Cooking Italian food recipes: how Italians really cook at home

Italians are famous for their passion. They’re passionate about fashion, art, cars, and of course, food. Many of the best and most famous dishes in the world originated in Italy.  The good news is that you can cook like an Italian. Start by understanding how they cook at home, whether it’s spaghetti or pizza. Then, start cooking Italian food recipes with fresh, authentic ingredients. 

 While you can tweak any recipe to make it your own, you need to remember that many of these recipes have been passed down from generation to generation. You’ll find it hard to improve something like tagliatelle fresh Italian pasta. 

How Italians cook their food at home

 Many Italians still cook at home. The secret to cooking Italian food recipes at home and creating stunning delights is to take your time, use fresh ingredients and be generous with your seasoning. 

The importance of homemade pasta and sauces

 Homemade pasta is fresh, easier to work with, and you can customise your ingredients. Perhaps more importantly, being in complete control of the recipe means you can maximise nutritional benefits and minimise negative health effects. The same is true for homemade pasta sauces. You can control the ingredients and the resulting flavour, ensuring you have a dish that you love. 

In addition, homemade pasta and sauces can be made with friends and family around. This makes it a social occasion. Cooking your Calabrian pasta can help build social connections.

Slow cooking vs. quick meals: when to take your time 

Italian food centres on simplicity and ensuring every dish is light, tasty, and enjoyable. If you’re dealing with a tough cut of meat, the best option is to slow cook. It becomes tender and juicy, making it a delicious Italian recipe. A great example of this is Bolognese. It has beef and pork, which taste fantastic when slow-cooked.  Other slow-cooked dishes include Osso Buco (veal shanks) and Porchetta (pork).

That said, if you’re in a rush, there are plenty of cooking recipes Italian you can turn to. We recommend you choose an authentic premade pasta with sauce. It can be ready in minutes and tastes surprisingly authentic. 

As an example, try the Ciliegino tomato sauce with pasta and ham pieces. It’s simple, quick to make, and still elegant.

Essential techniques in Italian cooking

 When cooking Italian food recipes you need to be aware of the following techniques.

The art of Soffritto: the base of many dishes

 Soffritto is a base mixture which is used in many Italian dishes. It consists of onions, celery, and carrots. They are sauteed together and added to the dish, boosting the flavour. In some cases, it may also have garlic and even tomatoes. The ingredients are always sauteed in olive oil. 

Cooking pasta the Italian way: al dente and well-salted water

 When using cooking recipes Italian style, you need to get the pasta right. You’ve probably heard that Italians like their pasta ‘al-dente’. This means your pasta should be slightly chewy, not soft. If you’re using premade pasta, the cooking time will show on the packet. Stick to this to get the best flavour. To enhance the pasta flavour, Italians always salt the water. It must be done before the pasta is added to the pan. 

Italians generally add 2 teaspoons of salt per litre of water. It’s almost like salt water. Don’t be tempted to salt the pasta afterwards, it won’t taste the same.  In addition, you should never rinse cooked pasta. Doling so removes the starch, which allows the sauce to cling to it. In other words, not rinsing ensures you taste the flavour in every bite. 

Balancing flavours: olive oil, herbs, and Parmigiano Reggiano

Getting the flavour right is integral to perfecting Italian recipes. Every dish needs a drop of olive oil and a sprinkling of Parmigiano Reggiano. Herbs should also be added to give hints of flavour as opposed to overpowering the dish. 

Italians tend to stick to Basil, Sage, Rosemary, and Oregano. Of course, there is room for you to add your own favourite herb. 

Most importantly, you don’t need an excessive amount of sauce. Italians aim to coat every strand of pasta in sauce, no more. It’s this that really balances and enhances the flavours to give you a delicious Italian meal.