Though many restaurants across the United States offer a fusion of Italian and American dishes, there’s truly nothing like an authentic, traditional dish straight from the motherland. We’ve outlined some of the best classic Italian dishes that you must try as they were intended.
Bolognese
A mixture of ground beef, veal, diced pancetta, onions, carrots, celery, wine, tomato, and rich beef stock come together to create one of the best Italian dishes ever made. When eating a truly authentic Bolognese, you’ll feel as if you’ve just been transported to Nonna’s kitchen in Bologna, eating serving after serving and ending the feast with the best nap of your life. Topped with some freshly grated parmesan, this pasta dish is warm, satisfying, and quite easy to make at home once you get the basics down. Don’t forget to make your pasta from scratch too!
Caprese Salad
The best Italian dishes are the simplest ones. This dish requires heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella, balsamic vinegar, a sprinkle of salt, and plenty of olive oil. A caprese salad is a great way to start a meal, and the best part is, it can be easily shared! Consider making this to visually impress a first date.
Pizza Napoletana
This caprese salad, but in pizza form! Stemming from Naples, this pizza requires San Marzano tomatoes cooked down into a truly incomparable sauce. Once the sauce is generously spread atop freshly stretched pizza dough, mozzarella comes to steal the show. Plentiful slices are arranged on the pizza, which is then popped into the oven to cook. A finished product yields crunchy crust and the ideal cheese pull. Top this pizza with bits of basil and a sprinkle of olive oil for maximum satisfaction.
Brodetto
One great thing about the majority of meals on this list is that they are pretty economical! Brodetto is a fish stew that is traditionally made with a fisherman’s catch of the day. What was once labeled as a peasant dish is now often transformed into a gourmet meal in Italian restaurants. You can use a variety of seafood in this dish, from shrimp and cuttlefish to clams, mussels, and sea bass. The tomato broth is satisfying with a slight garlicky tang. The next time you go fishing and have way too much leftover, consider making this at home!
Tiramisu
Now that we’ve got all the savory dishes out of the way, it’s time to move on to one of the best Italian desserts of all time: tiramisu! Made with a mascarpone custard, cocoa powder, and ladyfinger cookies soaked in espresso and rum, this dish is an explosion of flavors that is oh-so quintessentially Italian. You’ll find tiramisu at almost any Italian restaurant or bakery. But, since it’s so delicious, you’ll likely not want to share, so we suggest ordering more than one for the table.
Sfogliatelle
Naples is the home to some of the most iconic Italian dishes of all times. Sfogliatelle is a dessert that looks a bit like a croissant but is packed with a creamy custard or whipped filling. In the United States, this pastry is well-known as a lobster tail. It is flaky, crunchy, and the filling always tastes light and refreshing on the tongue.
Book Your Next Weekend Dinner at Strega!
Strega is proud to serve some of the best Italian dishes in Boston, from our Tenderloin Pizza to our Tagliatelle Bolognese. We welcome everyone to Strega, whether you’re visiting us for a casual dinner or celebrating your most recent achievement. Book a reservation with us today!
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