Overhead vertical photo of Eggplant and Italian Sausage Gratin in a stainless steel oval baking dish.

A Culinary Trip to the Land of Olives, Pasta and Sunshine!

By Chris Scheuer | Updated on May 27, 2024

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Ten of our favorite, make-ahead Italian recipes. These cozy and comforting meals are perfect for cold winter days!

What's your ultimate comfort food? We're all about Italian over here! There's something so cozy and delicious about classic Italian flavors and a big bowl of pasta.

Horizontal overhead closeup photo of Make-Ahead Chicken Sausage Ravioli Lasagna in a white skillet with gold trim on a blue and white patterned cloth.

These are some of our family's favorite recipes. They're just as perfect for cold winter days or for special occasion celebration meals. Make them ahead of time, making dinner time super easy. Whenever Italian is on the menu, everyone in our house cheers! Put one of these recipes on your meal plan, we think your family will feel the same way! 🙌🙌🙌

 

Vertical photo of Ridiculously Easy Focaccia Bread being sliced on a wood cutting board.

With less than 10-minutes of hands-on time and no-kneading, the name Ridiculously Easy Focaccia Bread says it all! Almost. It's also ridiculously delicious!

 

Overhead vertical photo of Italian Sausage Puttanesca on a white serving dish.

This Italian Sausage Puttanesca is a delicious entree for a dinner party, but it's also great for a weeknight meal. It can be made ahead, freezes well and is a big hit with young and old alike!

 

Overhead vertical photo of Make Ahead Chicken Sausage Ravioli Lasagna in a gold trimmed white skillet on a blue and white striped kitchen towel.

This make-ahead Italian Chicken Sausage Ravioli Lasagna is bursting with fabulous Italian flavor and tastes like you labored for hours! No one has to know the delicious little secret.

 

Overhead vertical photo of a pot of Slow Braised Italian Beef Stew on a wood table.

In addition to tender chunks of beef and carrots and a deeply flavored sauce, this Slow Braised Italian Beef Stew also features fire-roasted tomatoes, briny olives, pearl onions and lots of fresh rosemary for a delicious taste of Italy!

 

Overhead vertical photo of Eggplant Gratin in an oval stainless steel baking dish on a wood table.

This Eggplant and Italian Sausage Gratin is bursting with fabulous Italian flavor. A delicious, make-ahead, dinner party worthy meal!

 

Vertical closeup photo of Instant Pot Italian Vegetable Beef Soup in a white and turquoise bowl.

This Instant Pot (or oven) Italian Vegetable Beef Soup is bursting with vibrant Italian flavor, tender beef and an array of fresh veggies!

 

Overhead vertical photo of Make Ahead Homemade Manicotti in a oval stainless steel baking dish on a blue and white kitchen towel.

This make-ahead, Homemade Manicotti is beyond delicious with an Italian sausage marinara and tender melt-in-your-mouth pasta.

 

Overhead vertical photo of Italian Chicken Meatballs and Marinara in a white serving bowl.

These Italian Chicken Meatballs are made from boneless, skinless chicken breasts, not ground chicken. They're lean, light, tender, juicy and full of flavor!

 

Vertical photo of Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake on a white pedestal cake stand decorated with pansies with a slice cut and presented on a serving plate in the foreground.

A combination of cake and cheesecake, this delicious Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake is a one-bowl, no-mixer recipe you can throw together in minutes!

 

Vertical photo of Chocolate Budino decorated with whipped cream, a fresh mint sprig and Candied Maple Walnuts.

This impressive, but easy Chocolate Budino is a creamy Italian-inspired dessert that takes pudding to a whole new level. You'll fall in love with the first silky smooth bite!

Thought for the day:

What good is it for someone
to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
Mark 8:36

What we're listening to for inspiration:

My Worth Is Not In What I Own

If you enjoy any of these recipes, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It's so helpful to other readers to hear your results, adaptations and ideas for variations. Thanks!

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2 Comments

  1. I made the lemon ricotta cake. Stuck to the recipe, but cobbled together a cream cheese/yogurt icing. Everyone, from the grandbabies to the grandparents, loved it!