Category
Main Course
Main Course in Italian Meals
The main course, or secondo, holds a central place in the structure of an Italian meal. It is the principal dish that follows the antipasto and primo, designed to provide substance and satisfaction without overwhelming the palate. This course is carefully balanced to complement the preceding dishes, respecting the natural rhythm and progression of flavors and textures throughout the meal.
In Italian culinary tradition, the main course often features proteins such as meat, fish, or legumes, prepared with attention to seasonality and regional identity. Its role is not merely to fill but to complete the dining experience, bringing a sense of harmony and intentionality to the table. Timing is essential; the main course arrives after lighter courses to ensure appetite and appreciation are preserved.
The cultural relevance of the main course extends beyond nourishment. It embodies the Italian value of measured generosity, where each dish contributes to a cohesive narrative of taste and care. Understanding the main course within this framework reveals how Italian cuisine achieves its distinctive balance through discipline, respect for ingredients, and thoughtful sequencing.
Recipes
Showing 24 of 227 recipes
Classic Deviled Eggs
Classic deviled eggs recipe made with hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and paprika. This easy deviled eggs appetizer is creamy, tangy, and perfect for Easter, holidays, or parties.
Coconut Curry Potsticker Soup
This soup celebrates the harmony of bold Asian flavors with the comforting simplicity of Italian-inspired technique: a single pot, fresh ingredients, and balanced seasoning. The creamy coconut broth enriched with red curry paste provides a fragrant base that carries tender potstickers and vibrant vegetables. This dish exemplifies how mastering a few key ingredients and steps can yield a deeply satisfying meal without fuss.
Corn Casserole
A classic stir-and-bake corn casserole with a soft, creamy center and lightly crisp top, perfect for holidays and weeknight dinners.
Cream ice cream
Cream ice cream is one of the most popular flavors in the world. It is simple to prepare and requires the use of egg yolks, fresh milk, and sugar.
Cream, milk and chocolate swirl
A soft and fragrant dessert, perfect to bring to the table during the holidays: this swirl with milk and chocolate cream is a delicious treat that wins you over at the first bite.
Crispy Edamame Shiitake Bowls
These flavorful edamame bowls start with lemony broccoli rice topped with this rich, Indo-Chinese-inspired shiitake mushroom sauce and crispy, crunchy roasted edamame on top! The combination of textures and flavors is just absolutely fabulous. (gluten-free and nut-free with soy-free option)
Crockpot Beef Stew
This slow-cooked beef stew is a masterclass in transforming humble ingredients into a deeply flavorful, comforting dish. The secret lies in layering umami-rich seasonings like rosemary, garlic, soy sauce, and Worcestershire, combined with the slow, gentle cooking that renders the beef fork-tender and the vegetables meltingly soft. This stew exemplifies how patience and respect for quality ingredients elevate a simple stew into a soulful meal.
Crockpot Chicken Tetrazzini
Chicken Tetrazzini is a classic Italian-American comfort dish that combines tender chicken, mushrooms, and pasta in a luscious, creamy sauce. This slow cooker version honors the tradition of simple, hearty ingredients while embracing the ease of modern technique. Using the crockpot allows the flavors to meld beautifully over time, delivering a satisfying meal with minimal hands-on effort. The key to this recipe is balancing the slow cooking of chicken and vegetables with the delicate timing of pasta and cream cheese, ensuring a silky sauce that clings perfectly to every strand of spaghetti. Breaking the pasta in half is a practical choice to fit the slow cooker and achieve even cooking, a small compromise that respects the spirit of Italian cooking without sacrificing quality.
Crockpot White Chicken Chili
This white chicken chili exemplifies the beauty of slow cooking: minimal effort with maximum flavor. By combining simple, wholesome ingredients and letting them simmer gently, the slow cooker transforms them into a comforting, hearty dish that celebrates balance and depth without fuss. This recipe honors the Italian culinary principle that great food comes from respecting each ingredient and allowing their natural qualities to meld harmoniously. Unlike traditional red chili, this version uses salsa verde, cumin, and oregano to build a vibrant, zesty profile, while the white beans and tender chicken provide satisfying texture and protein. The slow cooking process not only tenderizes the chicken but also allows the spices to infuse deeply, creating a dish that is both nourishing and soul-warming.
Cutlets
How to make perfect, crispy, and golden cutlets at home: a quick and easy recipe with veal, crispy breading, and expertly fried.
Date and Curry Dip with Cream Cheese
The best date and curry dip with cream cheese! This quick and easy dip recipe only requires a handful of ingredients and 5 minutes of your time. Bonus: It works with or without a blender!
Deviled Eggs Recipe
Learn how to make the BEST deviled eggs! This easy recipe is always a hit at holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter and other parties and gatherings.
Dumpling Sauce
This is an easy to make dumpling sauce that's perfect for dipping dumplings or drizzling over rice.
Easter Bunny Cake
The Easter bunny cake is a visually stunning and irresistible dessert, perfect for bringing something different to the table during the holidays. It's a soft and delicious chocolate cake base, similar to a flourless chocolate cake, topped with whipped cream and lots of colorful decorations that make it cheerful and very appealing, especially for children. It's not a traditional recipe, I know, but sometimes it's nice to break the mold and have fun with a creative dessert that captivates at first glance. Plus, it's easier than it looks: just a little skill in cutting and the WOW effect is guaranteed. Perfect as an Easter dessert or for a spring buffet, you'll see that it will disappear in no time!
Easter Lamb
Simple recipe for cute Easter lambs or a large lamb
Easter Ricotta Cookies
Discover how to prepare Easter ricotta cookies: easy and delicious treats, fun to decorate, and perfect to serve or give as gifts for Easter.
Egg Liqueur Muffins
These simple egg liqueur muffins with chocolate sprinkles and oil will be wonderfully moist and fluffy.
Egg Roll Soup
This soup captures the essence of a classic egg roll but in a comforting, warm bowl. Combining the simplicity of Italian respect for fresh, quality ingredients with the vibrant flavors of Asian cuisine, it celebrates the harmony of tender cabbage, aromatic ginger, and savory ground meat simmered in a delicate broth.
Eggplant Caponata with Cocoa Sauce
Eggplant caponata with cocoa sauce is a side dish with a complex flavor, playing on the contrasts of sweet, bitter, and salty. Discover the ingredients and procedure!
Eggplant Parmesan
Eggplant Parmesan is one of the most famous and beloved Italian recipes. Discover the ingredients and instructions here to prepare eggplant Parmesan!
Falafel: Original Recipe and Tips
Falafel are the iconic chickpea fritters of Middle Eastern cuisine. Here is my recipe for making them crispy on the outside and soft, never dry, on the inside.
Farro and Borlotti Bean Soup
The farro and borlotti bean soup is a very rich and flavorful first course, perfect for enjoying throughout the cold season.
Firecracker Chicken
Firecracker chicken is an Americanized Chinese takeout dish consisting of crispy chunks of batter-fried chicken and a sweet-spicy sauce. This is our restaurant-quality version!
French Fish Pie
Recipe video above. This is a homestyle fish pie I like to make for Easter, one of my mother used to make for us. Chunks of white fish fillets slowly poached in creamy béchamel with fennel, leek and fresh dill then topped with mashed potato and baked until golden. Don't be surprised that it doesn’t call for a homemade fish stock, you’ll still get plenty of flavour from the fish itself and the fresh herbs.