Over the past two centuries, Italian cuisine has taken the world by storm with its distinctive, flavorful meals. Dishes like pizza and spaghetti are now considered timeless gastronomic delights that have wowed many generations. In fact, these Italian masterpieces are so ingrained in the global culture that searching for ‘pizza delivery near me’ is an everyday occurrence. If you want to eat yummy Italian meals, here’s a list of some of the best dishes to try today!
1. Pizza
Arguably the most famous Italian dish, pizza is a highly-versatile meal that can accommodate many different taste preferences. If there’s a dish you can dress down or dress up, this is it. You can bake it with a thin or thick crust, tomato sauce or oil-based, mozzarella or ricotta cheese, pepperoni or smoked salmon, and so much more!
Even with only the barest ingredients like the original Neapolitan pizza or having heaps full of toppings like the Chicago Deep-Dish, you’ll be super satisfied with all the flavors coming together in your mouth. There’s no best pizza because everyone has the choice to make a particular ‘best pizza’ for themselves!
2. Meatball Sub
Okay, so this isn’t 100% Italian, but it still counts! This tasty Italian-American creation is definitely one of the best gastronomic combos ever invented. At the turn of the 20th century, many Italian immigrants crossed the seas and settled down in the United States. With them came tons of new flavors, and the meatball sub was born.
Like many American dishes, this one is simple yet filling and can easily be eaten on the go. But, it still has that unmistakable Italian flavors because of the marinara sauce, provolone cheese, and type of bread used.
3. Spaghetti
The best pizza deals come with pasta, and spaghetti is still one of the most popular forms of it. While there are many debates on where this appetizing dish truly originated from, one thing’s for sure: The world loves it.
This type of pasta is made up of ground grain and water, and can be partnered up with different kinds of sauces and ingredients. One of the most notable is the Spaghetti Bolognese, which consists of spaghetti noodles, marinara sauce with three different types of ground meat, and a few choice herbs.
4. Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
If you have a simple, no-fuss palate and are craving for some pasta, the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is a sure winner for you! Plus, this is one of the best pizza side-dishes you can ask for if your pie is already rich with flavors.
You’ll get your fill, since fettuccine is a substantial-feeling flat noodle made up of egg and flour. Plus, it’s deliciously-tossed in a mixture of melted butter and Parmesan cheese, so your sauce is both thick yet still flavorful. Add in lightly-seasoned chicken into the mix for more protein, and you’re already good to go!
5. Tiramisu
One of the most loved desserts on the entire planet, tiramisu means ‘cheer me up.’ And it does a good job of doing just that! A plate of this heavenly sweet dish will surely brighten anyone’s rainy day.
It’s made up of crispy, sweet ladyfingers dipped in coffee sandwiched in a delightfully, sinful mix of mascarpone cheese, eggs, and sugar with a touch of cocoa, and is usually refrigerated before serving. If your mouth is watering just by reading this, wait until you can actually taste it.
6. Chicken Parmigiana
Another great Italian-American food masterpiece, Chicken Parmesan is a meal you must try at least once in your life! It took inspiration from the Italian Parmigiana dish whose superstar is breaded eggplant and used chicken instead.
It is usually made up of breaded chicken breast-topped with a hefty amount of tomato sauce and some kind of cheese (mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, or a combination of all three!). This popular dish can be eaten as an entrée or a sandwich, so you can take your pick.
7. Calzones
If you’re looking for a different kind of pizza experience, make sure to add calzones in any of your pizza deals. It was made to be a more efficient pizza for home deliveries. But, it paved its own way in history as a separate, tasty treat that many still love.
A calzone is a folded-over pizza sandwich with a mouthwatering variety of ingredients found inside it. Ingredients can range from mozzarella to ricotta, marinara sauce or olive oil with garlic, anchovies, olives, and different kinds of meat. Plus, this yummy treat can be baked or fried.
