People of Italian heritage are one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States. When Italians emigrated to America, they brought with them many aspects of their own culture, including their traditional cuisine. Over the years, these dishes have been adapted to suit the American culture, so there are now many Italian influenced dishes that are a normal part of the cuisine in the United States and are regularly cooked in homes across America. Here are some of the favorite Italian-American Dishes.
Pizza
Pizza has become just as much a part of American cuisine as it is a traditional Italian dish. Not only is this a dish that is eaten in homes across the nation, it is also one of the most popular fast foods in the United States. Two of the most popular varieties are the simple Margherita and pizza topped with pepperoni.
Pasta Bolognese
The American take on spaghetti Bolognese, an Italian classic, is penne pasta coated in a meaty Bolognese sauce. Each family has their own recipe for this dish so it can vary significantly from one home to the next.
Eggplant Parmesan
The original Italian version of this dish is called parmigiana and consists of sliced eggplants layered with mozzarela and parmesan and then baked in the oven. In the United States version, tomato sauce is generlly added to the dish, while eggs and breadcrumbs are added to make a crispy topping.
Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Meatballs are a favorite in most American households. Again, this is a dish that varies from one home to the next with people substituting or adding ingredients to suit their own tastes. They are generally served in tomato sauce and served with spaghetti or other varieties of pasta.
Chicken Parmesan Heros
A fantastic snack food that is inspired by a combination of Italian ingredients is chicken parmesan heros. These crispy bread rolls are filled with chicken topped with marinara sauce and parmesan to make a gooey sandwich filling.
Penne with Sausage
Most households keep a bag of penne pasta in their store cupboard as it is such a cheap and versatile ingredient. A popular way of serving this pasta in households in the United States is to make a bake using pasta and sausages in tomato sauce topped with cheese.
