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14 of our favorite Italian recipes that are perfect for summer. These recipes come together quickly and are perfect for easy entertaining.
In our family, Italian food is always a hit. While Italian food can be cozy and comforting, these recipes feature bright, fresh flavors and are perfect for summer.
From fresh herb sauces to tomato salads, pasta, main course and of course desserts, we've got plenty of great ideas. Pick a few and invite your friends and family over for dinner. You can prep them ahead of time for easy entertaining and be ready for rave reviews. Enjoy!
Sicilian Salmoriglio • A Bright Sunny Sauce From Southern Italy!
Originating in sunny southern Italy, Sicilian Salmoriglio is a bright, vibrant lemon herb sauce that's fabulous on chicken, seafood, pork, steak, eggs, veggies... you name it!
Franca's Fabulous Italian Mint Pesto
This super simple 4-ingredient Italian Mint Pesto recipe is a delicious fresh condiment that can be served as an appetizer with cheese, used as a dipping sauce for bread, a great pasta saucedrizzled on chicken, salmon, shrimp, pork, and a zillion other things!
Any Time of Year Italian Bruschetta (an easy crowd-pleaser!)
This delicious Italian Bruschetta, made with sweet cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, fresh basil and a splash of balsamic vinegar is easy to make and is ALWAYS a crowd-pleaser!
Tuscan Kale Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing
Think you don't like kale salad? Think again! This delicious Tuscan Kale Salad with crisp, buttery bread crumbs, salty, savory Parmesan and a fabulous lemon basil dressing will have the most adamant kale hater requesting seconds!
Slow Roasted Tomato Ancient Grain Salad
Think you need to avoid Italian food if you're trying to eat healthier? Nope! This fabulous ancient grain salad is loaded with all the delicious flavors of Italy minus the refined carbs and high-calorie counts!
Roasted Tomato Fresh Mozzarella Pasta
One delicious bowl, brimming with the summer's finest fare, this Roasted Tomato Fresh Mozzarella Pasta is perfect for lunch or dinner and always brings rave reviews!
Italian Grilled Chicken Breasts • Moist, Tender and SO Delicious!
If you think chicken breasts are dry and bland, think again! This Italian Grilled Chicken Breasts recipe yields golden-brown, juicy-tender, crazy-delicious results with minimal effort. The optional Salmoriglio sauce is the crowning glory!
Easy Pan-Seared Chicken Bruschetta
If you're in the mood for something healthy, satiating and fabulous, this super easy Pan-Seared Chicken Bruschetta is calling your name! Serve it with some crusty bread to sop up the delicious juices and you'll be hearing rave reviews from family, friends and guests!
Make-Ahead Italian Zucchini Involtini
With cheese-stuffed ribbons of zucchini nestled in an easy Italian sausage-tomato sauce, this delicious Zucchini Involtini is a fabulous make-ahead meal that's perfect for family dinners and entertaining!
Eggplant Italian Sausage Gratin
This Eggplant and Italian Sausage Gratin is bursting with delicious, universally beloved Italian flavor. It's a dinner party worthy meal that can be made in advance and just popped in the oven at the last minute!
Ridiculously Easy Italian Lemon Amaretti Cookies (Gluten-Free!)
These easy (Ridiculously Easy) Italian Lemon Amaretti Cookies (aka Biscotti Amaretti Al Limone) have a thin, crisp outer shell, a chewy interior, and a burst of bright lemon flavor in every bite! A bonus is that they're gluten-free, making them a universal crowd-pleaser!
Ridiculously Easy Raspberry Jam Amaretti Cookies
These soft, pillowy Raspberry Jam Amaretti Cookies come together easily but look like they came from a fancy Italian bake shop! They're a sweet, delicious (gluten-free) taste of Itay!
Italian Lemon Curd Ricotta Crumb Cake (Torta Sbrisolona)
This Lemon Curd Ricotta Crumb Cake is a fabulous, four-layer Italian dessert. The crust and crumb topping are made from the same sweet, buttery dough, making it quick and easy; no special equipment is needed!
Italian Raspberry Jam Ricotta Crumb Cake (Torta Sbrisolona)
This delicious Italian Ricotta Crumb Cake features a layer of creamy ricotta topped by a ribbon of raspberry jam nestled between a crisp, buttery dough that forms both the bottom crust and pretty crumb topping.
Thought for the day:
But now, O Lord, You are our Father;
we are the clay, and You are our potter;
we are all the work of Your hands.
Isaiah 64:18
What we're listening to for inspiration:
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.
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LOVE your recipe for Salmoriglio. It is absolutely delicious, and you were right, ‘perfect on everything’. Thank you for sharing such a great and tasty recipe.
I just adore your recipe roundups and I have already pinned several I can't wait to try from this one Thank you for such a beautiful blog and recipes and also for adding scripture and praise songs to each post. You always inspire me. Thank you!
Thanks so much, Diana! I appreciate you kind words.