5-Star Italian - Cooking Light

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Herbed Cheese Pizza (Lahmacun)

Here's a fresh twist on an old favorite. Using kasseri, a Greek goat-milk cheese with a cheddar-like texture, you’re ensured a dinner table full of smiles. “My husband said that this is the best pizza I've ever made, even better than my usual recipe which is much higher in fat and calories,” raves attilaskitchen.

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Photo: Howard L. Puckett

Herbed Chicken Parmesan

This recipe was a standout favorite, earning more than 100 five-star reviews for its speedy cook time and delicious outcome. A reviewer raved, “As a homey family meal, this is truly outstanding. The flavor is wonderful, and it's easy and relatively inexpensive.”

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Becky Luigart-Stayner

Spicy Shrimp and Fettuccine

“WOW! My husband is a gourmet chef and declared this recipe to be restaurant quality, and the entire family heartily agreed!” glows Lea in Georgia. “Flavors are outstanding and the recipe comes together quickly and easily.” Pair with a fresh garden salad and you have one impressive weeknight meal.

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Randy Mayor

Tomato-Basil Lasagna with Prosciutto

This lasagna weighs in at under 300 calories a serving and doesn’t skimp on flavor. AtHomeGourmetPC found it perfect for make-ahead meals. “A great freezer recipe! I am a personal chef and this is a great make-ahead dish. The cheese filling tastes so rich.”

View Recipe: Tomato-Basil Lasagna with Prosciutto

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Garden Minestrone

“Holy cow, this soup is fantastic,” says secondmomoftwins. “We used fresh ingredients from the farmer's market and tripled the batch. It was fabulous!” Pick up local produce that's in season; you can always alter the recipe a little to coincide with what’s fresh in your neighborhood.

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Becky Luigart-Stayner

Marinara Magnifica

This savory tomato sauce is packed with tons of flavor and wonderful textures. It also freezes well. “We loved this recipe. It has great depth of flavor,” says Whisk43, who made a few good dietary alterations. “I did cut back on the salt by using no-salt cans of the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. I then increased the added salt to 2 teaspoons."

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Lee Harrelson

Risotto with Fresh Mozzarella, Grape Tomatoes, and Basil

Barbara states, “This was beyond awesome. So fresh tasting and easy. It even heated up well for lunch the next day.” The recipe makes a lot to feed a crowd, or works well as second-day leftovers.

View Recipe: Risotto with Fresh Mozzarella, Grape Tomatoes, and Basil

Randy Mayor

Tiramisu Anacapri

Mrsrevell, a veteran of this rich tiramisu, has been making the decadent dessert for years. “I've made it hundreds of times for potlucks, pitch-ins, family dinners, dinner parties, holidays, and more. There is never any left, and everyone always wants the recipe. It tastes a billion times richer than it is, and it's so simple to make.”

View Recipe: Tiramisu Anacapri

Five-Star Italian

Herbed Cheese Pizza (Lahmacun)

Herbed Chicken Parmesan

Spicy Shrimp and Fettuccine

Tomato-Basil Lasagna with Prosciutto

Garden Minestrone

Marinara Magnifica

Risotto with Fresh Mozzarella, Grape Tomatoes, and Basil

Tiramisu Anacapri