Don’t limit Yourself at Pizza: Explore 18 Best Italian Foods
We all love Italian pizza varieties, right?
But Italian food is so much more than just tomato sauce and mozzarella on dough. From velvety pastas and golden-fried bites to succulent seafood and bold meaty mains. There’s a whole world of Italian dishes waiting to win over your taste buds.
Let’s take you through a ride of flavours with our best meals from Italy picked by chiefs of Salute Function Centre. You can also taste them out these & more right here in Perth. Just check our menu of Italian delicacies crafted by Chef Squillace. No passport needed.
Treat Your Taste Buds with 18 Best Italian Dishes
Italian food is a sensory experience. From the fragrance of simmering sauce to the first bite of creamy pasta. Here are some suggestions from our veteran Italian chefs. Give them a try and thanks us later.
1. Bucatini
Bucatini, a thick spaghetti with a hollow centre, comes straight from Lazio, Italy. Its name stems from “buco,” meaning hole, a nod to the pasta’s straw-like design. It’s a staple dish that pays tribute to Italy’s pastoral traditions.
What’s in it
The sauce is a beautiful mix of guanciale (pork cheek), tomato, and pecorino romano. It’s rich, salty, slightly spicy, and with deep flavours.
Best Pairings
Serve it with crusty bread and a full-bodied Italian red like Montepulciano. It’s a delicious introduction to common Italian dishes.
2. Lasagna al Forno
Lasagna is one of the oldest types of Italian foods, with roots in Ancient Greece. But it was in Bologna that the dish truly evolved into the meat-and-cheese masterpiece we love today.
What’s in it
Multiple layers of pasta sheets, ragù (beef and pork slow-cooked in tomato sauce), creamy béchamel, and parmesan cheese. All baked until bubbling and golden with right balance of crisp & melt.
Best Pairings
This heavy hitter loves a robust wine like Chianti or Sangiovese. Pair it with a light side salad dressed in balsamic vinegar for contrast.
3. Arancini: Sicily’s Golden Treasures
These deep-fried rice balls have been enjoyed since the 10th century and are said to have originated in Palermo. They were a practical way to carry food on long trips.
What’s in it
Creamy risotto rice, stuffed with ragu, mozzarella, or peas, then breaded and fried to crispy perfection. The result is crunchy outside, gooey inside to take your tastebuds on a comforting ride.
Best Pairings
Best enjoyed with a zesty Pinot Grigio or Prosecco. Perfect as a party appetiser at events or in multiple course meals.
4. Spaghetti alle Vongole
This coastal favourite take-off from Naples and land directly into your plate. It showcases the elegance of minimal ingredients done right. A hit in many Italian cuisine dishes.
What’s in it
Spaghetti, fresh clams, garlic, olive oil, chilli flakes, parsley, and a touch of white wine.
Best Pairings
Serve with a cold glass of Vermentino and lemon wedges. This dish captures the light, breezy flavours of southern Italy foods.
5. Melanzane alla Parmigiana
This southern Italian staple became a culinary icon in Naples and Sicily. It’s comfort food at its best without too much spice or heaviness. Veggie lovers listen out! It’s gonna be your next favourite.
What’s in it
Layers of fried eggplant, tomato sauce, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese. Everything baked together until melty and golden.
Best Pairings
Enjoy it with a smooth Barbera or Nebbiolo and a side of garlic bread. A brilliant vegetarian option among Italian food dishes.
6. Calamarata Dry Pasta
Named for its ring shape that looks like calamari. Calamarata is a Neapolitan pasta designed to complement seafood.
What’s in it
Ring-shaped pasta tossed with tender calamari, garlic, tomato, and chilli. A dish that’s both hearty and fresh.
Best Pairings
Pair with chilled Falanghina to balance its bold flavour profile. A wonderful choice for summer feasts and seaside vibes.
7. Ravioli Stuffed Pasta
These filled pasta squares date back to 14th-century Italy. Got its name from Italian word “riavvolgere,” meaning “to wrap,”, as the dish does. It was once a special Sunday treat in Italian homes using leftover ingredients.
What’s in it
Stuffed with ricotta, spinach, meat, or mushrooms. Dressed in sage butter, tomato sauce, or cream.
Best Pairings
Dolcetto wine brings out the flavours beautifully. This dish is a top hit at weddings and private dinners.
8. Fritto Misto
Literally meaning “mixed fry,” this dish is a mashup of all the sea flavours. It celebrates the variety & abundance of Italy’s coastal regions.
What’s in it
An assortment of seafood like shrimp, squid, whitebait. Lightly floured and deep-fried until golden.
