuss each time.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup

Matcha Tiramisu

A close-up of a slice of tiramisu topped with green matcha powder, served on a ceramic plate.
Matcha Tiramisu. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Sweets at dinner feel special even with simple pantry items. Slices of Matcha Tiramisu disappear from plates quickly without much talk. Mixing classic and modern means guests stay curious. Dessert brings everyone to the table for a second round. Conversation is easier when the menu feels relaxed.
Get the Recipe: Matcha Tiramisu

Marry Me Chicken Soup

A creamy pasta dish with spinach, shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and shell pasta, garnished with herbs.
Marry Me Chicken Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Family meals run smoother with easy dinner options. Marry Me Chicken Soup warm up the house without extra planning. Quick serving is simple for kids and adults alike. No one fights about what’s in their bowl. Soup gets packed up fast for next-day lunches.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Soup

Garlic Bread

Slices of garlic bread topped with chopped parsley and sea salt sit enticingly on a wooden board, accompanied by a small bowl of salt and fresh cloves of garlic.
Garlic Bread. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Sharing bread adds comfort to basic dinners at home. Slices of Garlic Bread get passed around quickly during busy meal times. Simple flavors fill everyone up before the main dish hits the table. No need for extra topping with this favorite side. Everyone grabs more without bothering to ask.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Bread

Ravioli Casserole

Close-up of a baked dish with ravioli, mushrooms, asparagus, and melted cheese on top.
Ravioli Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

No-frills pantry meals work for large groups with little effort. Baking up Ravioli Casserole means less work and more eating together. Plates fill up fast so no one waits long at dinner. Kids appreciate the easy scooping and simple flavors. Less cleanup means everyone finishes faster.
Get the Recipe: Ravioli Casserole

Neapolitan Ice Cream

Two scoops of Neapolitan ice cream in a glass dish, featuring chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors, served with two rolled wafer cookies.
Neapolitan Ice Cream. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Dessert for dinner is fun with easy-to-find treats. Scooping Neapolitan Ice Cream keeps sharing simple among friends and family. No extras are needed since each bowl brings something familiar. Fast serving lets everyone enjoy their favorite color. Smiles come fast when dessert is straightforward.
Get the Recipe: Neapolitan Ice Cream

Marry Me Chicken Pasta

A plate of creamy penne pasta garnished with chopped parsley and grated cheese, featuring pieces of sun-dried tomatoes. A black fork is resting on the plate.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Family meals get easier with recipes using kitchen staples. Bowls filled with Marry Me Chicken Pasta feed crowds quickly without fuss. Guests want seconds before conversation even begins. Leftovers pack easily for future lunches. The meal feels organized and simple at every table.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Caesar Salad

A Caesar salad with romaine lettuce, croutons, grated cheese, and dressing.
Caesar Salad. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Tossed greens work for fast dinners without run-around shopping. Mixing up Caesar Salad allows hosts to keep things simple. Everyone appreciates quick servings during busy days. The meal feels balanced and no extras are needed. Plates usually clear quickly since this is easy to eat.
Get the Recipe: Caesar Salad

Spaghetti Marinara

Spaghetti marinara in a bowl with fresh basil on top..
Spaghetti Marinara. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Food that works for everyone keeps plans simple all week. Forks dig in without hesitation into bowls of Spaghetti Marinara. No special shopping trips are needed for this dish. Plates get cleaned fast since kids tend to finish without extra prompting. More time is spent visiting than cooking.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Marinara

Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap

Close-up of sliced chicken wraps with lettuce, cheese, and a creamy sauce, next to an open jar of mustard on a wooden surface.
Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Easy wraps help keep families organized on busy nights. Passing out Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap means quick bites for dinner or lunch. Kids pick up each wrap without delay and dinner moves fast. No one struggles to find extra ingredients. Portable meals allow more action and less cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap

Pasta alla Norma

A pot filled with penne pasta in a tomato sauce, topped with grated cheese, basil leaves, and herbs.
Pasta alla Norma. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Weeknight dinners become smooth with simple recipes. Serving up Pasta alla Norma gives everyone a plate without extra work. Guests clean their plates without complaints. Group meals feel relaxed with this kind of classic. Less time shopping means more time together.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Norma

