From Paesana, With Love

Storytelling is a side dish perfectly paired with all food, but especially with Italian meals. As families and friends congregate around tables for hours on end, they often pass around daily anecdotes along with platters of pasta and meat. This is the beauty of dining with Italians—food doesn't merely feed the body, it nourishes the soul in a celebration of life, love and community. Join Paesana as we take you on a journey through the many aspects of our process, from our kitchen to yours.

Penne ala vodka on plate with utensils and tomatoes on the side

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food, sauce, Vodka Sauce, penne alla vodka, penne

The Story Behind The Sauce: Vodka

Vodka sauce dishes such as penne alla vodka burst onto the Italian food scene in the 1970s, but did it originate in New York or Italy?

Lobster Fra Diavolo on modern plate

pasta, italian food, lobster, seafood, Fra Diavolo, Marinara

Clawfully Good Italian Lobster Dishes

Celebrate National Lobster Day on June 15 with three of Paesana’s favorite seafood pasta meals.

The coast of Calabria Italy on the water

pasta, italian food, cured meat, seafood, pork, fish, salami, meat, regional

Regional Italian Cuisine: Calabria

In the southwest tip of Italy lies Calabria, sun-baked region of rugged mountains, old-fashioned villages, dramatic coastline, and la cucina povera.

Side by side shots of tortellini and ravioli dishes from overhead

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food, pork, Marinara

What’s The Difference Between Ravioli & Tortellini?

Ravioli are square and tortellini are ring shaped, but both make for hearty meals and are filled with cheese, meat, and more.

Frittata with eggs, spinach and mushrooms on plate with fork

italian food, holidays, lasagna, pesto, italian desserts, risotto

An Italian Mother’s Day

Whether cooking for momma, with her, or in memory of her, these Italian dishes are a wonderful way to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Fresh Assorted Italian Breads in basket with great lighting

Pasta Sauce, italian food, sauce, cured meat, salami, bread

The Wonder Of Italian Bread

Paesana opens the oven to review the bread of multiple Italian regions.

Casatiello o tortano napoletano on table with powdered sugar sprinkled around

italian food, holidays, pork, italian desserts

Italian Easter Feast

The food traditions of Easter Sunday in an Italian household rival that of any other holiday.

pasta, italian food, Fra Diavolo, Barbecue Pizza Sauce, Marsala, lasagna, beef

Cuisine Hopping: Italian-Mexican Food Fusion

Paesana gets creative in the kitchen, cooking Mexican-style food using our own Italian ingredients.

Close up of mushroom risotto

italian food, artichokes, red peppers, salad, risotto, vegetables

The Best Italian Dishes To Celebrate Spring

Paesana presents our favorite springtime meals to cook when winter finally melts away.

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food, pizza, dry pasta, risotto, polenta

How To Transform Italian Favorites Into Vegan Meals

People who love Italian food, but aren’t so fond of meat have a lot of delicious options.

Closeup of osso buco made of cross cut veal shank with oranges and tomatoes

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food, holidays, veal, risotto

Most Romantic Italian Meals

Paesana’s top dishes to cook for someone you love on Valentine’s Day and any other occasion.

Landscape view of Bergama Alta skyline in Italy

pasta, italian food, pork, italian desserts, veal, beef, regional

Regional Italian Cuisine: Lombardy

Paesana treks upward on the map to cultivate the many flavors of the northern Italian countryside.

Raw pasta - Linguine, Bucatini, Fettucine, Spaghetti

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food, fresh pasta, dry pasta

Let’s Talk About Pasta: Spaghetti, Linguine, Fettuccine & Bucatini

Paesana examines the similarities and differences between the long strands of pasta we love to twirl around a fork.

Italian antipasti wine snacks set: cheese variety, Mediterranean olives, pickles, Prosciutto di Parma, tomatoes, artichokes and wine in glasses

Pasta Sauce, italian food, holidays, christmas, pizza, olives, condiments, appetizers

Paesana’s Quick Italian Appetizers

We’ve got some ideas for quick Italian appetizers that are perfect for a small holiday gathering.

Christmas panettone cake with raisins, fruit and wine

holidays, christmas, italian desserts

Paesana’s Five Favorite Holiday Desserts

This array of Italian sweet treats completes your holiday table spread.

Collage of recipes - Chicken Cacciatore, Baked Ziti, Shrimp Fra Diavolo and Shrimp Fra Diavolo

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food, thanksgiving, holidays, christmas

The Italian Day Of Rest

Before you start planning your Italian-American Christmas, enjoy simple times in the kitchen with Paesana.

