Italian recipes for spring

Bring a taste of Italy to your table with these Italian spring recipes. Fresh, easy and inexpensive, these dishes suit all appetites, tastes and occasions.

Ready in less than 30 minutes

Chargrilled lemon chicken with antipasti couscous

This lemon chicken recipe is a great-tasting dish that's perfect for quick and easy entertaining.

Tuscan sausage and fennel ragù with gnocchi

A true taste of bucolic Italy, this quick sausage ragù recipe is made even heartier by the inclusion of that all-round comfort food – gnocchi.

Gremolata pork chops on creamy polenta with lemon ricotta sauce

This Italian recipe combines creamy polenta with juicy pork smothered in tangy gremolata, a mix of lemon, garlic and herbs.

Ready in under an hour

Spring vegetable minestrone with broken spaghetti

This freezable vegetarian minestrone recipe is ideal for using up vegetables and half-used packets of pasta. Any dried pasta shape will work.

Squashed tomato, basil and garlic barley risotto

This summery vegetarian risotto recipe is made with pearl barley; a filling alternative to arborio rice that has a wonderfully earthy flavour.

Chicken, pancetta and bean stew with sage

A rustic Italian stew recipe that, with the first mouthful, will transport you to an Umbrian cucina.

Roasted cod with fennel, red onion and balsamic tomatoes

This simple, super-healthy cod recipe is overflowing with rustic Italian flavours.

Smoky grilled mackerel fillets with Tuscan salad

This mackerel recipe will bring a little Italian sunshine to your mealtime.

Ready in an hour or more

Courgette and Taleggio tart with polenta pastry

To make this stunning tart recipe veggie use Somerset Brie for the Taleggio, and pesto for prosciutto.

Lamb caponata topped with crispy potatoes

Caponata is a Sicilian dish made primarily with aubergine. This caponata recipe includes lamb to create a succulent stew with a delightfully crispy topping.