Five-Star Italian

By Text: Virgina Switzer
July 20, 2009
Credit: Randy Mayor
Readers raved about these delicious Italian classics.
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Herbed Cheese Pizza (Lahmacun)

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Herbed Cheese Pizza

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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Herbed Chicken Parmesan

Credit: Photo: Howard L. Puckett
View Recipe: 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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Spicy Shrimp and Fettuccine

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Spicy Shrimp and Fettucine

“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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Tomato-Basil Lasagna with Prosciutto

Credit: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: 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.”

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Garden Minestrone

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: 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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Marinara Magnifica

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: 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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Risotto with Fresh Mozzarella, Grape Tomatoes, and Basil

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

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Tiramisu Anacapri

Credit: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: 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.”

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By Text: Virgina Switzer