50 Traditional Italian Easter Recipes

With one bite of these Italian Easter recipes, you’ll feel like you’re dining on the Amalfi Coast.

And from sweet to savory, they’re sure to wow everyone!

50 BEST Italian Easter Foods

Italians get a lot of things right. I mean, have you ever been to the coast? It’s stunning!

But between all the beaches, views, and architecture, what they really do well is the food.

And these Italian Easter recipes are proof!

Buona Pasqua!  

1. Italian Easter Bread

Not only is this bread recipe delicious, but it’s extremely festive! After all, you can’t get much more Easter-y than dyed eggs, front and center. 

In fact, this whole dessert is a wreath of sweet bread and sprinkles. And in the center of the wreath is a beautifully dyed Easter egg. 

Wanna know the best part? This is a fantastic activity to do with the littles in your life. 

2. Tuscan Style Roast Leg of Lamb

An Easter feast deserves a truly spectacular entree. And this leg of roast lamb is the epitome of spectacular. 

You’ll marinate the lamb in olive oil, rosemary, lemon, and garlic. Then, you roast it.

The result is a perfectly tender, extremely flavorful, totally succulent lamb leg that everyone will love.  

3. Fried Lamb Chops

On the subject of lamb, these fried chops are yet another fantastic Easter entree option.

Granted, these are a more casual choice, but they’re still fabulous.  

Each chop is quickly marinated in egg, garlic, and rosemary before being coated in breadcrumbs.

Then, you’ll fry each one until it’s golden brown. How easy is that?

4. Homemade Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Keep it low-key yet elegant with this flavorful fettuccine alfredo.

I don’t know one single person that doesn’t like Alfredo. So, this is a fantastic choice for your Easter fête.

The noodles are drowning in a rich, creamy, garlicky sauce. Meanwhile, the chicken is pan-seared and juicy.

5. Cacio E Pepe Pie

What’s better than pasta? How about pie? Or how about pasta and pie together? 

I promise it’s not as weird as it sounds. Actually, it’s pretty tasty, and there’s no weirdness at all.

There’s only tender pasta, garlic, eggs, and tons of cheese. 

6. Italian Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

You know that roasted lamb from earlier? Well, this is the perfect side dish.

The potatoes are crispy outside, soft inside, and loaded with flavorful Italian seasoning and Parmesan.

Each bite will send your taste buds soaring.   

7. Easter Pie

This delectable, savory pie is like a quiche on steroids. It’s big, bulky, and bursting with deliciousness.

You start with a delicious homemade pie crust. That’s filled with a literal charcuterie board’s worth of meat and cheese.

It has prosciutto, salami, peperoni, Abruzzese sausage, and soppressata. Then there’s ricotta, mozzarella, romano cheese, and fresh cheese of your choice.  

It’s the perfect dish for an Easter brunch!   

8. Spring Risotto with Asparagus and Peas

This creamy risotto tastes like spring has sprung right on your plate.

The risotto itself is deliciously cheesy and salty. And the spring veggies are gently sautéed to guarantee ultimate freshness.

Every bite is earthy and utterly divine. 

9. Smoked Salmon Crostini

You’ll love this stunning crostini if bagels and lox are your jam.

It’s loaded with a creamy, lemony, dill Greek yogurt sauce. And it’s topped with beautiful slices of smoked salmon.

It’s simple and elegant and out-of-this-world tasty. 

10. Chicken Francese

What could be better than juicy, crispy breaded chicken? Well, how about that same chicken served in a flavorful and rich lemon sauce?

Because that’s exactly what this recipe is. 

And it is fabulous. 

11. Lemon Curd Tart

This delicious dessert is doubly tart.

It’s a tart, but it’s also tart. So, it’s doubly delectable, too! And it’s bursting with bright, lemony goodness. 

Featuring a simple shortcrust pastry shell filled with luscious lemon curd, it’s sunny, zippy, and sure to make your lips pucker,

12. Pumpkin Risotto

In the U.S., we really only enjoy pumpkins during the fall. And we typically only enjoy it in sweet things like pumpkin pie, sweet bread, and spiced lattes. 

That’s not the case for the rest of the world. Instead, the rest of the world treats pumpkin the way the U.S. treats butternut squash – like the vegetable it is. 

Enter this delicious pumpkin risotto. It’s creamy, cheesy, and full of savory pumpkin.

13. Clam Pasta

Typically, I wouldn’t use words like ‘rustic’ and ‘fancy’ to describe the same dish. But that’s precisely what this clam pasta is.

It’s simple and rustic, a total comfort food. 

But the use of clams ultimately elevates this dish. And ingredients like pancetta, garlic, shallots, wine, lemon, and fresh herbs make it even more scrumptious. 

14. Quick Colomba di Pasqua (No-Yeast Italian Easter Cake)

If you want to try your hand at sweet bread, this is the recipe to check out.

I’d say it falls somewhere between bread and cake, more than actual bread. But no matter, because it’s delicious. 

The flavors of almond, lemon, and orange will grace your tongue with every bite. Enjoy it with a cup of coffee before or after your Easter celebration.

