Home Recipes Cuisines European Italian
Aly ProutyUpdated: Jan. 05, 2022
Recreate Little Italy without having to leave home! From chicken parmesan to tiramisu, steamed mussels and bruschetta, these copycat recipes are perfect for those who can't get enough Maggiano's.
1/28
Inspired by: Chicken Parmesan
I love making this satisfying dish—it’s easy and elegant, and the slow cooker minimizes my time in the kitchen. I make this during football season too. For game days, I skip the pasta and serve the chicken on submarine rolls with a bit of the sauce and some chopped lettuce. It’s also good cut in half and served on smaller buns as sliders. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Get Our Recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan
2/28
Inspired by: Stuffed Mushrooms
I use a melon baller to hollow out the mushroom caps and make them easier to stuff. The apps fit neatly into muffin tins or a deviled egg tray for traveling. —Ashley Pierce, Brantford, Ontario
Get Our Recipe for Spinach Dip-Stuffed Mushrooms
3/28
Inspired by: New York Style Cheesecake
This creamy cheesecake is a family tradition; I've even shipped it to my daughter as a special treat. Using frozen seasonal berries, it's an excellent dessert any time of year. —Jeanette Volker, Walton, Nebraska
Get Our Recipe for Cheesecake with Berry Sauce
4/28
Inspired by: Beef Tenderloin Medallions
When our kids are visiting Grandma, I make this recipe for just my husband and myself. It's a recipe my mother-in-law has been using for more than 30 years. I especially look forward to preparing it as part of a special Valentine's Day menu. —Denise McNab, Warminster, Pennsylvania
Get Our Recipe for Beef Tenderloin in Mushroom Sauce
5/28
Inspired by: Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These creamy potatoes get their flavor burst from garlic and caramelized onions. Their savory goodness makes any meal better. —Richard Markle, Midlothian, Texas
Get Our Recipe for Texas Garlic Mashed Potatoes
6/28
Inspired by: Maggiano's Johnny's Carbonara
I learned on my culinary internship in Tuscany that real Italian cuisine is simpler than you think! This carbonara is quick, simple and delicious, just the way they like it in Italy. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
7/28
Inspired by: Italian Beef Bruschetta
8/28
Inspired by: Shrimp Scampi
A touch more lemon helped me trim the calories in our favorite shrimp scampi recipe. For those who want to indulge, pass around the Parmesan. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
9/28
Inspired by: Tiramisu
This variation of the popular Italian dessert is so easy to assemble. It's convenient, too, since you can make it the day before your dinner party or potluck. —Linda Finn, Louisville, Mississippi
Get Our Recipe for Make-Ahead Tiramisu
10/28
Inspired by: Spaghetti Marinara
One of my favorite childhood memories is going to the Old Spaghetti Factory with my family and ordering a big plate of cheesy spaghetti, meatballs and garlic bread. My homemade recipe reminds me of those fun times and satisfies everyone's craving for good Italian food. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona
11/28
Inspired by: Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes
Ready-to-go crabmeat makes these delicate patties easier than other crab cake recipes. You can also form the crab mixture into four thick patties instead of eight crab cakes. —Charlene Spelock, Apollo, Pennsylvania
Get Our Recipe for Easy Crab Cakes
12/28
Pepper and nutmeg spice up the rich sauce in this hearty chicken and spinach manicotti. I made this for my boyfriend on our first Valentine’s Day. It was a big success—now we're married! —Amy Luce, Dallas, Texas
Get Our Recipe for Spinach Chicken Manicotti
13/28
Inspired by: Warm Apple Crostada
I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana
Get Our Recipe for Apple Dumpling Bake
14/28
Inspired by: Chicken Francese
I grew up on this tender, lemony chicken Francese recipe that's a classic in Italian cooking. It's delicious as is, but we sometimes add sauteed mushrooms. Serve it with pasta or crusty bread to mop up all that delicious pan sauce. —Joe Losardo, New York, New York