Thanksgiving spread with all the fixings on a contemporary classic table

pasta, carbonara, thanksgiving, holidays, ragu, bolognese

Thanksgiving Leftovers: Italian Style

Don’t despair over loads of leftovers—make these Italian-style meals with all your turkey day trimmings.

Beautiful landscape of hillside home in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

pasta, italian food, cured meat, pork, prosciutto, cheese, regional

Regional Italian Cuisine: Emilia-Romagna

Nestled between the Alps and the Apennines, Emilia-Romagna serves up a food culture that rivals all other Italian regions.

Collage of Pasta Dishes

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food, Fra Diavolo, Marinara, spaghetti, rigatoni, penne

Lotsa Pastabilities

Paesana celebrates National Pasta Month with everything you need to know about cooking pasta.

Overhead shot of lasagna dish with olive oil, tomatoes and bread

Pasta Sauce, italian food, chicken, pizza, lasagna, spaghetti, roast chicken

The Very Best Italian Comfort Foods

Paesana believes that food can be a warm hug when times are tough and stress is high.

Overhead view of garlic bread with garlic cloves surrounding

pasta, italian food, artichokes, salad, garlic, cheese

5 Italian Side Dishes That Take Center Stage

Paesana takes a look at a menu of Italian side dishes that go beyond pasta and sauce.

upclose shot of uncooked penne, ziti and rigatoni

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food, dry pasta, rigatoni, penne, ziti

Let’s Talk About Pasta: Comparing Penne, Ziti, and Rigatoni

They look similar, but short-tube pasta, such as penne, ziti, and rigatoni differ in texture, shape, and application.

Homemade marinara sauce in a bowl with basil around it

Pasta Sauce, italian food, Sunday sauce, Marinara

The Story Behind The Sauce: Marinara

Travel back in time with Paesana to learn how Marinara Sauce became an Italian classic.

roasted branzino on a wood cutting board with lemons on the side

italian food, seafood, fish, shellfish, shrimp

An Italian Deep-Sea Dive

Italy’s many coastal cities reel in food lovers with a vast collection of oceanic cuisine.

Sicily Italy landscape with water and homes in background

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food, meatballs, antipasti, sardines, meat, regional

Regional Italian Cuisine: Sicily

The Italian island of Sicily is home to some of the most unique and fresh cuisine in the entire country.

Italian Table Setting with people eating scrumptous pasta

Pasta Sauce, italian food, antipasti, italian desserts, al fresco, veal, roast chicken, salad

An Italian Al Fresco Summer Dinner

Adorned with fresh ingredients and bright flavors, an outdoor Italian meal is the perfect summer serenade.

a piece of tiramisu cake

italian desserts, tiramisu, Naples, cannoli, sfogliatelle, panna cotta, tartufo

Italian Desserts We’re Sweet On

Italian desserts burst with unique flavors, and an undeniable charm that’s straight from the old world.

Cooking table with olive oil, cheese and a fresh bowl of pesto sauce

Pasta Sauce, pasta, basil, pesto

Why We Love Pesto Sauce

Bright, green, and pleasantly aromatic, pesto is the pasta sauce of a different color.

Dish with Chicken Parmigiana and Garlic Bread to the left

Pasta Sauce, italian food, chicken, chicken parmigiana

The Story Behind Chicken Parmigiana

How chicken parmigiana became an Italian-American staple in restaurants and home kitchens.

Duck Ragu with Papardelle

italian food, christmas, ragu, duck ragu, duck, italian-american duck

Italian-Style Duck: How The Mallard Fits The Bill

The Italian-American take on duck includes many preparations, all of which deliver robust and rich flavors.

Naples Italy

italian food, seafood, pizza, calamari, fritto misto de mare, ragu, Naples, pastries, regional

Regional Italian Cuisine: Naples

A deep dive into the rich contents of a Neapolitan cookbook, including pizza, pasta, and pastries.

Italian Herbs on white countertop

italian food, seasoning, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary

A Blend For All Seasons: What's In Italian Seasoning Packets?

An aromatic mix of oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram bring Italian flavor to a host of dishes.

Bolognese: The Allure Of Italian Meat Sauce

Pasta Sauce, meat, bolognese

Bolognese: The Allure Of Italian Meat Sauce

Hearty and deeply flavored, bolognese is the full-bodied pasta sauce you need for a filling meal.

The Italian-American Vegetable Department

pasta, italian food, sauce

The Italian-American Vegetable Department

Hearty and healthy vegetables round out the perfect Italian-American menu.

Olives, pasta, and other cooking ingredients

olives, cauliflower, artichokes, mushrooms, kitchen pantry, red peppers

Notes From A Well-Stocked Pantry

There’s more than a few cabinet essentials that should always be within reach in your kitchen.

