thumb|The ingredients of traditional [[pizza Margherita—tomatoes (red), mozzarella (white) and basil (green)—are held by popular legend to be inspired by the colours of the national flag of Italy.]]

thumb|

thumb|[[Tiramisu is an Italian dessert.]]

Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots as far back as the 4th century BC. Italian cuisine has its origins in Etruscan, ancient Greek and ancient Roman cuisines. Significant changes occurred with the discovery of the New World and the introduction of potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers and maize, now central to the cuisine, but not introduced in quantity until the 18th century.

Italian cuisine includes deeply rooted traditions common to the whole country, as well as all the regional gastronomies, different from each other, especially between the north, the centre, and the south of Italy, which are in continuous exchange. Many dishes that were once regional have proliferated with variations throughout the country. Italian cuisine offers an abundance of taste, and is one of the most popular and copied around the world. The most popular dishes and recipes, over the centuries, have often been created by ordinary people more so than by chefs, which is why many Italian recipes are suitable for home and daily cooking, respecting regional specificities.

As of 2026, Italy contains 394 Michelin star-rated restaurants. The Mediterranean diet forms the basis of Italian cuisine, rich in pasta, fish, fruits and vegetables. Cheese, cold cuts and wine are central to Italian cuisine, and along with pizza and coffee (especially espresso) form part of Italian gastronomic culture. Desserts have a long tradition of merging local flavours such as citrus fruits, pistachio and almonds with sweet cheeses such as mascarpone and ricotta or exotic tastes such as cocoa, vanilla and cinnamon. Gelato, tiramisu, and cassata are among the most famous examples of Italian desserts, cakes and patisserie. Italian cuisine relies heavily on traditional products; the country has a large number of traditional specialities protected under EU law. Italy is the world's largest producer of wine, as well as the country with the widest variety of indigenous grapevine varieties in the world.

Foods and drinks

Soups, sauces and condiments

thumb|[[Minestrone]]

thumb|

thumb|

  • , , ,
  • , ,
  • (also called and )
  • , , ,
  • Minestrone, (or )
  • (sometimes also called ),
  • (or )
  • , , , (or ), ,
  • Ragù, , (), , , , , , , ()
  • ,
  • (soup)
  • (), ,
  • , , , , , , , , , , , (or ), , , (or )

Creams

  • (or )

Bread

thumb|[[Bruschetta]]

thumb|[[Crostini]]

thumb|[[Focaccia]]

thumb|[[Panino]]

thumb|

  • Bruschetta
  • Ciabatta
  • Crostini
  • (or )
  • Focaccia, , , , , , , , ( or in Venetian language)
  • Grissino
  • Muffuletta
  • , , (or ), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , (or outside Tuscany)
  • Panino – in English dominant countries, is widely used as the singular form, with the plural form or , although some speakers use singular and plural as in Italian,
  • (or simply , traditionally ),
  • Pita
  • (), ()
  • , , , ,
  • (or )
  • (smaller : )

Common pizzas

thumb|A [[pizza Margherita]]

A great number of pizza varieties exist, defined by the choice of toppings and sometimes also crust. There are also several styles of pizza, defined by their preparation method. The following lists feature only the notable ones.

  • Calzone
  • Panzerotto
  • (Italian for pizza by the slice)
  • (or )
  • Pizza capricciosa
  • ()
  • Pizza Margherita
  • Pizza marinara
  • Pizza quattro formaggi ()
  • Pizza quattro stagioni ()

Pizza preparation styles

  • ()
  • ()
  • ()

Pasta varieties

thumb|A collection of different [[pasta varieties]]

thumb|[[Cappelletti (pasta)|Cappelletti]]

thumb|[[Farfalle]]

thumb|[[Ravioli]]

thumb|[[Rigatoni]]

thumb|[[Tagliatelle]]

thumb|[[Trofie]]

