Pretend You’re on Vacation with these 21 Italian Recipes

Bring the Italian vacation to your kitchen and pretend you’re dining on a busy city piazza, by the Mediterranean Sea or in a Tuscan vineyard in Italy. Whether it’s pizza night or pasta time, these delicious Italian-inspired recipes are perfect for a cozy night in or a dinner party at home. Grab a bottle of wine and let your cooking whisk you away!

Two slices of pepperoni pizza with basil on top on a blue plate.
Homemade Pizza. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Pizza Pinwheels

A plate of pizza pinwheels garnished with herbs.
Pizza Pinwheels. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Impress everyone with these Pizza Pinwheels. A deceivingly easy recipe, these fun, bite-sized pizza rolls are perfect for parties or snacking.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pinwheels

Peach Bellini

Two peach bellinis sit on woven coasters alongside a bowl of fresh mint, a cork and its cage and a pitcher of peach juice.
Peach Bellini. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Peach Bellinis, made with prosecco and peach nectar, are perfect for brunch or to hand out before a dinner party. This sweet and fizzy beverage is perfect for any summer gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Peach Bellini

Penne Rosa with Parmesan Crusted Chicken

A black plate with pasta topped with grilled chicken, cheese, and herbs. A glass of wine, a napkin with black cutlery, a red rose, and another plate are in the background.
Penne Rosa with Parmesan Crusted Chicken. Photo credit: Feast + West.

This luscious Penne Rosa is perfect for date night or a weeknight dinner, featuring creamy rosa sauce made with jarred pasta sauce. This dish adds a flavorful centerpiece to any Italian dinner party menu.
Get the Recipe: Penne Rosa with Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Tiramisu Martini

a tiramisu martini with chocolate sauce and a ladyfinger garnish on a gold coaster.
Tiramisu Martini. Photo credit: Feast + West.

The indulgent Tiramisu Martini is a dessert cocktail with chocolate sauce and a ladyfinger garnish. It is perfect for an after-dinner treat after a filling Italian dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tiramisu Martini

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

A pink platter of air fryer mozzarella sticks.
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks in the air fryer are a healthier alternative to deep-frying, yet still make a crispy and delicious snack. They are perfect for an Italian dinner party or a cozy night in, plus the kids will love them.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

Prosecco Punch

Two glasses of orange juice with rosemary sprigs.
Prosecco Punch. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Celebrate your friends and family with a pitcher of sparkling Prosecco Punch, a bright and citrusy drink for any occasion, from holiday drinks to summer soirées.
Get the Recipe: Prosecco Punch

Lemon Drop Cookies

lemon cookies on a silver cooling rack.
Lemon Drop Cookies. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Fluffy lemon cookies with a zesty glaze are like lemonade in a cookie. They are a summery treat perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Drop Cookies

Italian Margarita

A lemon basil margarita garnished with salt and a lime.
Italian Margarita. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Made with limoncello, tequila and basil, this fun, citrusy Italian margarita is perfect for everything from pizza night to taco night. It is so delicious and refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Italian Margarita

Affogato

Two cups of espresso with ice cream on top.
Affogato. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Affogato is the dessert of a coffee lover’s dreams, combining sweet gelato with espresso. This classic Italian treat the ideal summertime treat.
Get the Recipe: Affogato

Aperol Spritz

An aperol spritz on grey coasters on a white background with oranges.
Aperol Spritz. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Sip on the bubbly summer classic Aperol Spritz, made with Aperol and prosecco. This crisp and stunning cocktail is perfect for any summer gathering.
Get the Recipe: Aperol Spritz

Tuscan White Bean Dip

A teal towel next to a black bowl of tuscan white bean dip.
Tuscan White Bean Dip. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Tuscan White Bean Dip features white beans, juicy tomatoes, onion, garlic, and fresh herbs. This is a memorable appetizer for any summer party.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan White Bean Dip

Negroni

A glass with a Classic Negroni and orange peels.
Negroni. Photo credit: Feast + West.

