Why Your Favorite Italian Foods Don’t Exist in Italy

When you go to Italy, how will you know you’re noshing on actual authentic Italian food? It shocks many Americans that what they think of Italian food doesn’t exist in Italy. After reading this, you’ll know just how to order your favorite Italian foods- the authentic way!

The pizza? Yes.

The pasta? Yes. 

The chicken parm? Well, no.

In Rome, you won’t find spaghetti and meatballs. You will find pasta alla carbonara in Trastevere. In Firenze, you won’t find pepperoni pizza. You will discover fiorentina steak in Florence—Tuscan t-bone. In Venice, you won’t find fettuccine alfredo. You will discover squid-ink risotto in Venice, Italy.

What’s the Difference between Food in Italy and Italian Food in America?

It turns out that authentic Italian food is not the same as Italian-American cooking. Italy is more like a federation of different countries than a uniform place. The union of 20 regions creates Italy, each with its history, dialects, and foods. The food you’ll find in Naples has nothing to do with the food you’ll try in Milan.

Understanding Real Italian Food vs. American Italian Dishes

To help you understand the difference between American “Italian” and the food in Italy, below, you’ll find our travel experts’ primer on authentic Italian food. 

Here’s an introduction to authentic Italian food vs. Italian-American food:

What Are Authentic Italian Meatballs Like?

When Americans think of Italian restaurants, spaghetti and meatballs spring to mind. Italians find this very funny since you won’t find meatballs on a pile of pasta in Italy. But, Italians do serve polpette on their own – either with or without tomato sauce. Depending on where you are in Italy, you can find “meatballs” made from eggplant, zucchini, or even seafood. 

Does Parmesan Cheese Come from Italy?

There is no “Parmesan” cheese in Italy, or at least not the stuff in the green can. In Italy, you’ll find parmigiano reggiano. The king of cheeses, parmigiano, originates near Parma. The real parmigiano cheese is aged for at least ten months and kept at concrete moisture. In Italy, fresh parmigiano on pasta or an ingredient in savory dishes. Despite being a staple of Italian-American cuisine, “chicken parmesan” is nowhere to be found in Italy. Instead, Italians nosh on parmigiana – eggplant layered with tomato sauce and cheese.

How Do Italians Make Lasagna?

Lasagna – layered with red sauce and ricotta – is common in American and Italian-American kitchens. Many Italian immigrants came to the US from Italy’s South. Not coincidentally, you make Southern Italian lasagna with tomatoes and ricotta. 

American lasagna is a Southern Italian offshoot. For most Italians, lasagne comes from the northern city of Bologna. Bolognese lasagne noodles combined with spinach pasta, a rich meat sauce, and grated parmigiano cheese. So, if you order “lasagna” in Italy, don’t be surprised when green pasta with no ricotta lands on your plate.

What’s Pizza Like in Italy?

Italy is synonymous with pizza. Chewy crust. Zesty tomatoes. Regional varieties of pizza abound in Italy. In Naples, you’ll find the world-famous margherita – a marriage of mozzarella, tomato, and basil. In Sicily, you’ll nibble on sfincione, a thick “pizza” with no tomatoes. And, in Rome, you’ll encounter thin-crust, crispy pizzas. 

Traditionally, Italians do not serve pizza by the slice. You get a whole pizza to yourself. Fair warning: “pepperoni” in Italian means bell peppers. If you want spicy salami on your pizza, you’ll need to ask for a pizza alla diavola. Your favorite Italian foods are now within reach!