A collection of recipes of traditional Italian first courses, including Minestrone, Risottos, Fresh Egg Pasta, Gnocchi, Pesto Sauce, and more.

Tuscan bean and farro soup (zuppa di farro)

This bean and spelt soup hails from the Lucca region of Tuscany, known for its hearty, honest cuisine. Rich in legumes and grains, it’s a rustic, comforting dish made with farro, borlotti beans, and good olive oil. Creamy and nourishing, this traditional Luccan soup is perfect for cozy winter dinners.

Creamy fennel and saffron soup

A silky Tuscan soup of browned fennel and saffron, light and golden, made with just a handful of ingredients. An elegant first course for autumn.

Lemon pasta sauce: zesty, buttery and ready in 25 minutes

Pasta with fresh arugula pesto

Arugula pesto: a fresh, peppery pasta sauce in 10 minutes

Homemade trofie pasta twists

How to make trofie: hand-rolled eggless pasta twists from Liguria

Make trofie at home: short, twisted Ligurian pasta made with just flour and water, shaped around a wooden skewer for easy results. Perfect with pesto.
Bowl of creamy artichoke soup topped with toasted nuts

Creamy artichoke soup with potato and toasted hazelnuts

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This is an adapted version of a traditional Jewish-Italian Purim dish.
Buckwheat crepes with squash and chestnuts

Buckwheat crespelle with squash, chestnuts and ricotta

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This warming fall recipe combines the sweetness of chestnuts, leek and squash with the nutty taste of buckwheat.
Buckwheat crepes with ricotta and spinach

Buckwheat crespelle with ricotta and spinach

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These delicious crepes are a great alternative to pasta. You can make them hours in advance and assemble them just before warming and serving.
Pasta with asparagus and sausage

Asparagus and sausage pasta sauce

A quick spring pasta sauce of asparagus and Italian sausage, made creamy by blending part of the asparagus with olive oil. No cream needed. Ready in 30 minutes.

Pici all’aglione: hand-rolled Tuscan pasta with garlic tomato sauce

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This is a classic Sienese pasta dish: hand-rolled pasta with a tomato and garlic sauce.