There is something unique about Italian cuisine that seems to hit the spot perfectly when you’re craving a warm plate of comfort food. Many might even argue that all Italian dishes are comfort food, giving you a cozy feeling of enjoyment with each bite.
Ideal for both kids and adults, you too can experience the warm embrace of traditional Italian comfort food using quality, fresh pasta, gnocchi and fresh sauces from Olivieri®. To help you out, we’ve gathered our top recipes that need to be added to your repertoire for anything from an intimate dinner for two to a quick weeknight meal to share with your family. So, without further ado – mangiamo – let’s eat!
Irresistible Gnocchi Recipes
While you might be well-versed in different types of pasta, we’re starting our list with an alternative Italian comfort item – gnocchi. Potato Gnocchi are an indulgent and family-friendly dumpling that pair perfectly with a wide variety of thick or thin savoury sauces! If you are intrigued, take a deep dive into our Gnocchi 101 guide, and your mouth will be watering before finishing the first sentence.
Find out how to cook gnocchi in various ways.
Olivieri® offers a variety of options starting with Traditional Potato Gnocchi with a tender and pillowy texture both inside and out. Or, try Skillet Gnocchi with a crispy outer crunch and soft inside. Serve a bit of sophistication that the entire family can enjoy with any one of these comforting recipes:
- Skillet Gnocchi Carbonara
- Bacon Rosé Gnocchi
- Skillet Gnocchi in Olive Oil with Rapini and Pancetta
- Gnocchi Pizza Bites
Bubbly Baked Pasta Dishes
Next, why not let your oven do the heavy lifting for you by baking your pasta dishes to golden bubbly perfection for everything from lasagna to filled cannelloni.
Lasagna with Marinara
Checking all of the boxes of essential comfort food, our Old Fashioned Lasagna is layered with incredible and drool-worthy flavour! Make your homemade classic even better using Olivieri® Fresh Lasagna sheets, ricotta and a rich sauce of marinara sauce combined with extra lean ground beef, vegetables and tomatoes.
Prepped in under 30 minutes, you can make this meal ahead of time and place in the freezer or bake immediately for a delicious and hearty meal. It’s simple, yet classic and sophisticated.
Family-Friendly tip: If you and your family love lasagna, plan a memorable family cooking night and try preparing Lasagna Roll-Ups together for something new!
Cannelloni
Speaking of pasta filled with flavour, when you’re in the mood for something indulgent and delicious, this dish of Stuffed Cannelloni with an incredible chicken and prosciutto filling all coated in a luscious creamy rosé sauce is one to keep on hand.
Family-Friendly Tip: Sneak in a bit of spinach and cheese with these Olivieri® Fresh Ricotta and Spinach Cannelloni or make an even cheesier dish by using larger 4 Formaggi Manicotti instead!
Luxurious Long-Cut Pasta
Perfect for twirling around your fork, there is nothing quite like a heaping plate of warm long-cut pasta when you need a bit of comfort food.
Spaghetti with Meatballs and Marinara
Spaghetti and meatballs are always a winner, but if you’re looking to elevate it just a bit, we’ve got what you need. Try using another thinner long-cut pasta like nested Angel Hair in a rich marinara to complete this Angel Hair and Meatball Marinara recipe. Olivieri® fresh pasta and sauce take care of the flavour to bring you an incredible 3-ingredient meal that is loaded with all kinds of great tastes.
Linguine Alfredo
If you’re in the mood for a plate of creamy white sauce, it might be hard to resist the hearty, long and ribbon-like strands of fresh pasta in a luscious dish of Linguine Alfredo!
Indulgent Stuffed Pasta
With an abundance of different filling flavours, stuffed pasta such as tortellini, ravioli or sacchettini are perfect when served in a hearty broth, smothered in a rich sauce, or simply coated with butter or olive oil.
Soups
A cozy bowl of broth is wonderfully enhanced in this 4-ingredient recipe for Mama’s Tortellini Soup made with spinach, parsley and 3 Formaggi Tortellini.
Skillet Dishes
Toss with a lighter sauce such as Basil and Cheese Pesto for a hearty 15-minute dish of Chicken Pesto with Cheese Tortellini and cherry tomatoes or a dish of Chicken and Bacon Sacchettini.
You can also keep it simple with something like a Brown Butter and Sage Sauce with Butternut Squash Ravioli or offer authentic Italian taste with Beef au jus Ravioli and Marinara Sauce.
Create that warm and cozy sensation with family and friends that comes with Italian comfort food! Experience the joy of an incredible meal with Olivieri® fresh pasta, sauces and gnocchi.