Italian Food: 10 Famous Dishes of Italian Cuisine

The world cuisine has a wide range of very rich and different flavors. Italian cuisine, which comes to mind first among world cuisines, has managed to spread all over the world with its original and light flavors.

Italian food, which has a special food culture, is located on the Mediterranean coast of the country and consists of impressive flavors where vegetables, meat, and seafood are used together. In addition to its food, Italy is also known for its coffee, desserts, and wines and attaches great importance to the taste buds.

Each of the Italian dishes, the first choice of gourmets, has local characteristics depending on the city where it is made. You can choose Italian restaurants in Turkey to taste the flavours that you can find different taste in every point of the country without going to Italy.

Margarita

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Italian cuisine is undoubtedly pizza. Pizzas, made with a variety of ingredients, offer an option to satisfy every palate. Pizza, considered the most important dish in Italy, plays a big role in the country's cuisine, even though it is known as fast food in the world.

The most frequently preferred pizza recipe in Italy is Margarita, and it is consumed all over the world with its light structure and taste that appeals to every taste.

Prepared in a very practical way, Margarita contains flour, olive oil, water, dry yeast, salt, granulated sugar, tomatoes, oregano, basil, and mozzarella cheese. Considering its ingredients, pizza is also a suitable choice for a vegetarian diet, and it is a filling option.

Lasagna

Lasagne, which originated in Bologna, Italy, is an Italian dish that is among the local flavours of the country. It is also considered a type of pasta dish and is prepared with different methods and ingredients.

Lasagna typically contains lasagna sheets, ground meat, onions, tomatoes, tomato paste, olive oil, garlic, salt, butter, milk, flour, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese. The meat, tomato sauce, and special dough are prepared and baked in the oven, topped with béchamel sauce and cheese.

Fettucini Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo is a type of pasta unique to Italy, made with ingredients such as butter, Parmesan cheese, chicken breast, mushrooms, olive oil, cream, basil, garlic, and black pepper.

The inventor of the dish, which appeared in a restaurant in Rome at the beginning of the 20th century, is Alfredo Di Lelio. Although cream and chicken are not used in the first recipe, this unique flavor, which has spread around the world over time, is made with different techniques and ingredients.

Fettucini Alfredo, which manages to attract attention with its soft texture, lingering flavour, and satisfying feature, is among the favourite dishes that you can find in almost every restaurant.

Bruschetta

Consumed since the 15th century, Bruschetta has a unique flavour. The dish preferred by gourmets is a full Mediterranean flavor. Bruschetta, which is made by adding olive oil, cheese, garlic, vegetables, and tomatoes on thin slices of bread, is one of the most frequently consumed Italian dishes especially in summer months with its light structure.

The original recipe of the dish uses bread, mozzarella cheese, garlic, olive oil, cherry tomatoes, bread, balsamic vinegar, and fresh basil. This dish, which can be consumed at almost every meal from breakfast to dinner and is usually served as a starter, can also be eaten as a snack with drinks.

Ravioli with Ricotta Cheese

Ravioli, one of the favourite pasta varieties of Italian cuisine, manages to attract attention with its structure similar to the ravioli of Turkish cuisine. Ravioli is a type of stuffed pasta, often described as 'Italian dumplings.' It consists of triangular pieces of dough with serrated edges, filled with various ingredients.

The filling can include vegetables, cheese, meat, or fish. Ravioli is typically served with tomato-based or cream-based sauces. Ravioli filled with ricotta, a type of cheese unique to Italy, is served with tomato sauce.

Ravioli is made with eggs, flour, olive oil, salt, ricotta cheese, black pepper, tomatoes, garlic, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and butter. Special flavors can be created by adding different vegetables in Cheese Ravioli.

Minestrone Soup

Minestrone Soup holds a special place in Italian cuisine and is a hearty winter dish dominated by vegetables. The vegetable soup includes zucchini, carrots, leeks, dried onions, celery, garlic, tomatoes, grated parmesan cheese, pasta beads, beans, meat or chicken broth, cauliflower, broccoli, basil, olive oil and salt.

Minestrone Soup, which has become a symbol of Italy for many years, is extremely tasty and satisfying, as well as has high nutritional value and light texture.

Seafood Gnocchi

Gnocchi, also known as 'Niyokki,' is a traditional Italian dish found in the world of egg pasta. Gnocchi, which contains potato, semolina, egg, cornflour, and wheat flour, can be used with mussels, shrimp, spinach, or seafood. You can experience a unique flavor by choosing the potato ravioli that best suits your taste buds.

Spinach gnocchi, the first choice of those who want a light meal, is also an ideal taste for individuals who usually eat vegetarian. Seafood lovers can try seafood gnocchi. A unique taste is created by using mussels and shrimp in this dish.

Focaccia

Focaccia originated in Liguria, Italy. This food, which can be eaten at every meal with its bread-like structure, has spread rapidly all over the world. Flour, water, salt, yeast, olive oil, sliced olives, fresh rosemary, and cherry tomatoes are used in the production of focaccia dishes. You can create new flavours by adding different foods while making focaccia.

This type of bread, which can be preferred as breakfast, snack, dinner, aperitif, and snack, manages to adapt to all palates with its crispy outer surface and an inner part that disperses in the mouth.

Risotto

Risotto, which is one of the favourite flavours of Northern Italy, consists of different varieties. This dish, which differs according to the region where it is made, is cooked using a special rice. Risotto can be made with a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, saffron, pumpkin, shrimp, seafood, and meat.

Risotto is cooked slowly in meat broth and the most preferred ingredients are white wine, onion, saffron, butter, and parmesan cheese. This type of risotto is called ’Risotto Alla Milanese".

Although it may resemble rice pilaf in Turkish cuisine, Risotto is enriched with special spices and ingredients, offering a unique flavor. It is often enjoyed with a glass of wine.

Tortellini

Tortellini, one of the egg pasta, is one of the world-famous dishes of Italy. A legend spread about the emergence of this dish, known as "Belly Button", that a chef made after seeing the belly button of Venus, the Goddess of Beauty.

Tortellini, known to date back to the 17th century at the earliest, is believed to have been first made in Bologna. A dish with a stuffed structure is created by using ingredients such as Parmesan cheese, pancetta, beef, veal, pork, prosciutto, and mortadella to form a rich filling.

Many different alternatives to the dish made from the traditional pasta of Italy have emerged. Vegetable versions are the first choice for those who like mild flavors. Tortellini, which has a unique taste with its easy preparation and colourful recipe, consists of options that appeal to all tastes.

You can taste the famous Italian dishes in the restaurants section of Calista Luxury Resort and have an exceptional dining experience. The restaurants with various concepts are staffed by personnel specialised in Turkish and international cuisine. By trying the restaurants that suit your taste, you can embark on an impressive culinary journey.