15. No-Bake Tiramisu Truffles

These no-bake tiramisu truffles are DANGEROUS.

Well, they’re dangerously divine anyway. You will not be able to stop at just one.

If tiramisu and cake pops had a baby, it’d taste like these truffles. They’re full of bold coffee flavors with the soft, almost chewy texture of cake pops.

They’re awesome.  

16. Italian Green Beans

This is one of the easiest side dishes you will ever make. And it is so, so yummy!

Simply sauté green beans in butter, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs. And…uh…that’s it!

17. Italian Easter Sweet Bread

This simple sweet bread has a delicate orange flavor and a stunning look.

It takes a bit of time to make, as does most bread. So, you’ll probably want to start this the day before your event. 

But people will love its light sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture. 

18. Pizza Rustica

Who doesn’t like a slice of pie? And this recipe takes the pie part of pizza pie seriously.

In fact, it’s nothing at all like what the world has come to know as pizza.

Pizza Rustica is simply another version of the Easter pie from earlier. Only this one uses pizza dough for the crust and hard-boiled eggs.

So it becomes its own delicious thing.  

19. Pizza Gana

And in a similar vein, we have the pizza Gana, a crustless version of the Easter pie from earlier.

It’s a great choice if you have any gluten-free guests joining your table.     

20. Spumoni Cake

A classic Italian-inspired Easter party deserves a classic Italian cake.

Typically, spumoni is an Italian ice cream. But this luxurious and beautiful dessert nods to tradition while doing its own thing. I

t tastes exactly like spumoni… but in cake form. So there are flavors of cherry, pistachio, and vanilla.

Add pistachio and vanilla buttercream, and you’re all set. 

21. Italian Stuffed Shells

As far as Italian-inspired dishes go, you can’t go wrong with stuffed shells.

They’re insanely ooey-gooey, with enough cheese to feed all of Wisconsin. 

Plus, they have an incredible meat and tomato sauce that’s so full of flavor. Everything is baked until golden, bubbly, and mouthwatering. 

22. Lamb Ragu

Ragu is a brand of pasta sauce in the States. But traditionally, it’s just a meat sauce.

For example, the traditional spaghetti bolognese sauce is a type of ragu. 

This delicious version is made with ground lamb, veggies, and stock. And it’s perfect for all kinds of pasta dishes. 

23. Tuna Pesto Crostini

Take a crispy crostini, slather it with fresh pesto, and add a thick slice of mozzarella.

Now, top that with quality tuna and balsamic. Doesn’t that sound good? 

Well, that’s all you need to do to make this delicious appetizer. 

24. Pasta Primavera

In Italian, Primavera means spring. So, it’s the perfect name for this fantastically fresh pasta.

This dish features penne pasta, Parmesan cheese, and a myriad of roasted veggies. 

And you’ll love the bright colors!

25. Easy Italian Baked Fish

Whether you’re a pescatarian or you simply love seafood, this fish dish is delectable.

It’s easy to make, but it’s a showstopper! Oh, and it’s delicious, to boot. 

All you need is your favorite white fish and Italian dressing. Once baked, it’s a lovely light entree, perfect for the Easter table. 

26. Italian Pork Loin Braised in Milk

At first, this recipe may seem a little… er, different. That’s because, for the average cook, milk isn’t the most common braising liquid. 

But when I tell you that this dish is DELICIOUS… I mean it. 

Milk adds flavor, and the lactic acid helps break down the meat. This results in some of the most tender meat you’ll ever eat. 

And in combination with the herbs, spices, pancetta, garlic, and onion, it’s insanely good. 

27. Italian Roasted Mushrooms and Veggies

If you want a quick, tasty, and healthy side dish, look no further.

A mix of mushrooms, cauliflower, tomatoes, and garlic tossed with olive oil, Italian seasonings, salt, and pepper, it’s robust, bright, and zippy.

You’ll roast it all until the veggies are soft, slightly caramelized, and totally scrumptious. 

28. White Chocolate Florentine Cookies

Traditional Florentine cookies are the ultimate caramel cookie experience.

They’re so thin and sugary that they taste like nutty caramel. And they’re almost as chewy. 

You’ll taste orange, almond, and caramelized sugar with every bite. White chocolate rounds out the flavor profile. 

29. Italian Easter Bread

This Italian Easter bread is a savory recipe that closely resembles Easter pie.

The main difference is that this version contains Italian sausage and rice. 

It’s meaty, cheesy, and super duper yummy! 

30. Soft Italian Biscotti

Biscotti is known for its super crunchy texture. It’s literally made for dipping in coffee or hot chocolate.

But this version is meant to be eaten on its own. 

It’s like a soft, iced sugar cookie. It’s dee-licious.

31. Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cacciatore is like a braised chicken stew that fell from food heaven.

It’s succulent, healthy, and comforting. Serve it with mashed potatoes to soak up all the yummy sauce.      

32. Asparagus Ricotta Frittata

A frittata is like a quiche without a crust. And this one boasts delicious, springy asparagus and rich ricotta.  

Best served warm with a side salad, it’s a terrific light Easter lunch option.

