italian family meals

This is Mary's classic lasagne recipe which has been perfected over the years. For the best results leave the lasagne to stand for six hours before cooking. 

Each serving provides 861 kcal, 50g protein, 56g carbohydrates (of which 17g sugars), 47g fat (of which 23g saturates), 5.5g fibre and 1.4g salt. 

Lasagne al forno

olive oil

beef mince

onions, roughly chopped

celery, diced (optional)

garlic cloves, crushed

flour

150 milliliters/¼ pint beef stock

tbsp redcurrant jelly (optional) or 1 tsp caster sugar

tomato purée

thyme

tomatoes

butter

750 milliliters/1¼ pints hot milk

Dijon mustard

Parmesan,

salt and black pepper

lasagne

75 grams/3 ounces mature cheddar, grated

The polenta is spread onto a large board with a mound of stew in the middle. People sit around the table, armed with forks, and tuck in – it’s a really sociable meal. 

Slow-cooked family stew with polenta

100 milliliters/3½fl oz olive oil

celery stalks, very finely diced

onion,

carrots, very finely diced

garlic cloves, finely chopped

meat

200 milliliters/7fl oz red wine

tbsp juniper berries

black peppercorns

sage leaves

tbsp rosemary needles

bay leaves

tsp nutmeg

tsp salt

quick-cook polenta

250 grams/9 ounces fontina cheese (or taleggio), freshly grated

grams/3½oz parmesan, freshly grated

unsalted butter

This is one of those quick, comforting, homemade suppers that should be taken to the sofa with a glass of red wine.

Each serving provides 546 kcal, 37.5g protein, 9g carbohydrates (of which 8g sugars), 40g fat (of which 15.5g saturates), 2g fibre and 0.8g salt.

Meatballs with tomato sauce

150 grams/5 ounces onion, finely chopped

garlic, crushed

tbsp freshly chopped herbs, rosemary

egg,

110 grams/4 ounces onion, sliced

garlic clove, crushed

150 grams/5¼oz mozzarella, grated

tsp caster sugar

This big pot of chicken stew is perfect for a mid-week family meal. 

Chicken cacciatore

onion, sliced

celery stalks, roughly chopped

carrots,

chicken

175 milliliters/6fl oz white wine

500 milliliters/17 fl oz chicken stock

rosemary

easy-cook polenta

Puttanesca is a fiery, easy sauce for pasta that can be made in less time than it takes to cook a pan of linguine.

Linguine alla puttanesca

linguine

tbsp extra virgin olive oil

tin chopped tomatoes

garlic

anchovies, anchovy fillets

chilli flakes

capers,

black olives, stones removed if you wish

basil leaves

sea salt

The UK's foremost Italian food writer shows you how to make an authentic pasta puttanesca

The perfect pasta puttanesca by Anna Del Conte

Make a courgette pasta sauce in this easy vegetarian recipe from Antonio Carluccio. The spinach balls are amazing.

Courgette pasta with spinach balls

spinach

eggs,

nutmeg

garlic clove, blended to a purée with ½ tsp water

breadcrumbs

garlic cloves, peeled, finely chopped

chilli, finely chopped

60 grams/2¼oz parmesan,

Rick Stein's authentic spaghetti carbonara is easy, delicious and wonderfully creamy. But this recipe doesn't actually contain cream so more healthy! 

Rick Stein's spaghetti alla carbonara

spaghetti

parsley

free-range eggs, beaten

grams/1¾oz pecorino sardo maturo (mature Sardinian pecorino), finely grated

A definite family favourite - cheesy pasta shells with a simple tomato sauce, baked until crisp, golden and gooey.

Baked pasta shells filled with cheese

conchiglioni rigati (large pasta shells)

quantity of Salsa di Pomodoro (see below)

tbsp parmesan cheese

mozzarella,

ricotta

mozzarella

basil,

Gennaro makes his gnocchi with boiled potatoes - much faster than baking them - and serves them in an easy rocket, basil and chilli sauce. 

Gnocchi with wild rocket

free-range eggs, yolks only

150 grams/5½oz plain flour

rice flour,

300 grams/10½oz wild rocket, roughly chopped

150 milliliters/5½fl oz extra-virgin olive oil

garlic clove, finely chopped

red chilli, finely chopped

basil leaves, roughly torn

A roast chicken always is celebratory. The vibrantly coloured and intensely flavoured vegetables that are cooked alongside here seem only to underline this, offering their own brightness and brio, sunny in taste as well as mood.

Italian roast chicken with peppers and olives

chicken (preferably organic)

lemon,

leeks,

red peppers

orange pepper

yellow pepper

100 grams/3½oz pitted dry-packed black olives

Sea salt flakes and

A roast chicken always is celebratory. 

The vibrantly coloured and intensely flavoured vegetables that are cooked alongside here seem only to underline this, offering their own brightness and brio, sunny in taste as well as mood.

Top 10 italian family meals recipes from across the web

The most viewed italian family meals recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

Top Tags

Lasagne al forno

Slow-cooked family stew with polent...

Meatballs with tomato sauce

Chicken cacciatore

Linguine alla puttanesca

Courgette pasta with spinach balls

Rick Stein's spaghetti alla carbona...

Baked pasta shells filled with chee...

Gnocchi with wild rocket

Italian roast chicken with peppers ...

Top 10 italian family meals recipes from across the web

The most viewed italian family meals recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Lasagne al forno

Slow-cooked family stew with polent...

Meatballs with tomato sauce

Chicken cacciatore

Linguine alla puttanesca

Courgette pasta with spinach balls

Rick Stein's spaghetti alla carbona...

Baked pasta shells filled with chee...

Gnocchi with wild rocket

Italian roast chicken with peppers ...

The most viewed italian family meals recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine