34 Italian Comfort Food Recipes That Bring the Old Country to Your Kitchen

Italian food is some of the best in the world. Its hearty textures and flavors make it classic comfort food, no matter where you're from, and this collection of 34 Italian comfort food recipes showcases that. Try a variety of hearty Italian classics and creative variations like Mediterranean tortellini caprese salad, spicy Italian sausage pasta, vodka sauce with meat, and much more.

Fried Spaghetti

A fork full of spaghetti in dish. — Fried Spaghetti. Photo Credit. Kitchen Divas.

This fried spaghetti recipe is quick, easy, and light. It's a great pasta dish for any day of the week. It even reheats well!
Get the Recipe: Fried Spaghetti

Mediterranean Tortellini Caprese Salad (Costco Copycat)

Closeup overhead shot of tortellini salad. — Mediterranean Tortellini Caprese Salad (Costco Copycat). Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

This 10-ingredient Costco copycat recipe for Mediterranean Tortellini Caprese Salad is made with only 10 minutes of active prep time!
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Tortellini Caprese Salad (Costco Copycat)

Italian Cheese Bread

Two slices of cheddar cheese bread on a white plate, placed on a striped cloth with a bowl of butter in the background—perfect side dishes to complement your favorite recipes. — Italian Cheese Bread. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

This quick bread recipe for Italian Cheese Bread recipe is the best for grilled cheese and tastes similar to Cheddar Bay Biscuits from Red Lobster but in loaf form.
Get the Recipe: Italian Cheese Bread

Gnocchi Carbonara

A close-up of cooked gnocchi mixed with peas, mushrooms, and bacon, garnished with parsley and topped with shavings of Parmesan cheese. The dish captures the comforting essence of pasta in every bite. — Gnocchi Carbonara, Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

Gnocchi carbonara features delicious gnocchi combined with portobello mushrooms, pancetta, and more to create a delicious, rustic dish.
Get the Recipe: Gnocchi Carbonara

Spaghetti Verde Pasta

Closeup of pasta in dish. — Spaghetti Verde Pasta. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

This spaghetti verde pasta is loaded with the delicious flavors of salsa verde and served with spaghetti noodles.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Verde Pasta

Easy Marinara Steak Pasta (Steak Spaghetti)

A bowl of spaghetti topped with sliced grilled steak-recipes, roasted tomatoes, and garnished with fresh parsley. — Easy Marinara Steak Pasta (Steak Spaghetti). Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Make delicious steak pasta with perfectly cooked steak and a quick homemade tomato sauce! Steak spaghetti is sure to be a hit for dinner!
Get the Recipe: Easy Marinara Steak Pasta (Steak Spaghetti)

Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta

This spicy Italian sausage pasta packs a punch of flavor and heat with spicy Italian sausage and two kinds of chile peppers.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta

Pizza Spaghetti Casserole (Fazoli's Copycat)

Close-up of baked spaghetti with meatballs and melted cheese, garnished with herbs, epitomizing cheesy comfort foods. — Pizza Spaghetti Casserole (Fazoli'S Copycat). Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This delectably meaty, cheesy Pizza Spaghetti Casserole recipe is a copycat Fazoli’s pizza-baked spaghetti loaded with your favorite pizza toppings.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Spaghetti Casserole (Fazoli's Copycat)

Alfredo Meatballs

These alfredo meatballs are loaded with flavor and bathed in a delicious alfredo sauce. It's a hearty, tasty dinner everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Alfredo Meatballs

Olive Garden Spaghetti And Meatballs

Closeup of meatballs on a bed of spaghetti. — Olive Garden Spaghetti And Meatballs. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This Olive Garden spaghetti and meatballs recipe is loaded with all the flavor we love in the original. Big meatballs and rich sauce? Yum!
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Spaghetti And Meatballs

Italian Nachos

A hand dipping a tortilla chip loaded with cheese, ground meat, and chopped greens into a small bowl of red salsa. Other similar chips with toppings are around the bowl—an unexpected but delicious twist reminiscent of Italian cuisine's flair for combining robust flavors. — Italian Nachos. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

These Italian nachos are the Mexican/Italian fusion dish you never knew you wanted - but you DO! Italian nachos are delicious and easy.
Get the Recipe: Italian Nachos

Crispy Cheese Bruschetta Bites

Slices of toasted bread topped with melted cheese, diced tomatoes, and herbs on a baking sheet make a perfect example of cheesy comfort foods. — Crispy Cheese Bruschetta Bites. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

Bruschetta with cheese is full of fresh juicy tomatoes, mayo and mozzarella for easy appetizer bites everyone will love for parties and more.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Cheese Bruschetta Bites

Spaghetti Stuffed Subs

A sub sandwich filled with spaghetti, meatballs, marinara sauce, and melted cheese, garnished with chopped parsley and perfect for lunch, surrounded by fresh parsley leaves on a wooden surface. — Spaghetti Stuffed Subs. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Spaghetti stuffed subs combine meatball subs with everyone's favorite comfort food. They're a full spaghetti meal in a sandwich!
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Stuffed Subs

Pesto Salmon

Pesto Salmon is easy to make, and bursting with flavor. This recipe makes for a great quick and simple healthy family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon

Pasta Napoletana

Pasta held in air with fork. — Pasta Napoletana. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

Pasta Napoletana is a deliciosly simple recipe that's basically the garden on your plate. It comes together easily, and it's so good!
Get the Recipe: Pasta Napoletana

How To Make Vodka Sauce With Meat

A cast-iron skillet filled with penne pasta mixed in a rich tomato-based sauce, garnished with a fresh basil leaf. A wooden spoon rests in the skillet. — How To Make Vodka Sauce With Meat. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

