We’ve rounded up the 13 best Italian Breakfast ideas ever! From traditional Italian egg dishes to typical Italian breakfast pastries and everything in between, we’ll take you through 13 delicious foods and drinks below that I’m sure you and your family will love!
What’s a Typical Breakfast (Colazione) in Italy?
A typical breakfast in Italy, referred to as Colazione, is a lighter and sweeter meal than what we usually see in the U.S. It consists of a perfect cup of coffee, cappuccino, or a cafe latte with a side of bread slathered with jam, biscotti or a pastry.
Popular Italian Breakfast Recipes
1. Frittata
Bacon, egg, cheese, and vegetables- this probably sounds like your typical and simple breakfast. However, if you take those ingredients, sautee them while whisking in the eggs and cream, then stick them in the oven for just 10 short minutes, you will have a breakfast that not only warms you, but fills you too!
2. Italian Baked Eggs & Sausage
Do you crave something warm and comforting on cold and wintery days? Try grabbing the tomato sauce, smoked sausage and eggs to provide you with an everlasting satisfied feeling. Simply sauté the sauce and sausage together, add in some Italian seasoning and poached eggs and you are well on your way to the perfect breakfast or even brunch.
3. Ricotta Pancakes
Fluffy and moist are the only way to describe these pancakes! Step up your pancake game by adding in some ricotta into your homemade pancake recipe. To top it off, top them off with some macerated strawberries and complete them with butter and maple syrup. The combination of the ingredients provides a sweet taste without one of them overpowering the other.
Italian Breakfast Pastries
4. Croissant
Buttery, flakey pastry is what describes a croissant. Named for its crescent shape, a croissant provides a crispy texture on the outside, fluffy and airy on the inside. It is better known in Italy as a cornetto, easily made by combining eggs, pastry dough, and water. The difference is that cornetto has a bit more sugar than your typical croissant.
5. Brioche
Butter anyone? If you are a butter fan, then Brioche is for you! The perfect cross between bread and pastry. You can easily make this a sweet brioche for dessert or a savory brioche as a compliment to your breakfast. The high amounts of eggs and butter in this recipe make the bread have a golden outside and yellow light and fluffy on the inside. Try your hand at making this perfect pastry, it is difficult to mess up.
6. Tiramisu
Can’t beat a dessert that combines that perfect cup of coffee and a pastry treat! Tiramisu is a simple pastry that will have you going back for more! Simply dip the ladyfingers into espresso, combine the mascarpone, cream, sugar, and vanilla, from there it’s just layering the ladyfingers and mascarpone. The best part about this pastry is that you don’t have to bake it!
7. Cannoli
Crisp and flakey, lusciously creamy- these are the words that describe that pastry you cannot do without! Cannoli is a tube-shaped pastry that is usually filled with ricotta cheese and mascarpone mixture however you can step it up a notch and add in some icing sugar and chocolate chips, cinnamon, or even cream cheese. Whatever option you choose, you will definitely want more than just one.
8. Zeppole Italian Donuts
Also known as St. Joseph’s Day Cake! They are light and fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Our recipe is quick and easy…don’t forget to use vegetable oil when making these delicious donuts. Plus, you can fill them with pastry cream, custard or jam!
Other Italian Brunch & Breakfast Foods
9. Cappuccino
If you get the right cappuccino on the right day, there’s just something about them that brings comfort. Traditionally prepared with steam milk foam, cappuccinos have been around since the 1700s. To add a little kick, try adding cinnamon or sugar to the top.
10. Coffee & Latte
Dating back to the 15th century, this beverage is now consumed and enjoyed around the world! The coffee seeds undergo several processes before they become the familiar roasted coffee we all drink on a regular basis. Latte is a coffee drink made from espresso and steamed milk. In Italy, caffè latte is almost always prepared at home, for breakfast only – hence our breakfast chain of food and drink here.
11. Biscuits
Why not try your cappuccino, coffee or latte with a biscuit?
And depending on where you’re eating and trying these flour-based products, you’ll either bite into a soft and flaky biscuit or drier and crunchy – in particular in Europe.
12. Italian Brunch Torte
Italian torta is a pie similar to a quiche, but here’s the caveat – the Torte’s crust is made of cheese, or even pizza dough, not egg! Torta is the Italian word for cake. You can even try a vegetarian version.
13. Italian Brunch Casserole
At first glance you would call this dish an omelette. But that’s where the similarities end. Italian Brunch Casserole is served in a deeper pan, and therefore offers way more substance. Served best with fresh fruit!
I don’t know about you, but I’m not only hungry but also thirsty and can’t wait to tackle some of these suggestions tomorrow morning!
From the frittata to the cannoli to the cappuccino – heck we could write a song about these Italian breakfast favorites.
Mangia!!
Italian Breakfast Frittata
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ½ onion cubed
- ½ cup mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup cooked bacon cut into small pieces
- ½ cup bread cut into cubes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Add oil to an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add onions and mushrooms. Cook for about 4 minutes or until tender and lightly browned.
- Add the bread cubes, bacon, and cheese on top, and distribute evenly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream and salt.
- Pour the egg mixture over the cheese. Cook for about 2 minutes until you see the egg mixture at the edges of the pan start to set.
- Bake for about 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven. Serve warm and enjoy!
Hanna says
I just sent this to my sister. We were just talking about our love for all things Italian Food. Thanks for this amazing list. I can’t wait to try the frittata and Ricotta pancakes at our family gathering next month.
Jess says
These recipes are all so good and they remind me of breakfast my Italian family made for me growing up! Those ricotta pancakes are so fluffy and they are just to die for!
CHANDRAGIRI nagendra prasad says
I just sent this to my sister. We were simply discussing our affection for everything Italian Food. Much obliged for this stunning rundown. I can hardly wait to attempt the frittata and Ricotta hotcakes at our family assembling one month from now.