  • ,
  • Anelli
  • Bucatini
  • Cannelloni
  • Capellini
  • Cappelletti
  • (more properly called )
  • Conchiglie, ,
  • (or )
  • ,
  • (or )
  • , ,
  • Eliche
  • Farfalle,
  • (or )
  • (or )
  • Fettuccine
  • (or )
  • Fusilli, , ,
  • Gnocchi
  • Lasagna
  • Linguine
  • ,
  • ,
  • (or )
  • Orecchiette
  • Orzo
  • Pappardelle
  • ,
  • Penne,
  • ,
  • , ,
  • Ravioli
  • Rigatoni
  • (or )
  • ,
  • Spaghetti, (or ), ,
  • (or )
  • (or )
  • Tagliatelle
  • (or tagliarini)
  • Tortelli
  • Tortellini
  • Tortelloni
  • Trofie
  • Vermicelli
  • Ziti, , (or )

Pasta dishes

thumb|

thumb|, dressed in butter and sage

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

  • (or )
  • , , ,
  • ()
  • , ,
  • Carbonara (see also: )
  • ,
  • , , , ,
  • (or )
  • (or )
  • Fettuccine Alfredo, , , ,
  • Gnocchi, , , , , , , (or ), , , (or ), , , ,
  • ()
  • , also known as ()
  • Lasagna, , ,
  • , (or ), , , ,
  • ,
  • , ,
  • ,
  • ,
  • , ,
  • ,
  • , , (or ), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , (or ), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , (or ), , , , , , , , , , ,
  • , , , , ,
  • ,
  • Ravioli, , , , , , ,
  • , , ,
  • , , (or )
  • , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
  • , , , , , , , ,
  • , ,
  • Tortelli, , , , , , , ,
  • Tortellini, , , , , , ,
  • , ,
  • ,
  • ,

Rice dishes

thumb|[[Arancini]]

thumb|

Rice dishes are very common in northern Italy, especially in the Lombardy and Veneto regions, although rice dishes are found throughout the country.

  • Arancini
  • (in the Vercelli area), or (in the Novara area)
  • – rice and peas
  • (or ), , risotto, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , (also called and ), , , , , (or ), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , (),
  • ,
  • ,

Fish dishes

thumb|A variation of , a fish dish featuring [[black olives, scallions and mushrooms]]

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

  • , , , ,
  • , , , , ,
  • ,
  • ,
  • Carpaccio
  • , , , ,
  • (or )
  • ,
  • (or )
  • ,
  • ()
  • ,
  • , , ,
  • , , , , ,
  • ,
  • ,
  • , , , ,
  • ,
  • , ()
  • ,
  • ,

Meat dishes and

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|[[Braciola served with grilled aubergines]]

thumb| served with [[polenta]]

thumb|, polenta and lentils

thumb| with potatoes

thumb|[[Ossobuco served with ]]

thumb|[[Pizzaiola]]

thumb|[[Porchetta]]

thumb|Rabbit [[cacciatora]]

thumb|

thumb|

  • , , ,
  • , , , ,
  • (Umbrian guanciale)
  • ()
  • Braciola,
  • ,
  • Bresaola,
  • Cacciatora – refers to a meal prepared "hunter-style" with onions, herbs, usually tomatoes, often bell peppers and sometimes wine.
  • (or )
  • ,
  • ,
  • ,
  • , , , (or ), ,
  • , , , ,
  • , (also called or )
  • (or )
  • , ,
  • Guanciale
  • ,
  • , ,
  • ,
  • ,
  • Mortadella, , , , , , , , (or ), , ,
  • 'Nduja
  • ()
  • , ,
  • Pancetta, ,
  • Piccata
  • Pizzaiola (also known as )
  • , ,
  • (or )
  • Porchetta, ,
  • , (), (), , , , , , , , , , , , (or )
  • , (or Gröstl)
  • , , , (), , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
  • (), , (), ,
  • , ,
  • , , , , , , (or ), , (or , , )
  • , , , , ,
  • Speck Alto Adige,
  • ,
  • , of various varieties
  • (
  • , (or ), , ,
  • ,

Vegetable dishes

thumb|[[Caponata]]

thumb|

thumb|

  • Caponata,
  • ,
  • ()
  • (or )
  • ,
  • (), (), , , , ()
  • , , , , ,
  • , , ()
  • ,
  • ,
  • Rollatini

Nut dishes

  • Chestnut pie – has been documented back to the 15th century in Italy, in the book (English: On honest indulgence and good health) written by the Italian writer and gastronomist Bartolomeo Platina.

