5 Italian Traditional Dishes You Cannot Miss During Your Trip!

November 14, 2024 5 min read.

There are many reasons to visit Italy: from its wonderful and historic cities like Rome, Venice or Florence, to the numerous World Heritage Sites that exist in the country, it is definitely one of the most preferred destinations for travelers.

When we talk about Italy, we cannot encompass everything in a single word. The country has been the fundamental base of the world in which we live today, and throughout history various cultures have emerged from Italian lands. Renaissance, art and numerous cultural movements make Italy a country rich in traditions.

Clearly Italy is also known for something else: its authentic cuisine. Pasta has been internationalized and has reached almost every corner of the world in different ways and by mixing different ingredients to obtain incomparable flavors. That is why many travelers choose Italy as a destination to be able to taste the divine dishes that this gastronomy offers.

If this is your case, we leave you here five traditional dishes that will make an explosion of flavors in your mouth when you try them:

Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e pepe is a traditional Italian pasta dish made with spaghetti, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper. "Cacio" is the Italian word for cheese, and "Pepe" is the Italian word for pepper.

To prepare the dish, pasta is cooked until al dente and then combined with a sauce made by emulsifying cheese and pepper with the pasta cooking water. The pasta is then topped with more grated cheese and pepper. Cacio e pepe is a simple but exquisitely popular dish in Rome, spreading throughout Italy.

Ossobuco

Ossobuco is a braised beef dish popular in Italy, particularly in Milan. "Osobuco" translates to "bone with a hole," referring to the marrow hole in the center of the cross-sectioned leg of beef.

Ossobuco is made by browning beef thighs and then cooking in white wine, vegetables, and seasonings until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. The dish is often served with risotto alla Milanese, a creamy, saffron-flavored rice dish. This is a traditional Italian dish that is served on special occasions or in fancy restaurants.

Lasagna

Most likely you have tried this dish, but in Italy you will definitely get the best lasagna. Lasagna is a type of pasta dish that consists of layers of wide, flat noodles, meat or vegetables, cheese, and tomato or cream sauce. The noodles are usually cooked al dente and then assembled with the other ingredients in a baking dish. The dish is baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the noodles are tender.

Lasagna is a popular dish enjoyed in many countries around the world. It is a traditional Italian dish that is often served at family gatherings and special occasions. There are many variations of lasagna, including meat lasagna, vegetarian lasagna based on eggplant or other ingredients, and seafood lasagna.

Trapizzino

If you want to taste authentic Roman street food, the Trapizzino, is a delicious bite consisting of a triangular pocket of pizza bianca (white pizza) stuffed with a variety of savory toppings. White pizza is made with flour, water, salt and olive oil, and baked in a wood-fired oven. The fillings for a Trapizzino can vary, but often include traditional Italian ingredients like braised meats, vegetables, chicken, peppers, and cheese.

Trapizzinos are usually served hot and are meant to be eaten as a snack on the go. They have gained popularity in recent years and can now be found in specialty stores and food markets in Rome and other cities in Italy. A delight that you cannot miss!.

Tiramisu

The authentic Italian dessert that you must try… in Italy. This popular dessert consists of layers of gingerbreads (a type of sponge cake) soaked in espresso and liquor, and mascarpone cheese, which is a sweet, creamy cheese made from cow's milk. The layers are usually refrigerated until the dessert is firm, then dusted with cocoa powder before serving.

Tiramisu is a rich, creamy dessert with a strong coffee flavor and a light, delicate texture. It is a traditional Italian dessert that is enjoyed in many countries around the world. The name "tiramisu" means "pick me up" in Italian, and is said to have been invented in the 1960s in the Veneto region of northern Italy.

These are undoubtedly just some of the dishes you must try in Italy. The traditional pizzas and pastas are unmissable, and you will have an almost infinite number of options to taste.