TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Italian Foods
Italy’s most emblematic culinary creation, the genuine pizza Napoletana is made with just a few simple ingredients and prepared in only two variations – marinara, the basic Neapolitan pizza topped with a tomato-based sauce flavored with garlic and oregano, and margherita, which is topped with tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves, a delicious combination whose colors are said to represent the Italian flag.
The crust is very thin at the base, and the dough puffs up on the sides, which results in airy crust that should have typical charred 'leopard spots' if baked properly. The origins of this iconic Neapolitan dish can be traced to the early 1700s, when what we know today as pizza marinara was first described by Italian chef, writer, and philosopher Vincenzo Corrado in his treatise on the eating habits of the people of Naples.
MOST ICONIC Pizza Napoletana
View morePasta 'ncasciata is a traditional pasta dish originating from Sicily. In order to prepare it, pasta such as penne or rigatoni is cooked in boiling water, then strained and mixed with a rich tomato sauce (in Palermo) or a beef ragu (in Messina), cubes of fried eggplant, pieces of cheese such as caciocavallo or mozzarella, and bechamel sauce.
The combination is placed in a springform cake tin, sprinkled with breadcrumbs, then baked until the filling becomes hot. The dish is inverted from the mold and served warm. It's recommended to pair it with a glass of red wine such as Nero d'Avola or Frappato.
Serve with
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Pasta al forno
Burrata, literary meaning buttered, is an artisan cheese from the Puglia region of Southern Italy, especially the provinces of Bari and Barletta-Andria-Trani. The cheese is made by hand with cow's milk, rennet, and cream. It is believed that the cheese was created by Lorenzo Bianchino Chieppa, a cheesemaker who had an idea to form a shell of stretched mozzarella strings and fill it with luscious, rich cream and smaller, leftover pieces of mozzarella.
The result was a true delicacy with the creamiest interior and a rich flavor of fresh milk, which very quickly became extremely popular. Burrata should be eaten as fresh as possible - ideally within 24 hours of being made. It can be served alone, seasoned only with some salt, pepper, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, but it is also delicious when accompanied by fresh tomatoes and prosciutto crudo, or when used as a topping for pizzas or bruschettas.
Pair with
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Mozzarella
Carefully crafted with the same diligent care since the Roman times, Prosciutto di Parma is a true masterwork of time and tradition, and a gold standard of Italian prosciutto. The pigs of the Large White, Landrace and Duroc breed used in the production of this ham must also meet high quality standards, be bred in one of 10 northern and central Italian regions and fed a diet of grains, cereals and whey of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, which contributes to the complex taste of the meat.
Apart from the characteristic microclimate of the Parma region, which is ideal for the drying of prosciutto, a vital part of the curing process is salting. The expert Maestro Salatore (salt master) measures the minimum amount of sea salt required to preserve the meat.
Produced in the hilly area around the town of San Daniele in the province of Udine, Prosciutto di San Daniele is even sweeter and darker in color with a more delicate flavor than in other varieties. In the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, where the winds from the Carnic Alps meet the breezes coming in from the Adriatic, Prosciutto di San Daniele is made using only local sea salt.
The curing process here differs a little from other regions since San Daniele hams are stacked on top of each other and left to mature for at least 13 months. Up until recently, only large pig breeds such as Landrace, Large White and Duroc were used for ham production, however due to an increase in demand, San Daniele hams can now be made with other local breeds.
Produced exclusively on the island of Sardinia, Pecorino Sardo is a semi-cooked, hard cheese made with whole milk from the pasture-grazing Sarda sheep. This breed is indigenous to Sardinia, raised throughout Italy and considered to be among the best domestic breeds for milk production.
Highly adaptable to different terrains, Sarda sheep feed on fragrant Mediterranean shrubs, which gives Pecorino its distinctive aromatic flavor. It is available in two varieties: Pecorino Sardo Dolce (mild), a sweet and more delicate version, and Pecorino Sardo Maturo (mature), a much stronger flavored cheese that's matured for at least 2 months and pleasantly piquant.
Pair with
Known as crème de la crème of Italian hams, with a tradition dating back to the 14th century, Culatello di Zibello is one of the most prized products of Parma nowadays made only with pigs raised in the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Lombardia.
