18 Delicious and Simple Italian Dinners You Can Make in 45 Minutes or Less

Pork Marsala

A quick and simple Italian pork dish with a flavorful wine sauce, ready in just 30 minutes. "An outstanding recipe," says Libby Glenn. "I’ve never tasted Marsala this good at any restaurant! It’s so easy to prepare, and everyone at my house is a fan of mushrooms, so I doubled the amount."

Spaghetti Alla Carbonara Tradizionale

An authentic Italian carbonara recipe, ready in about 30 minutes. "This recipe is as traditional as it gets," says Andry008. "There’s no cream involved—just eggs and Pecorino Romano cheese, not Parmesan. Finish with extra Pecorino Romano, salt, and pepper."

Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions

A quick skillet meal ready in about 40 minutes. "This is always a favorite," says naples34012. "I believe every Italian family has their own version of this dish, with some personal twists depending on family traditions. It’s fantastic on Italian rolls or served over hearty pasta."

Chef John's Shrimp Fra Diavolo

This flavorful Southern Italian shrimp dish is a fiery and delightful dinner. Top it off with a sprinkle of freshly chopped herbs. "This meal is absolutely fantastic," says Chris Weaver. "I truly enjoyed making it for dinner." Substitution tip: "I didn’t have shrimp available," says Christine Shepard, "so I swapped in leftover lobster tail and fresh clams instead of shrimp."

Sausage and Farro Skillet with Mushrooms and Delicata Squash

Here’s a quick and easy one-pan skillet meal with Italian sausage, farro, and vegetables, ready in about 35 minutes. "I love the rich, savory flavors that mushrooms and winter squash bring to this dish, but feel free to experiment with any vegetables for equally tasty results!" says Diana Moutsopoulos.

Pizza Chicken

A true family favorite, this dish comes together in about 45 minutes. It’s incredibly versatile—top the chicken with any of your preferred ingredients! Some reviewers added red peppers, mushrooms, and more. Others swapped pizza sauce for spaghetti sauce and pepperoni for salami. But it was a 5-star hit with everyone! "My family went wild for this chicken!" says missrochester. "Absolutely delicious! I used my own homemade pasta with cubed pepperoni."

Shrimp Scampi with Pasta

This shrimp scampi is simple enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for a special occasion. Ready in just 40 minutes, you’ll cook shrimp in a rich butter, olive oil, shallot, garlic, and red pepper flake sauce, then deglaze with white wine and lemon juice. "Delicious and so easy to prepare," says Christina Lazarou. "My family adored it. This dish will definitely become a regular in my kitchen."

Chicken Marsala

"A flavorful and timeless chicken dish," says Lisa. "Tender chicken breasts, lightly coated and braised in Marsala wine with mushrooms. It's both simple and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or for impressing guests."

Penne with Chicken and Pesto

This quick and easy pesto pasta dish is ready in just 30 minutes. It’s super simple. You’ll sauté chicken and garlic, then stir in cream, pesto, and Parmesan cheese. "I often swap half of the heavy cream for chicken broth," says MARYSTEVE, who shared the recipe.

Manicotti Italian Casserole

A baked manicotti dish ready in just 40 minutes! Brown ground beef and Italian sausage, then combine with mushrooms, spaghetti sauce, and cooked pasta in a baking dish. Top with cheese and pepperoni, then bake until bubbly. "A fantastic, quick meal choice," says Jenna F. "I was short on time, and this was exactly what I needed."

Pasta Pomodoro

An "easy and light pasta with tomatoes and garlic" that comes together in about 30 minutes. "Add cooked chicken breast chunks or shrimp to the sauce for a satisfying main dish," suggests DEBNJAMES.

Tilapia Scampi

Ready in under an hour. "My husband and I are big fans of shrimp scampi," says JasnsWif. "Since tilapia is often more affordable than shrimp, I created this simple recipe to enjoy the flavor of scampi without the shrimp price tag!"

Crispy Baked Chicken with Giardiniera

This easy pantry-friendly meal is ready in about 35 minutes. Boneless, skinless chicken cutlets are topped with mild or spicy giardiniera and provolone cheese, then baked until golden and crispy. "This recipe was inspired by one of my favorite dishes at a local winery's restaurant," says France C. "Try different crouton flavors for a fun twist."

Pasta Fazool (Pasta e Fagioli)

This easy, hearty, and meaty Italian-American take on Pasta e Fagioli is a true comfort food classic. Chef John says, "You can use any kind of sausage for this dish, but I love the fennel and anise flavors of sweet Italian sausage paired with beans—it’s a rich and satisfying soup that's quick and simple to prepare."

Spaghetti with Tuna and Capers

Ready in just about 25 minutes. The recipe creator, Kim's Cooking Now, shares, "With just a few basic ingredients, you can whip up a tasty meal! My husband came up with this recipe while we were on 'stay-at-home' orders during the Coronavirus pandemic. It was quick, simple, and delicious!"

Lasagna Flatbread

Flatbread lasagna takes about 40 minutes to prepare. It’s made with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, Italian seasonings, sausage, and marinara sauce. "I adore this simple recipe!" says MeddlingMonkeys. "I used garlic naan instead of flatbread."

Spicy Tuna Pasta with Creamy Fra Diavolo Sauce

Perfect for a fast, healthy weeknight meal, spicy tuna is simmered in a flavorful fra diavolo sauce and ready in about 30 minutes. "I used a ginger tool by Microplane to slice my garlic thinly," says thedailygourmet, who submitted the recipe. "If you use this method, be sure to wear the Microplane glove for safety."

Panko-Breaded Pork Parmigiana

In this quick and easy twist on Parmigiana, pork cutlets with a crispy panko crust replace the traditional chicken, and it’s ready in just 30 minutes! "Topped with hearty marinara and gooey mozzarella, these crunchy Parmesan-crusted pork chops could easily outshine the classic chicken version!" says France C. "For an extra-saucy treat, double the marinara."

More Italian Recipes and Inspiration

• Best Italian Recipes for Beginner Cooks
• Delicious Dinners That Start with a Jar of Spaghetti Sauce
• Our Complete Collection of Italian Recipes