5 Easy Italian Columbus Day Recipes

These 5 easy Columbus Day recipes will evoke the Italian aspect of the day with little effort in the kitchen. Each of these recipes is simple and delicious and uses traditional Italian ingredients.

To make Italian artichoke dip, you will need:

• 1 can of artichokes, drained and sliced
• 1 cup of Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 cup of mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp. garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 1 loaf Italian bread, sliced

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine artichokes, cheese, mayonnaise and garlic in a bowl. Mix until combined.
3. Spread dip into a glass pie dish. Sprinkle top of dip with breadcrumbs.
4. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and serve with bread while still warm.

To make Columbus Day broccoli rabe, you will need:

• 2 lbs. broccoli rabe
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp. red pepper flakes

1. Wash broccoli and remove the bottom inch of each stem. Cut broccoli into four-inch pieces.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil, garlic and red pepper flakes over medium heat on stove.
3. After garlic becomes fragrant, add the broccoli and vinegar to the skillet.
4. Cover skillet, reduce heat and let simmer for twenty minutes. Remove from heat and drain excess oil from broccoli. Serve while still warm.

To make Italian linguine with olive oil, garlic and parsley, you will need:

• 1 lb. linguine
• 5 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 cup parsley, stems removed and chopped
• 5 tbsp. garlic, minced

1. Cook linguine according to package directions. Drain and let cool completely.
2. Add cooked pasta and remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
3. Stir until combined. Serve this Columbus Day recipe at room temperature.

To make easy Italian lasagna with meatballs, you will need:

• 1 lb. pre-made lasagna noodles, not dried
• 1 lb. frozen Italian meatballs, thawed
• 1 tbsp. garlic
• 2 (12 oz.) jars of marinara sauce
• 3 tbsp. each dried parsley, oregano and thyme
• 2 lbs. ricotta cheese
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine one jar of marinara sauce with garlic parsley, oregano and thyme.
3. Line the bottom of a large glass baking dish with noodles. Spread a thin layer of sauce over noodles. Spread a thin layer of ricotta cheese over sauce. Repeat this layering until all noodles, sauce and cheese are used.
4. Slice meatballs in half. Place meatballs on top of lasagna.
5. Bake lasagna for twenty minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
6. Return lasagna to oven and cook for ten to twenty minutes. Remove from heat, let cool slightly. Serve this Columbus day recipe while still hot.

To make strawberries soaked in balsamic vinegar, you will need:

• 2 lbs. strawberries, washed, stems removed and sliced
• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3 tbsp. sugar
• 1 loaf Italian bread, sliced thin
• 1/2 cup honey

1. Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
2. The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take pieces of the sliced bread and lay on a baking sheet.
3. Add one teaspoon of honey to each slice, spreading evenly over the bread’s surface. Place bread in oven for five minutes or until warm.
4. If making this recipe in advance, remove strawberries from refrigerator twenty minutes prior to serving.
5. Top each piece of bread with two heaping tablespoons of strawberries. Serve this easy Italian recipe while still warm.