Sides Easy Baked Caponata with Peppers
A lighter oven-baked caponata with peppers, eggplant, celery, onion, tomato, olives, and an agrodolce finish.
Cuisine
Italian
Browse 30 italian recipes from Mediterranean Joy.
30 recipes
Sides Easy 
Desserts Medium Chiacchiere al Forno Recipe
Baked chiacchiere with lemon zest, a little abbardente, and powdered sugar for a lighter Carnival pastry.
Main Dishes Medium Baked Eggplant Parmigiana Recipe
A no-fry eggplant parmigiana layered with tomato sauce, boiled eggs, basil, and parmesan, then baked until golden.
Desserts Medium Castagnole di Carnevale Recipe
Small fried Carnival dough bites with lemon zest, white wine, and a soft center under powdered sugar.
Main Dishes Medium Gnocchi di Patate al Sugo
Soft potato gnocchi dressed with quick tomato sauce, basil, and grated pecorino or parmesan.
Main Dishes Easy Tomato Water Gnocchi
Quick flour gnocchi made with boiling water, tomato paste, olive oil, and no potatoes.
Main Dishes Easy Baked Pasta Cake Recipe
Leftover pasta bound with eggs, tomato sauce, and three cheeses, then baked until golden. A Sardinian home-kitchen way to use yesterday's pasta.
Main Dishes Medium Barley Risotto with Mushrooms Recipe
Pearl barley cooked risotto-style with mushrooms, white wine, parsley, and parmesan for a sturdy one-pot dinner.
Main Dishes Medium Caponata Recipe with Eggplant, Olives, and Agrodolce
Sicilian caponata with eggplant, peppers, celery, tomato, olives, capers, and agrodolce. Serve cool or at room temperature.
Sides Easy Farro Pilaf Recipe with Roasted Vegetables
Farro toasted in olive oil, simmered in broth, and folded with roasted peppers, zucchini, herbs, and lemon zest.
Sides Easy Gremolata (Lemon Zest, Garlic, Parsley) for Beans and Vegetables
Three ingredients, five minutes. This Milanese condiment wakes up beans, braised dishes, and roasted vegetables with bright citrus and raw garlic.
Main Dishes Easy Mushroom and Lentil Ragù (Plant-Based)
A rich, savory plant-based ragù made with mushrooms and lentils. Deep umami flavor in a completely vegan sauce that satisfies like the meat version.
Main Dishes Easy Peperonata
Italian peperonata with red and yellow peppers, shallot, capers, oregano, and basil. Soft, glossy, and best after a short rest.
Sides Easy Pesto Variations: Basil, Arugula, Parsley-Walnut
Master the pesto formula and create infinite variations. Three distinctive recipes—classic basil, peppery arugula, and nutty parsley-walnut.
Sides Easy Salsa Verde (Parsley, Capers, Lemon, Olive Oil)
The ultimate Mediterranean sauce for fish. Bright parsley, briny capers, sharp lemon, and grassy olive oil. Five minutes to transform any seafood dish.
Sides Easy Simple Tomato Sauce (Garlic, Olive Oil, Basil)
The foundation sauce. Garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, and basil. Master this and you have the base for pasta, braises, soups, and countless variations.
Main Dishes Medium Stuffed Eggplant with Tomato, Herbs, and Breadcrumbs
Sicilian-style stuffed eggplant boats filled with tomato, herbs, and crispy breadcrumbs. Baked until tender and golden. Vegetarian, meal-prep friendly.
Main Dishes Easy Whole Wheat Pasta with Sardines, Lemon, and Breadcrumbs
A simplified pasta con le sarde—whole wheat spaghetti with sardines, lemon, and golden breadcrumbs. Nutritious, affordable, and deeply satisfying.
Appetizers Medium Calamari Salad Recipe with Lemon, Olive Oil, and Herbs
Tender poached calamari tossed with celery, green olives, olive oil, lemon, garlic, and parsley for a cold seafood salad.
Main Dishes Medium Chickpea Fritters (Panelle-Style)
Panelle-style chickpea fritters made from chickpea flour, water, parsley, olive oil, and lemon, pan-fried until crisp.
Salads Easy Farro Salad Recipe with Tomatoes and Herbs
Chewy farro salad with tomatoes, cucumber, herbs, lemon, olive oil, and optional feta for lunches or sides.
Soups & Stews Easy Greens and Beans Soup
Italian-style soup with dark leafy greens and white beans, finished with olive oil and lemon. Simple, nutritious, endlessly satisfying.
Main Dishes Easy Lentil Ragù Over Whole Grains
Hearty lentil ragù with vegetables and herbs, served over farro or any whole grain. Comfort without heaviness—the vegetarian bolognese.
Main Dishes Easy Mussels in Tomato & Herb Broth (Cozze al Pomodoro)
Plump mussels steamed in a garlicky tomato sauce with white wine and fresh herbs. Serve with crusty bread to soak up every drop of the broth.
Main Dishes Easy Pasta al Pomodoro
Spaghetti al pomodoro with garlic, basil, olive oil, and ripe tomatoes. A quick, stripped-back version finished directly in the pan.
Main Dishes Easy Spaghetti with Anchovies, Garlic & Toasted Breadcrumbs
A classic Southern Italian pasta where anchovies melt into the sauce, creating deep umami flavor. Topped with crispy garlic breadcrumbs for texture.
Soups & Stews Easy Tuscan Bean Soup with Bread (Ribollita-Style)
Hearty Tuscan bread soup with white beans and vegetables. Day-old bread makes it thick and satisfying—peasant food at its best.
Soups & Stews Easy White Bean and Kale Soup
Hearty Tuscan-style soup with creamy white beans, tender kale, and a rosemary olive oil finish. Comfort food that's genuinely good for you.
Salads Easy White Bean, Tuna, and Caper Salad
An Italian-style tuna and white bean salad with olives, capers, parsley, shallot, and a lemon-Dijon dressing. Briny, bright, rich, and ready fast.
Salads Easy Tuna and White Bean Salad with Lemon & Herbs
The ultimate pantry lunch: canned white beans, quality tuna, lemon, and fresh herbs. High protein, no cooking, ready in 5 minutes.