By the weekend after Thanksgiving, another turkey dinner can be a tough sell. This collection switches to Italian favorites, from quick pasta and salads to baked ziti, ravioli, and a slow-simmered sauce. Choose a fast dinner for Saturday or use a quieter stretch to make something that takes longer.
Penne Alla Vodka
After the holiday leftovers, Penne Alla Vodka offers a creamy dinner that comes together in about 40 minutes. The sauce combines crushed tomatoes, vodka, heavy cream, and Parmesan, then coats penne with help from reserved pasta water. A little red pepper is optional, so the heat can stay mild. It is a useful Saturday choice when the holiday leftovers have lost their appeal.
Get the Recipe: Penne Alla Vodka
Neapolitan Pizza
Six minutes are all it takes to turn a 12-inch crust into Neapolitan Pizza, a quick switch from holiday roasts. Pizza sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil keep the toppings simple. It works for a quick lunch or an easy Saturday dinner when everyone wants a break from turkey and richer holiday sides, without a long wait in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Neapolitan Pizza
Cacio e Pepe
When a short ingredient list sounds good, Cacio e Pepe turns spaghetti, black pepper, and Parmesan or Pecorino Romano into dinner in about 30 minutes. The cheese and pasta water form a smooth coating without a separate sauce to simmer. Keep it in mind for a low-effort meal between holiday plans, or serve it beside a crisp salad for a fuller plate.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Butternut Squash Ravioli
Set aside a relaxed afternoon for Butternut Squash Ravioli, a hands-on project that takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. The homemade pasta uses flour and eggs, while the filling centers on butternut squash with butter and nutmeg. A creamy sauce with white wine and Parmesan finishes the dish. Set aside a relaxed afternoon when a quick turkey sandwich is not appealing.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Ravioli
Cannoli Cookies
To step away from pie, Cannoli Cookies take about 30 minutes and make 16 cookies. Ricotta gives the dough its cannoli-inspired character, while chocolate chips, vanilla, and chopped pistachios add familiar flavor and texture. A little chocolate syrup or powdered sugar can finish them. Bake a batch for weekend coffee or keep them on hand for anyone still stopping by after the holiday.
Get the Recipe: Cannoli Cookies
Mushroom Bolognese
Earthy and meatless, Mushroom Bolognese simmers into a hearty pasta sauce in about an hour for a weekend dinner. Portobello mushrooms, onion, carrots, celery, crushed tomatoes, and red wine build the sauce, which is served over pappardelle or another pasta. It is a good fit when you want a longer-cooking dinner that has nothing to do with turkey.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Bolognese
Italian Sliders
Casual weekend eating suits Italian Sliders, ready in about 40 minutes for a shareable lunch. Hawaiian rolls hold ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone, and roasted peppers, with marinara on the side for dipping. The small sandwiches are easy to pair with a salad or chips. Bring them out for a relaxed weekend lunch when nobody is asking for another turkey plate.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sliders
Spaghetti Bolognese
Dinner can shift from turkey to Spaghetti Bolognese in about 40 minutes, with a savory tomato sauce. Ground beef and pancetta join onion, celery, carrot, wine, tomato, and milk in the sauce. Serve it over spaghetti with grated Parmesan for a family-style dinner, or save leftovers for another busy evening when plans run late.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Bolognese
Antipasto Salad
Crisp, colorful, and quick, Antipasto Salad needs only about 15 minutes of prep. Romaine and arugula are topped with salami, prosciutto, artichokes, olives, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, and bocconcini, then dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Serve it as a main with bread or as a fresh side beside one of the pasta dishes.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Salad
Shrimp Alfredo
Weeknight-friendly and creamy, Shrimp Alfredo is ready in about 30 minutes. Fettuccine is tossed with shrimp, garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan, and parsley. It adds a seafood choice alongside the tomato sauces and baked pastas. Pair it with a simple green salad for an easy Saturday supper at home.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Alfredo
Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap
Skip another full holiday plate with Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap, ready in 23 minutes. Chicken breast, romaine, and Parmesan meet Caesar dressing made from lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and anchovy paste inside flour tortillas. Roll everything in flour tortillas and serve with fruit or a small salad for a quick meal between Thanksgiving gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap
Spicy Lasagna Soup
Brothy and bold, Spicy Lasagna Soup brings familiar lasagna flavors to the table in about 35 minutes. Spicy Italian sausage, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, lasagna noodles, mozzarella, and Parmesan bring the familiar pieces together. Adjust the heat to taste, then serve it with bread when a full baked casserole feels like too much work.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Lasagna Soup
Chicken Piccata
Tangy and lightly savory, Chicken Piccata takes about 55 minutes from start to finish. Chicken breasts are coated with flour and Parmesan, then finished with butter, white wine, chicken broth, lemon juice, and parsley. Serve it with pasta or potatoes for a satisfying dinner after the holiday cooking slows down at home.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata
Three Cheese Manicotti
Oven-ready and filling, Three Cheese Manicotti takes about 65 minutes. The filling combines ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan with eggs and herbs, while spaghetti sauce covers the pasta before baking. It is a practical choice when you want a meal that can go straight from the oven to the table, with salad on the side.
Get the Recipe: Three Cheese Manicotti
Mushroom Risotto
Quiet stovetop cooking suits Mushroom Risotto, which takes about 50 minutes. Porcini, chestnut, and portobello mushrooms cook with garlic, rosemary, risotto rice, white wine, and vegetable stock; cheddar adds richness to the finished dish. Stirring the rice makes this a hands-on meal, so choose it when you have time to step away from holiday errands and stay near the stove.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Risotto
Baked Ziti
No need for another turkey dinner when Baked Ziti can be ready in about an hour. Ziti, sweet Italian sausage, tomato, garlic, basil, mozzarella, and Parmesan bring the casserole together, making it easy to portion for a group or keep as leftovers. Add a green salad and bread for a full spread without putting turkey back at the center of dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ziti
Lamb Bolognese
Compared with the usual beef base, Lamb Bolognese simmers for about 55 minutes. Ground lamb simmers with onion, celery, carrots, tomato sauce, tomato paste, broth, and thyme before being served with linguine and Parmesan. It gives the weekend menu an Italian-style pasta option that feels distinct from holiday leftovers, especially alongside a simple green salad.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Bolognese
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Chilly evenings call for a bowl of Chicken Gnocchi Soup, ready in about an hour. Chicken breast and gnocchi simmer with onion, carrots, celery, broth, cream, Parmesan, and spinach, so the bowl includes both protein and vegetables. Serve it with focaccia or crusty bread when the weather calls for soup and the table needs a break from turkey.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Focaccia Bread
Set aside some weekend time for Focaccia Bread, which needs about three hours including its rise. The dough uses flour, warm water, yeast, and olive oil, then gets finished with flaky salt and rosemary. Serve pieces beside soup or salad, or use them to round out one of the pasta dinners when the weekend calls for something homemade.
Get the Recipe: Focaccia Bread