During 2020, many of us lived in the kitchen. We spent hours exploring popular Italian food recipes and comforting dishes of our past. We hosted “Quarantini” aperitivo hour on Zoom like Ina Garten. We bought pasta machines. Our minds were occupied by dueling cravings for sweets and healthy Mediterranean options from the world's “Blue zones."
We watched celebrities share hacks for home-cooked Penne alla Vodka on Instagram and world-famous chefs reveal (in real-time) the secrets of pasta from their home kitchens. We moved beyond our beloved spaghetti and meatballs and got curious about Roman recipes.
And we got better. We applied new cooking techniques (hello pasta water!), studied the origins of our favorite recipes and avoided mistakes, realizing that the devil is in the details. Sometimes, we YouTubed Italian pasta grannies to get it right.
As the months rolled by, we ordered meal kits from restaurants, supported local farms, started gardens, and discovered new food delivery options. We ate slice after slice of Neapolitan pizza, and donated the pies to first responders and poll-workers. We baked flourless desserts and treats for loved ones. We found ways to fill the pantry with treasured staples while prioritizing local stores. Some of us even tried out cooking and dining al fresco for the first time.
From carbonara to grilled lamb skewers, these are the most popular Italian food recipes and tricks we searched for in 2020. But the two most important ingredients in Italian cooking remain unchanged this year: passion and time.
Here are the most popular Italian recipes of 2020 from the La Cucina Italiana USA website:
1. How to Cook Carbonara, the Perfect Everyday Pasta
2. Classic Italian Ragù Bolognese: Top 7 Mistakes to Avoid
3. Puttanesca, a Sauce that Gets Around
4. Tiramisù: Entry Level - You Can Do it!
5. Spaghetti all'Amatriciana: 5 Mistakes to Avoid
6. How to Make Meat Cannelloni
7. The Definitive Guide to Cacio e Pepe
8. Ricotta cake: The Tasty Italian Cheesecake