:strip_icc()/bhg-chicken-parmesan_4x6D8Q-gqwJ9sl2FJ7lpk7-826b2fc1d1614c05b85f9147404b22f1.jpg?ssl=1 "Our Most Popular Italian Recipes Are Cheesy, Saucy, and Always Delicious")
To put it simply, we’re fans of Italian food. Whether it’s a slice of thin-crust pizza, a bowl of saucy spaghetti, or a scoop of creamy gelato, we can’t get enough. And our readers feel the same way about these ten recipes. There’s no shortage of hearty carbs, gooey cheese, and zesty tomato goodness in this lineup of our most-saved Italian recipes. And here’s some even better news: many of these dishes are one-pan meals with a short ingredient list and minimal prep time. Read: weeknight approved.
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Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad
Carson Downing. Food Stylist: Annie Probst
If you’re hoping for a proposal, serve this loaded pasta salad of pillowy tortellini and tender chicken breast tossed in an umami-rich dressing to your S.O. The dressing is made with tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, and sour cream, so it coats every nook and cranny with tangy flavor. And why stop at one type of tomato when you can use both fresh and sun-dried for double the flavor?
Johnny Marzetti Casserole
Carson Downing
The Midwest meets Italy in this perennial favorite casserole that’s loaded with ground beef, Italian sausage, veggies, and two kinds of cheese. If you don’t have every ingredient, fret not, this forgiving recipe can be customized with whatever’s in the fridge.
Dump and Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Brie Goldman / Food Styling: Shannon Goforth
The words “dump and bake” are music to our ears, and this casserole is proof that chicken Parmesan can be weeknight-friendly. Choose your favorite short-cut pasta shape and jarred tomato sauce, stir in some diced chicken, and add a crispy, cheesy panko topping for a crowd-pleasing one-dish dinner.
Copycat Olive Garden Salad
Brie Goldman
While this salad may not be endless at home, it’s every bit as good (if not better) than the restaurant version. Crisp iceberg and romaine lettuce, colorful veggies, and crunchy croutons are bathed in a zesty homemade Italian dressing with just the right amount of richness from mayonnaise.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Brie Goldman / Food Styling: Shannon Goforth
If you’re as hooked on all things Marry Me as we are, this chicken pasta is a must-try. In fact, it might become a regular on your weeknight rotation. The chicken and creamy sauce are cooked in the same skillet, which means fewer dishes, and it’s loaded with classic Tuscan flavors from sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil.
Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan
Kelsey Hansen
Not only is this sheet-pan dinner low on dishes, it’s also short on ingredients. You only need six, plus salt and pepper (and maybe some fresh basil if you’re feeling fancy). The result is juicy chicken breasts with a crisp panko crust topped with gooey melted cheese and burst cherry tomatoes, all ready in about half an hour.
Pasta Carbonara Frittata
Carson Downing
If you love a hearty pasta carbonara, this eggy twist is an excuse to eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This dish doesn’t skimp on the carbonara essentials: crispy bacon, plenty of cheese, and springy pasta. Eggs bind everything together, and frozen peas add an easy splash of green.
Million Dollar Lasagna
Kelsey Hansen
What makes a lasagna recipe worth a million dollars? This decadent recipe is comfort food at its best. By swapping traditional marinara for a creamy white sauce, adding plenty of tangy ricotta and herby Italian sausage, and topping the whole thing with more melty provolone cheese, you’ve got an over-the-top delicious one-pan dinner.
Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo
Carson Downing
This easy one-pan dish starts with a handful of ingredients you likely already have on hand. Chicken broth, jarred Alfredo sauce, pasta, chicken (yes, you can even use leftover cooked or rotisserie chicken), and a generous serving of cheese make a simple crowd-pleasing dinner with minimal hands-on time.
Cheesy Garlic Swirl Rolls
Gabe Grecco
These easy homemade rolls are as good as the name suggests. They’re just as at home alongside a bowl of zuppa toscana as they are on a brunch spread with a hearty breakfast casserole. The flaky homemade pastry dough is wrapped around herby, cheesy garlic butter for the best savory swirl rolls you’ve ever tried.