The classic Negroni cocktail, made with gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, is a bittersweet and sophisticated drink that will make you feel like you’re on the streets of Italy.
Get the Recipe: Negroni

Caprese Salad Skewers

Caprese skewers on a silver tray.
Caprese Salad Skewers. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Caprese Salad is a popular Italian side dish. When you mix it up and serve it on skewers with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and balsamic vinegar, you’ll find it’s a great way to serve this sometimes messy dish for a party. They work as either an appetizer or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Salad Skewers

Limoncello Spritz

Two champagne glasses with limoncello spritz and a lemon twist garnish.
Limoncello Spritz. Photo credit: Feast + West.

The Limoncello Spritz is a light and bright cocktail, perfect for any celebration. It combines prosecco and limoncello, creating a drink with a sparkling lemonade vibe.
Get the Recipe: Limoncello Spritz

Tiramisu Trifle

A glass trifle dish filled with layered tiramisu, featuring creamy and cocoa-dusted layers, sits on a white background with a stack of plates and a napkin with gold utensils beside it.
Tiramisu Trifle. Photo credit: Feast + West.

This Tiramisu Trifle is a sumptuous statement at any party, with layers of sweet marscarpone cream, ladyfinger cookies, coffee and liqueur. It is great for an Italian-themed summer party.
Get the Recipe: Tiramisu Trifle

White Negroni

Two glasses of White Negroni on a marble table.
White Negroni. Photo credit: Feast + West.

The White Negroni is a flavorful pre-dinner sipper with a bitter, herbal and slightly sweet taste. It is a unique twist on the classic that every Negroni lover should try.
Get the Recipe: White Negroni

Italian White Bean Hummus

A bowl of hummus with pita chips and olives.
Italian White Bean Hummus. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Creamy and fluffy, this Italian Hummus made with white beans, olive oil, and fresh herbs is a Mediterranean twist on a classic appetizer. Serve it with homemade foccacia for a perfect summer party starter.
Get the Recipe: Italian White Bean Hummus

Homemade Limoncello

A gold-rimmed coupe glass holds a yellow cocktail garnished with a lemon peel curl on a white surface.
Homemade Limoncello. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Sweet and tart, Homemade Limoncello is a delicious after-dinner sipper and makes the ultimate gift. It is ideal for any summertime celebration.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Limoncello

Italian Soda

Two soda drinks, one red and one yellow, sit side by side. Mint sprigs and a gold spoon sit on the white surface as well.
Italian Soda. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Homemade Italian soda, made with your favorite flavored syrups and carbonated water, is a quick and refreshing two-ingredient drink for any summer occasion.
Get the Recipe: Italian Soda

Pizza Dough Breadsticks

Close-up of seasoned breadsticks on a white plate, showing herbs and spices sprinkled on top.
Pizza Dough Breadsticks. Photo credit: Feast + West.

You can whip up a batch of homemade pizza dough and store it for later, allowing you to make pizza dough breadsticks anytime you want. These are perfect for a summertime Italian dinner party or a cozy pizza night in.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Dough Breadsticks

Negroni Sbagliato

A negroni sbagliato cocktail with a slice of orange next to it.
Negroni Sbagliato. Photo credit: Feast + West.

It might just be the drink of the summer (again). The Negroni Sbagliato, made with prosecco instead of gin, is a light yet complex cocktail. It is refreshing and incredibly easy to make, and a little lighter than the regular Negroni.
Get the Recipe: Negroni Sbagliato

About Susannah

Susannah Brinkley Henry is the founder of Feast + West, a cocktail blog featuring creative, budget-friendly drinks and hosting ideas. A graphic designer with bartending school training, she shares cocktails, mocktails, appetizers and desserts for easy, stylish entertaining. Her work has been featured by Southern Living, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and Mashable, and she was a finalist in the Saveur Blog Awards. Susannah is also a publisher on MSN and has appeared on local news segments sharing seasonal drinks. She lives in Charlotte, N.C., where she brings Southern charm and global inspiration to every pour. Read more.

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