Best Pairings
Prosecco or a cold Peroni makes the perfect combo. Serve with lemon wedges and aioli.
9. Vitello Tonnato
This elegant dish from Piedmont mixes land and sea, showing how innovative Italian gastronomy can be.
What’s in it
Thin veal slices served cold with a creamy tuna, anchovy, and caper sauce.
Best Pairings
Serve with chilled Gavi or Soave. It’s a fantastic summer starter.
10. Bistecca alla Fiorentina
This T-bone steak from Florence is a carnivore’s dream and a hallmark of Italian cuisine. If you’re a meat lover, try one bite and we guarantee there’s no going back.
What’s in it
Thick-cut beef, grilled rare over charcoal and simply seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Best Pairings
Brunello di Montalcino is your best wine friend here. Pair it with classic red wine as vintage as you can find. And boom! A perfect evening for meat lovers.
11. Gnocchi: Soft Potato Clouds
Derived from ancient Roman dumplings, with the Italian culinary tradition mixed in it. Earlier versions had bread crumbs. But today’s gnocchi use potatoes for pillowy softness since the entry of potato in Europe.
What’s in it
Mashed potato, flour, and egg. Served with tomato sauce, pesto, or brown butter.
Best Pairings
Pair it with light reds like Pinot Noir or a sage butter sauce with parmesan. Enjoy the comfort in every bite.
12. Galletto alla Calabrese
This spicy roast chicken dish from Calabria is bold, rustic, and full of southern charm. Some versions have rabbit meat instead of chicken.
What’s in it
Marinated young chicken in chilli, garlic, oregano, and lemon. Grilled to juicy perfection.
Best Pairings
Nero d’Avola wine matches the spice. Add grilled veggies or roast potatoes on the side.
13. Polpette di Carne
Unlike their American counterparts, Italian food meatballs are served on their own or with sauce, never on spaghetti. They’re a staple in many family kitchens across southern Italy.
What’s in it
Ground beef or pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, parmesan, garlic, and herbs. Rolled, pan-fried, and simmered in rich tomato sauce.
Best Pairings
Serve them with crusty bread or polenta and a bold red like Primitivo. These are comfort food royalty among common Italian dishes.
14. Polipo Grigliato
A coastal classic, grilled octopus is popular all across Mediterranean Italy. Particularly in the south. A must-try for all sea-food lovers.
What’s in it
Tender octopus, marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, then grilled for a charred finish.
Best Pairings
Pair it with a dry white like Verdicchio and a side of potato salad. It’s a fresh bite of Italian gastronomy straight from the sea.
15. Involtini di Melanzane
This dish takes inspiration from southern Italian homes where aubergine (eggplant) is the star. It is a staple due to its quick & easy to pull recipe.
What’s in it
Thin eggplant slices are grilled or fried, filled with ricotta or mozzarella. Then rolled and baked with tomato sauce.
Best Pairings
A glass of Lambrusco and a rocket salad on the side make it pop. A top vegetarian pick among Italy foods.
16. Saltimbocca alla Romana
Hailing from Rome, this dish’s name literally means “jumps in the mouth.” And yes, it’s that good!
What’s in it
Veal cutlets topped with prosciutto and sage, lightly floured, and pan-fried in white wine and butter.
Best Pairings
Best with a light red like Chianti Classico or Pinot Nero. It’s a delicious mix of savoury, salty, and delicate flavours.
17. Carpaccio di Manzo
Invented in Venice in the 1950s, this dish is one of the best Italian recipes. Named after painter Vittore Carpaccio for its colour contrast.
What’s in it
Paper-thin raw beef, dressed with olive oil, lemon juice, capers, and shaved parmesan.
Best Pairings
Pair with sparkling wine or a crisp white like Lugana. It’s a classy starter often served at high-end gatherings.
18. Insalata Caprese
Born on the island of Capri, this salad is a celebration of Italy’s freshest ingredients.
What’s in it
Slices of fresh tomato, mozzarella, and basil, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
Best Pairings
A chilled glass of Frascati or mineral water and crusty bread. It’s light, refreshing, and beautiful in presentation, perfect for summer events.
Craving Authentic Italian Food for Your Next Event?
Book Your Celebration at Salute Function Centre
If you’re planning a wedding, birthday, corporate function, or festive gathering. Salute Function Centre in Perth is where Italian food meets elegant celebration.
Chef Squillace and our team bring genuine Italian cuisine to fill your taste buds. With our free event coordination, a stylish setting, and over 200 free parking spaces. Your special occasion is bound to be stress-free and unforgettable.
Let us help you turn your event into a feast of flavour and memories.