Mushroom Risotto

A bowl of risotto with mushrooms and parmesan cheese.
Mushroom Risotto. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Pantry meals mean less planning for family dinners. Scooping up Mushroom Risotto leaves no plate untouched during busy weeks. One-pot recipes help hosts relax with their guests. Seconds bring everyone back to the kitchen each time. Fast cooking is possible by skipping fancy extras.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Risotto

Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta

Close-up of a pasta dish with corn, bacon, and herbs, seasoned with a creamy yellow sauce.
Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Family schedules stay easier with simple dinner options. Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta fills bowls quickly during dinner time. Classic flavor keeps plates getting refilled for seconds. Guests comment on how fast dinner is ready for all. Meals use pantry basics for low-stress plans.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta

Garlic Knots

Close-up view of freshly baked garlic knots with parsley and seasoning, resting on a parchment-lined baking tray.
Garlic Knots. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Small basics make crowd meals a breeze for hosts. Pull-apart pieces of Garlic Knots are popular with both kids and adults. No need for additional flavors or complex items. Serving bread makes dinners more fun and organized. Cleanup runs quicker with single-tray meals.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Knots

Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

A close-up of meatballs in a creamy sauce with herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and a side of white rice, with a fork picking up one meatball.
Marry Me Chicken Meatballs. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Quick-to-make dinner lets families stand around the table together. Marry Me Chicken Meatballs keep everyone happy with no fuss. Kids grab a few extras every time these hit the table. Hosts find cleanup is simple thanks to one-pan meals. Meatballs fill up plates without fancy extras needed.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

Boursin Cheese Baked TikTok Pasta

A white dish filled with cooked fusilli pasta, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms in a creamy sauce, with a silver fork resting inside.
Boursin Cheese Baked TikTok Pasta. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

No drama happens at dinner when basics are used for planning. Sharing bowls of Boursin Cheese Baked TikTok Pasta keeps serving easy and fast. Leftovers are packed away for quick lunches next day. Plates get emptied rapidly without asking for special foods. Group meals run smoother when dinner is ready in one pan.
Get the Recipe: Boursin Cheese Baked TikTok Pasta

Fruit Pizza

A close-up of a vibrant fruit tart topped with slices of kiwi, strawberries, mango, grapes, and blueberries arranged in a decorative pattern.
Fruit Pizza. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Sweets help finish dinner with stress-free serving ideas. Fruit Pizza gives kids a reason to hang out after dinner. No fancy toppings mean dessert stays simple and fun. Friends and family love helping decorate together. Dessert gets shared around with no extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Pizza

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Close-up of a serving of cheesy baked spaghetti with meat sauce, topped with fresh parsley, being lifted from a dish.
Million Dollar Spaghetti. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Group meals at home get sorted with low-effort dishes. Big pans of Million Dollar Spaghetti feed hungry crowds without complaints. Seconds are easy to serve since it’s all in one pan. Weeknight dinners run quicker thanks to easy recipes like this. Plates clean up so fast that hosting feels easier.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti

Tiramisu Cheesecake

A close-up of a slice of layered tiramisu cake with cream, coffee-soaked sponge, and dusted cocoa powder on top, served on a white plate.
Tiramisu Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Combining two classic works well for simple dinner nights. Tiramisu Cheesecake is quick and makes dessert the focus. No one asks for changes since it’s a favorite. Kids cheer when sweets take the spotlight. Dessert plates empty faster than any main meal.
Get the Recipe: Tiramisu Cheesecake

Three Cheese Manicotti

A plate of stuffed cannelloni topped with tomato sauce, grated cheese, and fresh basil.
Three Cheese Manicotti. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Basic dishes keep dinner drama out of the kitchen. Baking pans of Three Cheese Manicotti help serve a crowd without food stress. Plates go empty when everyone finds something to love inside. Group meals wind down quickly with fewer leftovers. Dinner wraps up with simplicity every time.
Get the Recipe: Three Cheese Manicotti

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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