Surprising Dishes That Aren’t Really Italian

When it comes to Italian cuisine, everyone has their go-to favorites. But did you know some of the dishes we often associate with Italy aren’t even Italian? Grab your bottomless breadsticks and fork and let’s dig into the surprising truth behind these beloved dishes.

1. Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs are often the first dish that comes to mind when thinking of Italian food. However, this hearty meal is more of an Italian-American creation. In Italy, meatballs, or “polpette,” are typically served on their own as a second course and not with pasta.

2. Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo, with its creamy, buttery sauce, is a staple on many Italian restaurant menus in the United States. The dish was actually invented by Alfredo di Lelio in Rome, but the rich version with heavy cream that Americans love doesn’t resemble the original, simpler recipe of just butter and Parmesan.

3. Garlic Bread

Garlic bread, often served as a starter in Italian-American restaurants, is a far cry from authentic Italian cuisine. Italians might enjoy bruschetta, which is toasted bread rubbed with garlic and topped with tomatoes and olive oil, but the buttery, garlicky breadsticks we love are a purely American invention.

4. Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan, or “chicken parm,” is another favorite that has little to do with Italian tradition. This dish, featuring breaded chicken cutlets topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese, originated in Italian-American kitchens, drawing inspiration from eggplant Parmesan.

5. Italian Dressing

Italian dressing is a staple in American salads, but you’d be hard-pressed to find it in Italy. Traditional Italian salads are dressed simply with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. The zesty, herby bottled dressing is an American creation that has no roots in Italian cuisine.

6. Pepperoni Pizza

While pizza is undoubtedly Italian, pepperoni as a topping is not. In Italy, you might find pizzas topped with various cured meats, but “pepperoni” as we know it in the United States, a spicy sausage, doesn’t exist there. Instead, you’d order a pizza with “salame piccante.”

7. Mozzarella Sticks

Mozzarella sticks are a popular appetizer in American Italian restaurants, but they’re virtually unheard of in Italy. Italians enjoy fresh mozzarella in dishes like Caprese salad or simply with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, not deep-fried and served with marinara sauce.

8. Caesar Salad

Although it’s often found on Italian restaurant menus, Caesar salad was actually invented in Mexico by an Italian-American restaurateur named Caesar Cardini. The original version didn’t even include anchovies, which are now a common ingredient in the dressing.

9. Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp scampi, a dish featuring shrimp in a garlic butter and white wine sauce, is more of an Italian-American creation. In Italy, “scampi” refers to langoustines, a type of shellfish, and the dish is quite different from what we see on American menus.

10. Bottomless Breadsticks

Ah, the bottomless breadsticks, a beloved staple of many Italian-American chain restaurants like Olive Garden. While Italians certainly enjoy bread with their meals, the idea of endless refills of breadsticks is entirely American. In Italy, bread is usually served with the meal, but not in the unlimited, all-you-can-eat style.

11. Meat Lover’s Pizza

Meat lover’s pizza, loaded with various meats like sausage, pepperoni, and bacon, is a creation tailored to American appetites. In Italy, pizza toppings are much simpler and often focus on one or two ingredients, like Margherita or Quattro Stagioni.

12. Baked Ziti

Baked ziti, a comforting casserole of pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella, is a dish that you’ll rarely find in Italy. Italians might make similar dishes, but the American version, popularized by restaurants like Olive Garden, is distinctly Italian-American.

13. Chicken Marsala

Chicken Marsala, featuring chicken breasts cooked in a sweet Marsala wine sauce, is more commonly found in Italian-American kitchens than in Italy. While Marsala wine is indeed Italian, this particular dish is a blend of Italian and American culinary traditions.

14. Italian Wedding Soup

Italian wedding soup, with its meatballs, greens, and pasta, is a favorite in the United States but isn’t traditionally Italian. The name is a mistranslation of “minestra maritata,” which means “married soup” and refers to the marriage of flavors rather than a connection to weddings.

15. Lasagna with Ricotta

Lasagna is indeed Italian, but the use of ricotta cheese in lasagna is more of an Italian-American twist. In Italy, béchamel sauce is commonly used in the layers, whereas American versions often rely on ricotta for creaminess.

Mangia! (Eat Up!)

So next time you dig into your favorite “Italian” dish at Olive Garden or any other Italian-American restaurant, remember that it might just be a delicious Italian-American creation. While they may not be authentic, these dishes have become an essential part of our culinary landscape, blending traditions from both sides of the Atlantic into something uniquely enjoyable. Buon appetito!

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Featured Image Credit: Pexels / Gera Cejas.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.