A Taste Tour of Italy in 7 Complete Menus

Sicilian Spaghetti
Photo by Buckwheat Queen.

Join us on a taste tour of Italy! These top-rated dinner menus were inspired by Italy's famous regional cuisines. From the Italian Alps down to the tip of the toe and across the Straits of Messina to Sicily, these complete Italian menus feature Risotto alla Milanese, Tuscany's famous Bistecca alla Fiorentina, the savory ragu of Bologna, and Swordfish a la Siciliana, and so much more. Make these Italian feasts at home!

01 of 07

A Taste of Tuscany

Peposa Dell'Impruneta (Tuscan Black Pepper Beef)
Photo by Chef John.

Birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Tuscany is home to several of Italy's most breathtaking cities: Florence, Sienna and Pisa. This menu pays tribute to the best foods of the region—from Minestrone Soup and Rigatoni Florentine to Tuscan Black Pepper Beef (or for super-sized appetites, try Tuscan Porterhouse) and Panzanella Salad! Bring your super-sized appetite for this one. Enjoy with a bottle of Sangiovese-based wine.

02 of 07

Best of the Abruzzi

Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini
Photo by Allrecipes. Allrecipes

This multi-course menu features the best of Abruzzi's robust cuisine. You'll feast on hearty tortellini soup, a spicy pasta dish, and marinated lamb chops. Wash it all down with a simple red wine from Montepulciano.

03 of 07

Feast of Venice

Grilled Shrimp Scampi
Photo by LynnInHK.

If you can't get to Venice any time soon, this menu will take you for a taste tour of the city—no passport required! Seafood is the star here. Serve these dishes with a crisp Soave from the Veneto region.

04 of 07

A Complete Sicilian Meal

Sicilian Spaghetti
Photo by Buckwheat Queen.

Sicilians know how to eat! This multi-course menu pays tribute to the best of traditional Sicilian food, using fresh ingredients from the land and sea. With an appetizer, pasta, seafood, and a delicious dessert, this is a dinner to be savored with friends and family. Prep the eggplant dish just up to the point of cooking, then wrap and chill until you're ready to pop it into the oven. The topping for the fish can also be made ahead of time. Enjoy with a bottle of Sicilian wine.

05 of 07

Taste of Northern Italy: Piedmont Style

Risotto alla Milanese
Photo by Buckwheat Queen.

This one hits on the best of Piedmont with rich, flavorful dishes (like Risotto alla Milanese and steak with Gorgonzola sauce) that are popular in this region around the foothills of the Alps. Serve this meal with regional wines like Barbera, Barbaresco, or Barolo.

06 of 07

Campanian Pizza Party

Brick-Oven Pizza (Brooklyn Style)
Brick-Oven Pizza (Brooklyn Style) | Photo by CDM68.

Campania is big-time Italian pizza country! The famous San Marzano plum tomatoes grow here and are featured in the region's wood-fired pizzas and calzones. We go all out here with pizza, calzones, and some appetizers! Enjoy with a bottle of Anglianico red wine. Buon gusto!

07 of 07

Taste Tour of Bolgna, Italy

North Italian Meat Sauce
Photo by.

Arguably the food capital of all of Italy, Bologna is also the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, which is also home to Parma and Modena, no slouches in the Italian food category. This menu draws on the best of the region, including rich Bolognese meat sauce and lamb braised in red wine.

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