33. Polenta Bites with Ricotta and Shaved Asparagus

Polenta is a staple in Italian cooking.

It’s almost like a dense cornbread. And this version features baked polenta rounds topped with a delicious ricotta sauce.

You can use tube polenta here, but you’ll need to season it very well.

Either way, finish each round with ribbons of asparagus for a pop of freshness and watch them disappear.

34. Neapolitan Ricotta and Pasta Pie

This traditional Easter pie is made with tagliolini noodles, ricotta, and eggs. However, you may be surprised to discover that this is actually a sweet dish. 

It’s flavored with sugar, citrus, and cinnamon. YUMMO!

35. Italian Shrimp Pasta

This delicious pasta features shrimp sautéed in oil and Italian seasonings. Since it’s Italian, pasta is a must.

That said, it’ll taste pretty spectacular with roasted potatoes or salad.

36. Italian Fresh Herb Baked Fish and Chips

Classic fish and chips are a deep-fried street food favorite. In this lighter version, you bake both the fish and potatoes. 

Each bite is seasoned with fresh Italian herbs. And it’s just what your Easter table needs!

37. Classic Italian Bruschetta

Classic bruschetta features a crusty crostini with stuff on top. 

Arguably, the most common variety features fresh tomatoes with olive oil, basil, and garlic. 

And that’s what you’ll find with this recipe. But it’s kicked up a notch with Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar.

38. Italian Easter Cookies

These little lemon shortbread cookies are to die for!

They’re soft, sweet, and totally addictive. Plus, they’re covered in colorful sprinkles. 

You can’t get more festive than that!

39. Italian Butterscotch Pudding

This rich, caramelly, and custard-like butterscotch pudding is the definition of luxury.

Serve it in mini pots with extra sauce and a sprinkle of sea salt. They’re so adorable!

40. Pasta e Fagioli 

Chicken noodle soup, who?

Pasta e fagioli is the ultimate noodle soup, in my opinion. It’s loaded with veggies and flavorful things like wine and pancetta. 

It’s like a warm hug in a bowl. 

41. Authentic Italian Lentil Soup

This one is for the vegans out there! I have not forgotten you.

This soup is so hearty and delicious. It’s also relatively healthy, thanks to the myriad of veggies like tomatoes, carrots, onions, and kale.

Plus, the lentils add protein and starch to “beef up” the soup. 

You can even make it in the slow cooker! So that’s a double win in my book.     

42. Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake

If you take a cheesecake and the next recipe and mash them together, you’ll make this.

It’s dense, creamy, and deliciously lemony.

The ricotta is such a stunning addition. Seriously, this one is impossible to resist.

43. Easter Ricotta Pie

If you like cheesecake, you must try this ricotta pie!

It’s lighter than cheesecake, but it’s just as delicious. And it’s super citrusy.

But it’s extra special because of the candied orange peel and chocolate you’ll find throughout. 

44. Fluffy Strata

This delicious strata is a fabulous choice for Easter brunch.

It’s like the love child of egg-bake and bread pudding. So every bite is soft, eggy, meaty, and cheesy. 

Oh, and there’s plenty of veggies, too. It’s delicious!

45. Spinach Ricotta Cannelloni 

Cannelloni is one of my favorite kinds of pasta.

These dishes are so versatile, but they always have one thing in common – they’re chock full of cheesy goodness.

And this one is no exception! It features a creamy and robust spinach and ricotta mixture.

It also has a creamy white bechamel sauce. It’s so silky, you could bathe in it. 

46. Arancini Rice Balls

Arancini are the perfect snack.

I’d categorize them somewhere between fair food and dinner. But there’s no doubt these little croquette-like balls are delicious. 

Each one is made with a mix of risotto-soft rice, ham, and peas. Plus herbs and seasonings.

Then they’re stuffed with mozzarella cheese and deep-fried to perfection.

47. Caprese Salad

You can’t go wrong with a Caprese salad.

It consists of slices of tomato, thick, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Everything is drizzled with olive oil, balsamic vinegar reduction, salt, and pepper. 

It couldn’t be easier. And it’s sure to be a hit! 

48. Ricotta Pie

This ricotta pie features a delicious pastry crust scented with lemon. And the filling is lemony, too! 

It’s a simple mixture of ricotta cheese, lemon juice, zest, sugar, and eggs. Everything is baked until golden and perfect. 

49. Italian Easter Cookies

If you want a festive little treat, these Italian Easter cookies are the way to go.

You might recognize them as Italian Wedding Cookies. But they’re served at all kinds of celebrations.

They’re rounded shortbread cookies with a big, bold flavor, topped with a simple, sweet glaze and sprinkles.

Traditionally, they taste like anise (licorice), but this version is almond.

50. Italian Lamb Lasagna

I’ll bet you’ve never had lasagna THIS good.

The recipe is fairly simple, but the flavors are incredibly, deliciously complex. You may never go back to regular lasagna again. 

You start with a chunky lamb and tomato ragu that’s rich and full of flavor.  

Layer that with creamy bechamel sauce and lasagna noodles, and top everything with more bechamel and Parmesan.

Bake it until it’s golden and bubbly, then dig in!