Culatello is tender, rich in flavor and has a refined, winey taste. It is one of the leaner forms of cured pork, cut from the best part of the whole fresh ham, and cured with a mixture of salt, pepper, garlic and dry white wine. Since it is stuffed in a natural casing, most often a pig's bladder, and tied with twine, Culatello is sometimes classified as a type of salami.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
I bigoli con l'anatra, locally known as bigoi co' l'arna, is a traditional dish that originated in the city of Thiene, but over time it became very popular throughout the province of Vicenza. Bigoli is a thick, egg-based pasta variety whose size and texture make the perfect match for a rich duck ragú made with onions, carrots, celery, bay leaves, sage, and dry white wine.
Originally, this dish used to be prepared with cleaned offals and duck fat, while duck meat was either used in other recipes or preserved in fat. Nowadays, only the best parts of meat and livers are used, while duck fat is substituted with butter and olive oil - the result is an equally delicious, yet much lighter dish.
MOST ICONIC Bigoli con l'anatra
MAIN INGREDIENTS
The carbonara we know today is prepared by simply tossing spaghetti with guanciale (cured pork jowl), egg yolks, and Pecorino Romano cheese. Despite its simplicity, this dish remains one of Rome's favorites, equally popular throughout the country.
Even though carbonara is considered a typical Roman dish today, its origins are quite vague and often disputed. The name is said to have been derived from the carbonari, woodcutters and charcoal-makers who lived in the Appenine mountains northeast of Rome, and who supposedly cooked their pasta over a hardwood charcoal fire and tossed it with eggs and cheese.
MOST ICONIC Carbonara
View moreTagliatelle al ragù alla Bolognese is a traditional dish originating from Bologna, consisting of tagliatelle pasta and a rich ragù made with a mixture of minced beef and pork, and tomatoes as key ingredients. Even though they are often thought to be synonymous, tagliatelle al ragù—one of Bologna's signature dishes—bears little or no resemblance to the dish known as spaghetti Bolognese in the rest of the world.
In fact, the world famous Italian ragù alla Bolognese meat sauce is never served with spaghetti in Bologna. Instead, when it isn't served over fresh tagliatelle, you will most often find it topping a bed of some other other ribbon-like pasta, such as fettuccine or pappardelle.
MOST ICONIC Tagliatelle al ragù alla Bolognese
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Italian Food Producers
Pastificio dei Campi is a renowned pasta producer from Gragnano, Italy, with a rich tradition of crafting high-quality pasta. Founded in 2007 by Giuseppe and Giovanna Di Martino, the company is dedicated to preserving the ancient art of pasta-making, which has flourished in Gragnano for over 500 years.
Giuseppe Di Martino, a third-generation pasta maker, recognized the importance of full traceability of raw materials. He initiated a collaboration with farmers in Apulia, particularly from the Tavoliere and Sub-Apennine Daunia regions, to secure high-quality durum wheat grown without chemical fertilizers or glyphosate, using only ancient grain varieties.
BEST Pastificio dei Campi Pasta Varieties
Pastificio Benedetto Cavalieri is an esteemed Italian pasta producer located in Maglie, Lecce, within the Apulia region. Established on July 7, 1918, by Benedetto Cavalieri, the company has maintained a commitment to crafting high-quality pasta using traditional methods.
The company employs a "Delicate Method" in its production process, which preserves the nutritional value, flavor, and aroma of the durum wheat. This technique ensures a natural consistency that is highly appreciated by connoisseurs. Their product range includes 32 varieties of durum wheat semolina pasta, featuring notable shapes such as Spaghettoni and Ruote Pazze.
BEST Pastificio Benedetto Cavalieri Pasta
Monograno Felicetti is the premium pasta line from Felicetti, an Italian pasta manufacturer founded in 1908 in Trentino - South Tyrol. This exclusive collection is made from single-origin organic grains, carefully selected for their unique flavors and nutritional qualities.
Produced using pure Dolomite mountain water and bronze die extrusion, Monograno Felicetti pasta has a rough texture that enhances sauce absorption. It is slowly dried at low temperatures, preserving the natural aroma and integrity of the grains. Known for its superior quality, this pasta is favored by top chefs and gourmet restaurants worldwide.