Wines

thumb|Tuscan [[Chianti in a traditional ]]

thumb|[[Sangiovese grapes]]

thumb|[[Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato|Vineyards in Langhe and Montferrat, Piedmont, the official name of a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising "five distinct wine-growing areas with outstanding landscapes" plus the Castle of Grinzane Cavour in the Piedmont region, Italy.]]

thumb|[[Denominazione di origine controllata|DOCG and DOC labels on two Italian wine bottles]]

thumb|right|Poggio Amorelli, a typical winery of [[Chianti (region)|Chianti region]]

thumb|A bottle of [[Prosecco di Conegliano spumante extra dry and a glass of Prosecco frizzante, which stops forming bubbles soon after it is poured]]

thumb|A [[Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine made from the Montepulciano grape, in the Abruzzo region]]

  • Abruzzo
  • Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
  • Trebbiano d'Abruzzo
  • Apulia
  • Malvasia
  • Negroamaro
  • Basilicata
  • Aglianico del Vulture
  • Grottino di Roccanova
  • Matera
  • Terre dell'Alta Val d'Agri
  • Calabria
  • Cirò
  • Campania
  • Aglianico del Taburno
  • Campi Flegrei Piedirosso
  • Falanghina
  • Falerno del Massico
  • Fiano di Avellino
  • Greco di Tufo
  • Lacryma Christi
  • Solopaca
  • Taurasi
  • Emilia-Romagna
  • Albana
  • Bonarda
  • Gutturnio
  • Lambrusco
  • Pignoletto
  • Sangiovese
  • Trebbiano
  • Friuli-Venezia Giulia
  • Friulano
  • Pignolo
  • Ramandolo
  • Refosco dal peduncolo rosso
  • Ribolla Gialla
  • Schiopettino
  • Tazzelenghe
  • Verduzzo friulano
  • Lazio
  • Marino
  • Liguria
  • Cinque Terre
  • Lombardy
  • Oltrepò Pavese
  • Barbera
  • Bonarda
  • Conero
  • Franciacorta
  • Sassella
  • Grumello
  • Inferno
  • Marche
  • Colli Maceratesi
  • Falerio dei Colli Ascolani
  • Rosso Piceno Superiore
  • Spumante Brut
  • Valcalepio
  • Piedmont
  • Acqui
  • Alba
  • Asti
  • Barolo
  • Carema Riserva
  • Colli Tortonesi
  • Gattinara
  • Gavi
  • Grignolino
  • Langhe
  • Monferrato
  • Nebbiolo
  • Nizza
  • Ovada
  • Sardinia
  • Cagliari
  • Cannonau
  • Monti
  • Nuragus
  • Ogliastra
  • Sicily
  • Cerasuolo di Vittoria
  • Donna Fugata
  • Etna DOC
  • Noto
  • Passito di Pantelleria
  • Marsala
  • Nero d'Avola
  • Trentino
  • Marzemino
  • Tuscany
  • Bolgheri
  • Brunello di Montalcino
  • Carmignano
  • Chianti
  • Colli Apuani
  • Colli Etruria Centrale
  • Colline Lucchesi
  • Elba
  • Montalcino
  • Montescudaio
  • Moscadello di Montalcino
  • Nipozzano
  • Parrina
  • Pitigliano
  • San Gimignano
  • Scansano
  • Val di Chiana
  • Val di Cornia
  • Valdinievole
  • Valle di Arbia
  • Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
  • Vin Santo Toscano (or Vin Santo)
  • Umbria
  • Grechetto
  • Orvieto
  • Rosso di Montefalco
  • Sagrantino
  • Torgiano
  • Veneto
  • Amarone
  • Bardolino
  • Colli Euganei
  • Conegliano Veneto
  • Custoza
  • Fragolino
  • Prosecco
  • Soave
  • Valdobbiadene
  • Valpolicella

