Lidia Bastianich Recipes & Blogs

Dessert

Chocolate Anise Biscotti (Biscotti al Cioccolato con Anice)

Sometimes that after dinner coffee just needs an accompaniment, and what could be a more perfect finish to a meal than these chocolatey…

Entree

Italian-American Lasagna

I am always telling you not to add oil to the water when you cook pasta because it will reduce the adherence of sauce to the pasta. Cooking…

Entree

Spaghetti with Calamari, Scallops, and Shrimp (Spaghetti di Tornola)

Just about every region that is touching the sea in Italy (fifteen out of twenty regions!) has a rendition of a seafood sauce to dress a…

Appetizer

Shrimp in a Chunky Marinara Sauce (Gamberi Alla Marinara)

This dish is excellent served as a main course or as a dressing for pasta. (Toss the pasta with the sauce and top the plates with shrimp.)…

Entree

Ziti with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage (Ziti con Broccoli di Rape e Salsicce)

Broccoli rabe and sausage seem like a match made in heaven. They go well together with pasta or on a loaf of Italian bread. The broccoli…

Dessert

Panna Cotta with Fresh Berries

This dessert might look fancy, but it's easy to make and absolutely delicious!

Appetizer

Roasted Pepper Halves with Bread Crumb Topping - Peperoni Arrostiti

I've updated this classic a little by using fresh thyme. If you like, you can substitute, or add, dried oregano. Chopped anchovies make a…

Salad

Tomato and Bread Salad - Panzanella

Both refreshing and substantial, this salad delivers a wallop of flavor. Best of all, a lot of the ingredients can come straight from the…

Salad

Caesar Salad - Insalata alla Cesare

This is not an Italian salad at all. You would not find it in Italy, but nonetheless it is a salad that was very popular in Italian…

Entree

Manicotti

If you choose to make the manicotti with pasta squares, fill and roll them on a damp towel—it will make them easier to handle. For a…

Entree

Filet Mignon Italian Style with Balsamic Reduction

Filetto, or filet mignon, is one of the most voluptuous of all beef cuts, and because of its popularity and ease of preparation, there are…

Dessert

Zabaglione

This Zabaglione recipe appears in Lidia Bastianich's special, Lidia Celebrates America. It also appears in the Lidia’s Italian American…

Side Dish

Creamy Rice with "Piglet" Mushrooms

This Risotto recipe appears in Lidia Bastianich's special, Lidia Celebrates America. It also appears in the La Cucina Di Lidia cookbook.

Side Dish

Sweet Potatoes and Lima Beans

For more recipes like this, check out Padma Lakshmi's cookbook, "Tangy Tart Hot and Sweet: A World of Recipes for Every Day."

Appetizer

Meatballs

Everybody loves meatballs. I think meatballs are an example of Americana and they belong on the American table. This is a great and simple…

Side Dish

Marinated Winter Squash

Squash is becoming ever more popular, and I love cooking with it and its fabulous flavor as well. This is a great side dish or appetizer—…