How to make vodka pasta sauce recipe shows you how to prepare vodka sauce with meat to create many different easy meals your family will love.
Get the Recipe: How To Make Vodka Sauce With Meat

Italian Herbs And Cheese Bread

A copycat sub sandwich with layers of deli meats, cheese, and lettuce on a cheese-crusted bun, served on parchment paper with a white cloth in the background. — Italian Herbs And Cheese Bread. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread is delicious Italian bread that is topped with cheese and herb seasonings. This breads makes a great sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Italian Herbs And Cheese Bread

Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi

A plate of seasoned gnocchi served with a side of tomato sauce. — Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi is a delicious quick and easy dish that are a perfect addition to any meal and only requires a few ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi

Spaghetti Alla Bolognese

A plate of Italian cuisine featuring spaghetti noodles topped with rich meat sauce, colorful bell peppers, and garnished with fresh basil leaves. — Spaghetti Alla Bolognese. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

This spaghetti alla bolognese recipe is full of garden fresh flavors you'll love. Bell peppers, onions, garlic, and tomatoes? Yum!
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Alla Bolognese

School Cafeteria Spaghetti

A plate of spaghetti with marinara sauce, ground meat, and shredded cheese, garnished with a sprig of parsley, next to an old-fashioned striped napkin. — School Cafeteria Spaghetti. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

This school cafeteria spaghetti recipe will have you recalling the flavor of childhood. This simple recipe tastes like lunch period!
Get the Recipe: School Cafeteria Spaghetti

Slow Cooker Turkey Bolognese

A plate of spaghetti topped with a tomato-based sauce containing mushrooms and herbs, meticulously crafted using slow cooking techniques. Salt and pepper shakers, basil leaves, and a cloth napkin are nearby. — Slow Cooker Turkey Bolognese. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

This slow cooker turkey bolognese recipe is filled with delicious flavors and textures. Try this turkey bolognese sauce for yourself.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Bolognese

Risotto Pasta

A wooden spoon holding a serving of cooked orzo pasta mixed with herbs and seasoning, embodying the essence of Italian cuisine, with more pasta blurred in the background. — Risotto Pasta. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

This risotto pasta combines everything we love about risotto with delicious orzo pasta. It makes a great side dish for almost anything.
Get the Recipe: Risotto Pasta

Easy Baked Bruschetta Salmon

Baked salmon topped with a colorful mix of cherry tomatoes and basil, served on parchment paper on a white countertop. — Easy Baked Bruschetta Salmon. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

Bruschetta Salmon is a delightful fusion of two beloved dishes - the classic Italian bruschetta and tender, flavorful salmon.
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Bruschetta Salmon

Chopped Italian Sandwich

A close-up of a drool-worthy submarine sandwich loaded with diced vegetables, meats, and seasonings, served on a black plate with additional pickles in the background. This is one of those sandwiches that makes you want to sink your teeth into every bite. — Chopped Italian Sandwich. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

This Chopped Italian Sandwich is viral on TikTok and after trying it, I can see why. It’s a yummy and creative interpretation of the classic Italian combo.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Italian Sandwich

Easy Tortellini Pesto Salad

A close-up of a wooden spoon holding a serving of pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh herbs, showcasing one of those irresistible salads that doesn't rely on lettuce for its charm. — Easy Tortellini Pesto Salad. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This pesto tortellini pasta salad is loaded with cheese tortellini, pesto, cherry tomatoes, and more and makes a great side or main dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tortellini Pesto Salad

Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup With Tortellini

A close-up of a bowl of chunky minestrone soup, made in a slow cooker, filled with vegetables, pasta, beans, and ground meat in a tomato-based broth. — Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup With Tortellini. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Slow cooker minestrone soup with tortellini is a hearty dish your family will love. Packed with veggies, protein, and noodles, it's a feast!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup With Tortellini

Pesto Gnocchi Recipe

A plate of creamy pesto gnocchi garnished with fresh tomato wedges and basil leaves, placed on a table with a fork beside it, reminiscent of traditional Italian cuisine. — Pesto Gnocchi Recipe. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This basil pesto gnocchi recipe is easy to make and loaded with flavor. Tender gnocchi, pesto, tomatoes, and cheese? Oh, it's so good.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Gnocchi Recipe

Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup Made 3 Ways

bowl of Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup — Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup is easy and so creamy. Make this creamy chicken tortellini soup with the stove, slow cooker, or Instant Pot.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup Made 3 Ways

Copycat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells

This copycat Olive Garden stuffed shells recipe has everything we love about Olive Garden giant stuffed shells. In fact, it might be better!
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells

Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

A dish of creamy, cheesy pasta topped with grilled chicken pieces and garnished with chopped parsley. — Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti is creamy and flavorful. Not only is this recipe easy to make but it family-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

Sundried Tomato Pasta With Chicken

Chicken sliced in skillet with pasta. — Sundried Tomato Pasta With Chicken. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta includes sun dried tomatoes in a delightfully creamy garlic parmesan sauce and a secret ingredient.
Get the Recipe: Sundried Tomato Pasta With Chicken

Rigatoni Carbonara

A fork holding a bite of macaroni pasta with pieces of tomato, bell pepper, and parsley showcases the rich flavors of Italian cuisine. — Rigatoni Carbonara. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Rigatoni carbonara is an easy and tasty dinner idea. Chicken, your favorite vegetables, and pasta in a sauce that takes a moment to make!
Get the Recipe: Rigatoni Carbonara

Summer Alfredo Pasta Recipe

A forkful of pasta held in the air. — Summer Alfredo Pasta Recipe. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This easy, summer Alfredo pasta recipe is rich and buttery with a delicious garlic punch and no shortage of parmesan cheese. It's a simple dish that has so many possibilities.

Get the Recipe: Summer Alfredo Pasta Recipe