Liqueurs

thumb|Bottles of [[limoncello]]

  • Amaretto
  • Amaro Averna
  • Amaro Lucano
  • Amaro Montenegro
  • Anisetta
  • Arancello
  • Centerbe
  • Disaronno Originale
  • Fernet
  • Gentian liqueur
  • Genziana liqueur (or )
  • Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
  • Limoncello
  • Liquore Strega
  • Nocello
  • Nocino
  • Rosolio
  • Sambuca
  • Vecchio Amaro del Capo
  • Vespetrò

Cheeses

Considering the large number of Italian cheeses, only the most famous ones are listed below.

thumb|[[Asiago cheese|Asiago]]

thumb|[[Gorgonzola]]

thumb|[[Mozzarella]]

thumb|[[Parmigiano Reggiano]]

thumb|[[Pecorino romano]]

thumb|[[Ricotta]]

thumb|[[Stracchino]]

thumb|[[Taleggio (cheese)|Taleggio]]

  • Acceglio
  • Alpkäse
  • Ambra di Talamello
  • Asiago
  • Bastardo del Grappa
  • Bel Paese
  • Bocconcini
  • Bra
  • Burrata
  • Caciocavallo
  • Cacio figurato
  • Cacioricotta
  • Caciotta
  • Calcagno
  • Canestrato
  • Caprino
  • Casciotta d'Urbino
  • Casizolu
  • Caso peruto
  • Castelmagno
  • Castelrosso
  • Casu martzu
  • Crescenza
  • Crucolo
  • Crutin
  • Dolcelatte
  • Fior di latte (or fiordilatte)
  • Fontina
  • Formai de Mut dell'Alta Valle Brembana
  • Galbanino
  • Gorgonzola
  • Grana Padano
  • Mascarpone
  • Montasio
  • Monte Re
  • Monte Veronese
  • Morlacco del Grappa
  • Mozzarella, mozzarella di bufala
  • Murazzano
  • Padraccio
  • Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan)
  • Pecorino
  • Pecorino di Carmasciano
  • Pecorino di Filiano
  • Pecorino romano
  • Pecorino sardo
  • Pecorino siciliano
  • Pecorino toscano
  • Piave
  • Provatura
  • Provola, provola silana
  • Provolone
  • Puzzone di Moena
  • Quartirolo lombardo
  • Ragusano
  • Raschera
  • Reblec
  • Ricotta
  • Ricotta di fuscella
  • Ricotta forte
  • Ricotta salata
  • Robiola
  • Rosa Camuna
  • Salva
  • Scamorza
  • Silter
  • Squacquerone
  • Stracchino
  • Stracciatella di bufala
  • Taleggio
  • Toma
  • Valtellina Casera

Cheese dishes

Desserts and pastries

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|[[Gelato]]

thumb|

thumb|

thumb|[[Panettone]]

thumb|[[Panna cotta]]

thumb|[[Semifreddo]]

thumb|

thumb|[[Tiramisu in Naples]]

thumb|[[Zeppole]]

thumb|[[Zuppa inglese]]

  • – fruit preserves made with vinegar, honey and grape juice
  • Affogato (or )
  • Amaretto,
  • (or )
  • ,
  • , , ,
  • (biciolan in Piedmontese language)
  • Biscotti (smaller biscotti: ), , , , , , , , (or ), , , (or ), (also known as or ; smaller : )
  • (or )
  • ,
  • ,
  • ,
  • (or )
  • (or )
  • (or )
  • ,
  • , ,
  • (or )
  • , , (or ),
  • , ,
  • (or )
  • , , , , ,
  • , , , , ,
  • (or )
  • ,
  • Gelato (spumone, , , etc.)
  • and
  • Granita
  • (or )
  • (or )
  • ,
  • , , ,
  • ,
  • ,
  • ,
  • (or )
  • Panettone
  • (or )
  • Panna cotta
  • ,
  • , ,
  • ,
  • ,
  • (or )
  • (or )
  • (or )
  • Semifreddo
  • ,
  • , ,
  • Strudel,
  • (or )
  • Tiramisu
  • , , , ,
  • , , , , , , , , , , , , (or ), , , , , , (or ), , , , , , , (or less commonly ), , , , , , ,
  • Zabaione
  • (or )
  • , (or )
  • ,
  • Zuppa inglese

