Italians are masters of simple, elegant cooking with minimal ingredients. This summer, while the markets are overflowing with fresh, colorful produce, cook like an Italian! From a light and bright pasta to a savory fruit salad, these are the Italian recipes you should be making NOW.
Pasta with Vodka Sauce
This recipe from A Couple Cooks is the epitome of an Italian meal, with classic ingredients like garlic, basil, crushed tomato, oregano, and Parmesan cheese. But it’s the vodka sauce that elevates this dish to new heights—the flavor it creates is well worth the hour of simmering required.
Spaghetti with Clams, Parsley, Garlic, and Lemon
This recipe from Food52 is our ideal summer pasta. It’s satisfying but not weighed down with a rich sauce or dairy. Sweet, summer clams are the star here, so buy the freshest ones you can get your hands on. A hefty dose of lemon keeps this dish light, while the olive oil mixes with the clam juices to form a simple sauce that coats the spaghetti.
Antipasto Salad
We cannot stop making this hearty no-cook dish from Bon Appétit. The chunky salad has everything you’ll find on your favorite antipasti board—salami, pickled vegetables, fresh mozzarella—but here, it’s cut up and tossed in a punchy Italian vinaigrette.
Summer Squash Pizza with Goat Cheese and Walnuts
Make this summery pizza from Food & Wine when the squash and zucchini are young and have some crunch to them. The mild vegetables taste so fresh when layered over a smear of tangy goat cheese. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can use homemade pizza dough, but we like to whip this recipe up with store-bought dough for a decadent weeknight meal.
Summer Melon Salad with Ham and Mint Vinaigrette
This Italian-inspired salad from Coastal Living is a lovely go-to meal on a hot summer day. When the melon is ripe and juicy, it’s the perfect pairing for the salty prosciutto. To keep it bright, the entire thing is drizzled with a shallot vinaigrette and a scattering of fresh mint leaves.
Buffalo Mozzarella with Neat and Messy Roasted Tomatoes
Aside from salt and pepper, you might notice that this gorgeous recipe from Food & Wine calls for only THREE ingredients. In true Italian style, when the ingredients are at their best, you don’t need much else! Cherry tomatoes are roasted two ways, providing an interesting contrast. For serving, look for the freshest and best-quality buffalo mozzarella you can find. The cream from the cheese mixes with the olive oil to form an unctuous sauce to mop up with crusty bread.
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