Eating Around the World: 5 Tasty Italian Recipes for Picky Eaters

Ciao, è ora di mangiare! If you can’t tell, we’re currently tossing a pizza and bathing in a vat of fresh spaghetti. Okay, not really, but what comes to mind when you think “Italy” if not cheese, pizza, pasta, and gelato? We love Italy not only for its tasty food, but also because that food is good for you! Made with simple ingredients, following the mediterranean diet, and not packed with preservatives and corn derivatives, Italian recipes are a warm soup on a cold day! We’ve gone ahead and compiled 5 fantastic recipes that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters!

Overview of Key Ingredients of Italian Cuisine: 

When replicating the Italian diet, it’s good to be aware of the various vital ingredients used in almost every dish. Before deep-diving into the best of the best recipes, take a moment to look at what exactly makes Italian food Italian. 

• Olive Oil: Extra-virgin olive oil is a fundamental ingredient in Italian cooking, used for sautéing, drizzling, and making dressings.
• Tomatoes: Tomatoes are essential in Italian cuisine and are used in various forms, from fresh tomatoes in salads to tomato sauces in pasta dishes.
• Pasta: Italy is famous for its wide variety of pasta shapes and types, from spaghetti and fettuccine to penne and farfalle.
• Cheese: Parmesan, mozzarella, ricotta, and pecorino romano are commonly used cheeses in Italian dishes, providing creamy, savory, and salty flavors.
• Basil: Fresh basil leaves are a key ingredient in Italian dishes, especially in making pesto sauce and garnishing pizzas and pasta.
• Garlic: Garlic adds depth and flavor to many Italian recipes, from sauces to roasted dishes.
• Balsamic Vinegar: This sweet and tangy vinegar is often used in dressings and drizzled over dishes like caprese salad.
• Herbs: Italian cuisine relies on a variety of herbs like oregano, thyme, rosemary, and parsley to enhance flavors.
• Mushrooms: Porcini and truffle mushrooms are prized in Italian cooking, adding earthy and umami notes to dishes.
• Prosciutto: This thinly sliced, dry-cured ham is used as a flavorful addition to pizzas, salads, and antipasti.
• Seafood: Italy's coastline provides an abundance of fresh seafood, including shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari, often featured in coastal dishes.
• Wine: Italy is known for its wine production, and Italian wines like Chianti, Barolo, and Pinot Grigio are frequently enjoyed alongside meals.
• Rice: Arborio and Carnaroli rice varieties are used in Italian dishes such as risotto.
• Eggplant: Eggplant is a versatile vegetable used in dishes like Eggplant Parmesan and Caponata.
• Anchovies: These small, salty fish are used sparingly to add depth of flavor to sauces and dressings.
• Pine Nuts: Pine nuts are used in various Italian dishes, including pesto and desserts.

Lemon Olive Oil Cake: Perfect for breakfast, and naturally dairy-free, this cake is light, fluffy, and oh so soft! Find the full recipe here. 

• Needed Ingredients:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs room temperature
• ¾ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¾ cup milk- I used unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• Zest from 3 lemons- should be about 2 Tablespoons
• Confectioner’s sugar- optional for sifting on top

Creamy Tomato Pasta: If your kid is a picky eater, we suggest this easy-to-make and delicious-to-eat creamy pasta that only requires a couple ingredients. Find the full recipe here. 

• Needed Ingredients:
• 8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked (½ pound)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped

Italian Meatballs: A classic to any italian dinner table, these meatballs are tender, and melt in your mouth. Pair with some pasta or rice, and enjoy on a cool night. Find the full recipe here. 

• Needed Ingredients for the Meatballs:
• 1.5 lb ground beef
• ¾ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon garlic, finely chopped
• ½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Needed Ingredients for the Tomato Sauce:
  • ½ cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 oz.) can crushed tomatoes (2 cups)
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 3-4 bay leaves
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
  
  

   

Easy Chicken Parmigiana: A go-to for any child’s menu in Italy (if such a thing existed) this tasty, universally loved dish is the ultimate comfort food. Find the full recipe here. 

• Needed Ingredients for the chicken:
• 2-3 chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthwise
• 2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil (for pan-frying)
• Needed Ingredients for the sauce:
• 1 cup onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Needed Ingredients for the topping:
• 5 slices of mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped

Tiramisu: Coffee lovers unit! Tiramisu is the Italian dessert– it’s creamy, caffeinated, and perfect for sharing. Find the full recipe here. 

• Needed Ingredients:
• Vegetable oil (for pan)
• 1½ cups very strong coffee, cooled
• 1 Tbsp. dark rum
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 1 Tbsp. plus ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 cup chilled heavy cream
• ½ cup mascarpone
• 3 large egg yolks
• 24 ladyfingers
• Cocoa powder (for dusting)