Other foods and drinks

thumb|[[Frittata]]

thumb|

  • (or )
  • , (or and )
  • (or ), (or ),
  • ,
  • Frittata, , , , (or ), , , ,
  • (or )
  • (or )
  • <!-- Note: actually refers to the sauce, not the vegetables. -->
  • Polenta, , , , , , (or )
  • (or )
  • , , , ,
  • , , , ,
  • ,

Coffee

thumb|[[Espresso is a coffee brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans. The term comes from the Italian , which means 'to express', and refers to the process by which hot water is forced under pressure through ground coffee.]]

  • Affogato (or )
  • – made with a
  • Caffè latte
  • or – espresso over ice with addition of almond milk instead of sugar, typical in Salento
  • – made with a moka pot
  • – a sweet iced coffee drink
  • Cappuccino
  • Doppio (or )
  • Espresso (or )
  • (or )
  • Ristretto (or )
  • ""

Olive oil

  • Italian olive oil

Vinegar

Doughs

Fruits, vegetables and legumes

  • , , (or ), , ,
  • ,
  • , , ,

Ingredients

Most important ingredients (see also: Italian herbs and spices):

  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan)
  • Pecorino
  • Tomato

<gallery class="center" widths="200px" heights="165px">

File:Oli de l'Empordà.jpg|Extra virgin olive oil

File:Parmesan Series (4341277992).jpg|Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan)

File:Pecorino di Filiano.jpg|Pecorino

File:Italian Vine Tomatoes (3026014294).jpg|Italian vine tomatoes

</gallery>

Other common ingredients

thumb|[[Balsamic vinegar]]

thumb|[[Pasta being prepared in a pasta machine]]

thumb|[[Radicchio]]

  • Anchovies, preserved in olive oil, or in salt
  • Asparagus
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Baccala (dried, salted cod)
  • Bresaola (air-dried salted beef)
  • Broccoli
  • Butter
  • Capers, preserved in vinegar or, more frequently, salt
  • Artichokes
  • Cauliflower
  • Kale
  • Chickpeas
  • Cucumber
  • Chicory
  • Sauerkraut
  • Beans
  • ('emmer')
  • Strawberries
  • Porcini mushrooms, white mushrooms
  • Lard
  • Lentils
  • Lemon
  • Aubergines
  • Apples
  • Honey
  • Hazelnuts
  • Walnuts
  • Olives
  • Barley
  • Pasta
  • Potatoes
  • Swordfish
  • Bell peppers
  • Pears
  • Pesto
  • Pine nuts
  • Peas
  • Pistachios
  • Polenta
  • Prosciutto
  • Radicchio – leaf chicory, sometimes known as Italian chicory. resembles a large red Belgian endive.
  • Ricotta
  • Rice
  • Rocket (rucola or arugula)
  • Cuttlefish
  • Speck
  • Spinach
  • Truffle
  • Tripe
  • Tuna
  • Grapes
  • Pumpkin
  • Courgette

Herbs and spices

  • Anise
  • Basil
  • Bay leaves
  • Black pepper
  • Calamint
  • Chili pepper
  • Chives
  • Cinnamon
  • Capers
  • Clove
  • Dill
  • Garlic
  • Fennel
  • Horseradish
  • Juniper
  • Marjoram
  • Mint
  • Nutmeg
  • Onion
  • Oregano
  • Parsley
  • Rosemary
  • Saffron
  • Sage
  • Starflower
  • Thyme

See also

  • Italian cuisine
  • Italian meal structure
  • List of Italian restaurants
  • List of Italian chefs

Notes

References