Get Our Recipe for Chicken Francese
15/28
Serve this delectable clam sauce as a hot dip for holiday get-togethers. The sauce is bright and fresh with pasta, too. —Frances Pietsch, Flower Mound, Texas
Get Our Recipe for Slow Cooker Clam Sauce
16/28
Inspired by: Eggplant Parmesan
Because my recipe calls for baking the eggplant instead of frying it, it’s much healthier than other parmesans! The prep time is a little longer than for some recipes, but the Italian flavors and rustic elegance are well worth it. —Laci Hooten, McKinney, Texas
Get Our Recipe for Contest-Winning Eggplant Parmesan
17/28
Inspired by: Mushroom Ravioli al Forno
My friend and I enjoy mushroom hunting. The exercise and fresh air, along with the beauty of the outdoors is invigorating. I came up with this recipe to use up the bounty of our harvest. The dish is easy, yet elegant. It's absolutely delicious. —Kelly Knoblock, Emmett, Idaho
Get Our Recipe for Morel Mushroom Ravioli
18/28
Inspired by: Chicken Piccata
Laced with lemon and simmered in white wine, this stovetop entree is super easy and elegant. Just add a side of veggies and bread to make it into a wonderful meal. —Cynthia Heil, Augusta, Georgia
Get Our Recipe for Quick Chicken Piccata
19/28
Inspired by: Tomato Caprese
My husband and I love Caprese salad, but not the high prices we pay for it in restaurants. Here, we created our own version which tastes incredibly close, if not better, than any restaurant version we've tried. —Melissa Pearson, Sandy, Utah
Get Our Recipe for Caprese Salad
20/28
Inspired by: Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia
So much flavor…so few ingredients! A quick and easy crumb coating makes this yummy tilapia recipe ideal for busy weeknights. Try the breading on cod for a change of pace. —Brandi Castillo, Santa Maria, California
Get Our Recipe for Breaded Baked Tilapia
21/28
Inspired by: Gnocchi & Italian Sausage
22/28
Inspired by: Prince Edward Island Steamed Mussels
Use the French bread to soak up the deliciously seasoned broth. If you like food zippy, add the jalapeno seeds. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Get Our Recipe for Steamed Mussels with Peppers
23/28
Inspired by: Mom's Lasagna
My family first tasted this rich, homemade lasagna recipe at a friend's home on Christmas Eve. We were so impressed that it became our own holiday tradition as well. I also prepare it other times of the year. This classic lasagna recipe is requested often by my sister's Italian in-laws—I consider that the highest compliment! —Lorri Foockle, Granville, Illinois
Get Our Recipe for Traditional Lasagna
24/28
This tender and flaky fish is wonderful to serve to family and friends. A savory marinade that includes dill gives the salmon mouthwatering flavor and since it can be grilled or broiled, you can enjoy it all year round! —Aelita Kivirist, Glenview, Illinois
Get Our Recipe for Lemon Grilled Salmon
25/28
Inspired by: Chicken Marsala
This is one of my favorite dishes to order in restaurants, so I created a version that I could make in a flash on a weeknight at home. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Get Our Recipe for Speedy Chicken Marsala
26/28
Inspired by: Tomato Bruschetta
Dijon mustard, mayonnaise and oregano make a savory spread for chopped tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil in this fun twist on a favorite appetizer. This grilled bruschetta gets rave reviews every time I serve it. —Mary Nafis, Chino, California
Get Our Recipe for Bruschetta from the Grill
27/28
Inspired by: Gigi's Butter Cake
I found this Kentucky butter cake recipe in an old cookbook I bought at a garage sale and couldn’t wait to try it. I knew it had been someone’s favorite because of the well-worn page. —Joan Gertz, Palmetto, Florida
Try Our Recipe for Blue-Ribbon Butter Cake
28/28
Inspired by: Meatball Sandwich
As either a hearty party sandwich or a filling lunch or dinner, this sub will rise to the top of your list of favorites. It's also a perfect contribution to a potluck...but don't expect to have any leftovers! —Deana Paul, San Dimas, California
Get Our Recipe for Giant Meatball Sub
Originally Published: July 25, 2018