BEST Monograno Felicetti Pasta
Pastificio Gentile is a renowned Italian pasta producer from Gragnano, a city known as the "pasta capital" in the Campania region. Founded in 1876, Pastificio Gentile is one of the historic pasta makers that continues to use traditional methods in its production.
Their pasta is made from high-quality durum wheat and shaped using bronze dies, which give it a rough texture that helps sauces adhere better. A key feature of their process is the slow drying at low temperatures, known as the Metodo Cirillo, which preserves the pasta’s nutritional value and authentic flavor.
BEST Pastificio Gentile Pasta Varieties
Salumificio Mec Palmieri is a renowned Italian producer of cured meat specialties, driven by a long-standing tradition and a passion for exceptional quality. Located in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, a region famous for its rich culinary heritage, the company stands out for its carefully selected ingredients and traditional production methods that ensure authentic flavor and outstanding texture in every product.
Best known for its mortadella, it represents a perfect blend of craftsmanship, innovation, and respect for tradition. Each product is the result of strictly controlled processes, from meat selection to precise processing and maturation, achieving a unique aroma and superior quality.
BEST Salumificio Mec Palmieri Meat Products
Pastificio Gaetano Faella is a renowned Italian pasta factory located in Gragnano, a small town near Naples, famously known as the "Pasta Capital." Established in 1907, this family-run company has been producing high-quality "Pasta di Gragnano IGP" (Protected Geographical Indication) for three generations, using 100% Italian durum wheat semolina and pure water from the Lattari Mountains.
The production process at Pastificio Faella combines traditional methods with modern technology. The pasta is shaped using bronze dies, which give it a rough texture, ideal for absorbing sauces. After shaping, the pasta is dried at low temperatures over an extended period, preserving its nutritional properties and authentic flavor.
Rustichella d'Abruzzo is a renowned Italian pasta producer, founded in 1924 in the heart of the Abruzzo region. With nearly a century of tradition, Rustichella combines artisanal methods with carefully selected ingredients to create premium-quality pasta, loved by chefs and food enthusiasts worldwide.
Rustichella d'Abruzzo offers a diverse range of products, including classic pasta varieties, whole wheat and gluten-free options, as well as specialty shapes like Sagne a Pezzi and Tonnarelli. The brand also produces high-quality sauces and gourmet food products.
Pastificio Famiglia Martelli is a traditional artisan pasta factory located in the medieval village of Lari, near Pisa, Tuscany. Established in 1926, it remains a family-run business where only eight members of the Martelli family manage the entire production process.
The pasta is crafted using 100% Italian durum wheat semolina, mixed with cold water. The dough is extruded through bronze dies, giving the pasta a rough texture that helps sauces adhere better. It is then air-dried at low temperatures for about 50 hours, preserving its nutritional value and ensuring a firm, flavorful product.
BEST Pastificio Famiglia Martelli Pasta
La Campofilone is a distinguished Italian pasta producer located in the Marche region, renowned for its artisanal egg pasta crafted using traditional methods and high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. The company operates as an agricultural pasta factory, cultivating its own durum wheat and raising hens in non-intensive environments to ensure the freshness and quality of the eggs used in their pasta production. All raw materials, including durum wheat semolina and fresh eggs, are produced within the company's 150 hectares of farmland.
This closed-loop system guarantees quality, traceability, and food safety. The pasta is made following time-honored techniques, with a controlled temperature that never exceeds 36 degrees Celsius and a drying period of 24 to 48 hours, resulting in light, easily digestible pasta with a low glycemic index.
BEST La Campofilone Pasta
VerdeBios is an Italian organic agricultural company dedicated to producing and distributing high-quality organic products that promote a healthy lifestyle and sustainability. Located in Celenza sul Trigno, in the province of Chieti, VerdeBios combines tradition and innovation in cultivating ancient grain varieties, producing pasta, flour, semolina, extra virgin olive oil, organic meat, eggs, and cured meats.
In addition to agricultural production, the company operates a store in Vasto, offering a wide range of organic products, including freshly baked bread, fruits, vegetables, vegan specialties, and eco-friendly cosmetics, while the BIOBAR allows visitors to enjoy healthy organic breakfasts and freshly prepared meals.
BEST Verdebios Meat Products
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TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Italian Foods” list until March 20, 2025, 57,406 ratings were recorded, of which 45,621 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.