Italian cooking is known for hearty entrées and large meals but the beloved cooking traditions of Italy include fabulous appetizers, too. Try these quick and easy Italian appetizers and add wonderfully flavorful flare to holiday meals.
Baked Mozzarella Sticks
Who needs grease-filled fried mozzarella sticks when a healthier, tastier alternative is so easy to make? Bake your own mozzarella sticks by rolling out individual servings of Il Villaggio Mozzarella into tubes and dousing them with panko. Add Italian seasoning and bake until crisp. Serve with marinara sauce and enjoy the delicious acidity as it cuts through our famously creamy cheese.
Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
Here’s a great example of how something simple becomes a gourmet sensation with Il Villaggio in the mix. Mashed potatoes are familiar to everyone, but with Mascarpone mixed in they become incredibly fluffy and delicious. Mix in the cheese just like you would sour cream – the flavor is so big it deserves to stand alone as an appetizer instead of a side dish.
Romano Cream Cheese Yogurt Dip
No party is complete without dip! Flavorful, creamy dip is just a few minutes away when you combine Romano Cheese, Greek yogurt, cream cheese and a dash of parsley. Serve with carrot sticks and pita bread. Four ounces of cream cheese, 1/3 cup of Romano Cheese and ½ cup of Greek yogurt is a delicious ratio.
Figs Stuffed with Gorgonzola Cheese
Sweet figs make a delicious pairing for our savory Gorgonzola cheese. Try stuffing ripe figs with the cheese and serve them with toothpicks for a no fuss Hors d’oeuvre.
Toast with Cranberries, Prosciutto & Ricotta
Open-faced sandwiches make easy appetizers that look as good as they taste. Top sliced Italian bread with thinly sliced prosciutto or ham, Ricotta Cheese and sweetened cranberries or cherries for a festive snack.
