The 7 most loved Italian dishes of all time

Italian cuisine is certainly one of the most popular in the world thanks to its variety, pure flavors and top-quality products! Each Italian region has its own recipes, but there are also some dishes celebrated across the country.

Are you ready to discover the most popular dishes of Italian cuisine? Ferryhopper takes you on a gastronomic journey through Italy to help you choose your next destination!

Cute Italian restaurant with outdoor seating

The most famous dishes of Italian cuisine

Italy has it all! Art, culture, architecture, traditions, beaches, and, above all, food! Foodies know that you can find a dish for all tastes in the Italian islands and mainland. From pasta and meat to street food delights, it’s really hard to come up with a list including the best Italian dishes! So, let’s start with the most popular!

Here are 7 mouth-watering Italian dishes for real food lovers:

1) Pizza

Pizza is certainly the most recognizable symbol of Italian food culture in the world, and that’s why it deserves to be at the top of our list. 

In Italy, pizza comes in different forms. From the classic round pizza to the pizza al taglio (baked in rectangular trays), there is a pizza pie with your name on it! To enjoy an authentic Italian pizza in its original version, we recommend a trip to Naples. This beautiful city is in fact the birthplace of pizza, dating back to the 18th century!

Pizza in Naples is no joke! Pizza makers must follow very specific rules to prepare it: it’s important to use the best mozzarella cheese, a specific type of tomato and obviously cook the pizza in a wood oven. 

In addition to the classic pizza version, in Naples you can also try the famous fried pizza, made of a light dough enclosing a mixture of ricotta, pork rinds, tomato and cheese. Drooling?

Tip: if you want to prepare a perfect home-made pizza, don't forget to bake it first with the tomato sauce only, and add the mozzarella later. This is the secret to a unique result!

2) Tagliatelle al ragù (bolognese)

When it comes to the most famous Italian pasta recipes in the world, tagliatelle with bolognese sauce is at the top! This dish has Emilian origins, and was invented in Bologna in 1487 for the marriage of Lucrezia Borgia to the Duke of Ferrara.

Recipes for this historic dish are family heirlooms and locals often make it for Sunday lunch or to celebrate a special day. And with some parmesan on top, it tastes even better!

Tip: to prepare an excellent bolognese sauce at home, remember to always use a mixture of beef and pork meat with fatty parts.

A delicious plate of tagliatelle with bolognese sauce

3) Pasta with pesto

Pesto is one of the products that perfectly embodies the Italian spirit thanks to its fabulous basil scent.

The pesto sauce is typical of the Liguria region, in particular of the city of Genoa, where it’s used as a condiment for trofie (a short, thin and twisted fresh pasta). In the rest of Italy, pasta with pesto is prepared with the most varied pasta shapes, and is one of the simplest and fastest dishes to prepare.

For a perfect result it is important to use quality ingredients, which are then blended together: genoese basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil, pine nuts, parmesan, pecorino, garlic, and coarse sea salt.

Tip: in addition to trofie, the best types of pasta to enjoy with pesto sauce are fusilli, mezze penne and gnocchi!

4) Eggplant parmigiana

The eggplant parmigiana (parmigiana di melanzane) is one of the most popular dishes of all, even if its origin is uncertain and is often disputed between some Italian regions.

It looks like lasagna, but it's made of layers of fried eggplant, mozzarella cheese and parmesan baked together with tomato sauce. In Italy, everyone prepares it in their own way, but in Sicily you will probably eat one of the best!

This delicious main course is prepared especially during summer and it is perfect for a picnic or to take it with you to the beach. We recommend you leave some time for digestion before diving though☺

Traditional eggplant parmigiana with fresh ingredients

5) Risotto

After pasta, risotto is one of the most loved and cooked main courses in Italy. 

Typical of the regional cuisine of Northern Italy, it is perfect for any occasion. But to create an authentic creamy Italian risotto, it's really really important to use only Italian short-grain rice varieties (such as arborio or carnaroli). 

Risotto can also be combined with many ingredients for an abundance of culinary treats: vegetables, seafood and even meat accompany it in an excellent way, so if you decide to make risotto, you can surely play around!

Tip: risotto is a dish that requires care and attention. If you want to prepare it at home, remember to gently fold the rice back and forth and don’t let it simmer unattended!

6) Carbonara

Carbonara is certainly one of the Italian dishes able to put everyone in a good mood! Ιt’s a real Italian culinary pride.

Carbonara is very typical in Rome, and is commonly prepared with spaghetti or rigatoni. According to the traditional recipe, the ingredients to make a perfect carbonara are: guanciale (not bacon!), pecorino romano, egg yolks and pepper. 

It is also important that the egg, pepper and cheese cream is never poured into a pan with the stove on. If you don't usually cook carbonara like this, maybe it's time to try it. Game changer!

Useful info: April 6th is National Carbonara Day in Italy! What about a fantastic trip to Rome? You can travel to Rome (Civitavecchia) by ferry from different Italian and European destinations. From the port, you can reach Rome city center by train in less than 1 hour!

The real Roman carbonara

7) Tiramisu

And to top it off, you can't miss dessert! How about tiramisu? 

This delicious cake made with ladyfingers (savoiardi), mascarpone, eggs and coffee is one of the most appreciated, especially by children!

The origin of tiramisu is not entirely certain (even if it’s probably linked to the Veneto region), but as soon as you hear the words “Italian tiramisu”, you already know that happiness awaits!

Good to know: if you are planning a trip to Venice, don't miss the shop I Tre Mercanti, where you can try 25 different flavors of tiramisu!

A delicious Italian tiramisu

Hungry much? Plan your trip to Italy with Ferryhopper and try all the original recipes! Find useful information on how to get around Italy by ferry and book your ferry tickets with just a few clicks!

Good to know: check the latest ferry schedules for Italy and plan you trip with ease.