Minestra
Recipe by:
Melanie Booth
A vegetarian version of minestrone, bursting with flavour and healthiness. Goes great with crusty Italian bread.
Pasta with potato, beans and pesto
Recipe by:
Norma MacMillan
This is a traditional Ligurian dish that is usually made with potatoes, green beans and baby broad beans. Here, broccoli and courgettes boost the green vegetable content. The pesto sauce used to dress the pasta and vegetables is lighter than most, but still packs a wonderful flavoursome punch.
Gnocchi with sage and cinnamon
Recipe by:
Norma MacMillan
An Italian classic, traditional semolina gnocchi is served with generous amounts of cheese and butter. This healthier but equally delicious version is made with just a little butter, cheese and olive oil and flavoured with cinnamon and sage. Served with lightly cooked spinach and peas, this makes a great family meal.
Lentil risotto
Recipe by:
Norma MacMillan
Lentils add extra flavour and texture to this Italian-style mushroom risotto. Serve with roast or grilled vegetables, such as peppers and courgettes, or a mixed salad, for a satisfying lunch.
Tuscan bean bruschetta
Recipe by:
Caroline
Quick and easy, I love to make these when we are entertaining friends.
Italian tuna salad with beans
A quick salad made from tuna, red onion and cannellini beans. A fresh lemon, olive oil and parsley dressing adds a burst of flavour. It's filling so perfect for taking to the office.
Farinata
Recipe by:
Julia
This crispy Italian flatbread made of chickpea flour is a specialty from Liguria and a real secret weapon in your kitchen repertoire! People love it. Chickpea flour can also be found in Asian / Indian shops. You'll need a cast iron frying pan or tin.
Pasta with rosemary tomato sauce and chickpeas
I use my pressure cooker to cook the chickpeas - can be completely cooked while you are preparing the sauce and boiling the water for the pasta. Following my suggestions, you can make this dish in 30 minutes.
Laseyona
Passed down from my mum from a friend of my dad's, the late Mark Lasey. They went round for a dinner after the pub one night and all he had was mushrooms, onions, minced beef, baked beans and pasta that could have gone together as a dish. The dish was a success and we have now perfected it as a favourite family dish and have named it Laseyona after my dad's dear friend.
Beef Meatball and Lentil Soup
Recipe by:
Kristin
A super-hearty soup, made by simmering together meatballs, rice and lentils in a tomato soup base. It's the perfect soup to enjoy during the cold winter months. Serve with crusty bread, if desired.
Ribollita
Recipe by:
TINATED
This is an Italian dish of peasant origins. Ribollita literally means "re-boiled". This soup is made with beans, vegetables and soup. It's delicious and vegan-friendly. Serve for lunch or dinner.
Minestrone Soup with Sausage
Recipe by:
DOLAN1031
This minestrone soup is deliciously hearty. Sausagemeat is simmered with vegetables, pasta and kidney beans. Feel free to spice up the soup with more crushed chillies, if desired.
Two Meat Minestrone
Recipe by:
Ann Satler
This is a truly hearty Italian soup. Bacon is simmered with beef mince, carrots, celery, courgette, pasta and chickpeas in a tomato soup base. It's perfect for the cold winter months. Feel free to substitute in any vegetables you have at hand.
Pasta Fagioli with Bacon
Recipe by:
DML31
A delicious Italian pasta and bean recipe. Bacon is simmered with beans and penne in a seasoned tomato soup base. It's perfect when served with grated Parmesan and crusty bread.
Tuscan Reboiled Bean Soup
Recipe by:
JOSIE
This classic soup is also known as ribollita (reboiled). Cannellini beans are simmered with inexpensive vegetables, herbs and bread, in a thick bean-based soup. It's then allowed to chill and re-boiled before serving.
Braised Wild Boar
Recipe by:
eat!
This is a super-hearty and robustly flavoured Italian-style meal. Wild boar is braised with beans, porcini mushrooms, fennel and artichokes, then garnished with Pecorino Romano and parsley. It's the perfect dish to keep you warm throughout the winter months.
Andrea's Pasta e Fagioli
Recipe by:
AVALERIO
This is a recipe I adapted from my grandmother's. This warm and comforting soup is easy to make and perfect for a Sunday evening with crusty ciabatta.
Easy Pasta e Fagioli
Recipe by:
Cindy
This Italian-inspired bean and pasta soup is very filling and only needs a grating of Pecorino or Parmesan cheese and some crusty bread.
Fusilli and Chickpea Salad
Recipe by:
Anita Hughes
This recipe comes from my Italian grandmother. It was always one of my favourites. It's best if you chill it overnight.