Family Favorites You Can Cook At Home With Paesana

pasta, italian food, meatballs, sauce, Marsala, lasagna, penne alla vodka, shrimp fra diavolo, spaghetti

Family Favorites You Can Cook At Home With Paesana

When you just can’t get to your favorite Italian restaurant, try a homemade version of these classic family favorites.

assortment of fried seafood

italian food, seafood, fish, shellfish, calamari, fritto misto de mare, sardines

Fritto Misto de Mare: Italian Fried Seafood

Italian-style fried seafood is a simple way to feast on the ocean’s bounty.

assortment of cured meats on cutting board

italian food, cured meat, speck, carbonara, pork, prosciutto, guanciale, pancetta, antipasti, lardo

Get To Know Italian Cured Meats

What’s the difference between Italian pork specialties guanciale, pancetta, prosciutto, speck, and lardo?

assortment of dried pastas

pasta, italian food, sauce, fresh pasta, dry pasta

Fresh Pasta vs. Dry Pasta: Boiling Down The Differences

When cooking an Italian meal, is fresh pasta or dry pasta the better option?

Chicken Cacciatore dish

italian food, sauce, chicken, chicken cutlets, chicken thighs, chicken parmigiana, chicken cacciatore, cutlets

Bird Is The Word: The Very Best Italian-American Chicken Dishes

Chicken is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Check out our favorite Italian-American chicken dishes.

assortment of dishes on a table including fish, spaghetti with seafood, bread

Pasta Sauce, italian food, sauce, holidays, christmas, lobster, seafood, fish, anchovies, Marinara

Feast Of The Seven Fishes: An Italian-American Christmas Eve Legacy

Christmas is the time of traditions—like the Italian-American Feast of the Seven Fishes.

family celebrating thanksgiving

Pasta Sauce, italian food, meatballs, sauce, thanksgiving, holidays

An Italian-American Thanksgiving

More than merely turkey and stuffing, an Italian-American Thanksgiving brings plenty of pasta and sauce to the table.

pepperoni pizza

italian food, pizza, pizza toppings, sausage, New York pizza, pepperoni

Pizza: A Slice Of Life

Hot and piping from the oven, there’s nothing quite like a delicious pizza with your favorite toppings and pizza sauce.

anchovies sitting on a cutting board with some garlic capers and lemon

italian food, seafood, antipasti, fish, anchovies

Something's Fishy: Guide To Italian Anchovies

Pay no attention to the bad reputation—Italian anchovies are a powerhouse ingredient with intense flavors perfect for sauce!

sausages and peppers cooking on a grill

italian food, sausage, sweet italian sausage, hot Italian sausage, salami

Italian Sausage Party

The most tubular of Italian meats, the mighty sausage has been a staple of meal time since it was first stuffed into a casing.

Jar of Paesana Fra Diavolo Sauce

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food, sauce, Fra Diavolo

Fra Diavolo: The Bedeviling Origins Of This Fiery Sauce

Adding red pepper to classic tomato sauce, Fra Diavolo is known for bringing hot and spicy flavor to Italian cuisine.

jars of pasta sauce with no label sitting on table

premium private label, white label

Consumers Want Premium Private Label Products

National brand loyalty isn’t what it used to be, as a new generation of shoppers seeks quality and value from private labels.

upclose shot of braciole

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food, meatballs, sauce, braciole, Sunday sauce

Why We Love Braciole In A Sunday Sauce

An all-day Sunday sauce needs meat for deeper flavor, and braciole is a delicious option that also happens to bring the family together.

bird eye of view of assorted pasta dishes

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food, sauce

Classic Pasta & Sauce Pairings That Are Perfetto Italiano

Pasta and sauce were made for each, especially in these classically legendary Italian dishes.

upclose photo of shrimp and clams in pasta sauce

italian food, sauce, lobster, seafood, fish, cioppino, shellfish

Cioppino: The Real San Francisco Treat

How a rustic seafood stew made the trip from Italy to the shores of America and eventually to the west coast.

up close shot of spaghetti with  meatballs

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food, meatballs, sauce

An American Meatball

Invented by this country’s first Italian-Americans, the modern-day meatball is a densely packed culinary classic.

Different types of pasta shapes sitting on wooden spatulas

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food

A Brief History of Pasta Shapes & Sizes

Pasta literally comes in hundreds of shapes and sizes, all with varying origin stories. Several well-known types include stringy spaghetti, tube-like rigatoni, shell-shaped cavatelli, and stuffed ravioli, among others.

marinara sauce sitting in a jar container

Pasta Sauce, pasta, italian food, sauce

A Guide To Pasta Sauce

From Marinara and Pomodoro to Alfredo and Carbonara, every pasta sauce is unique. Here’s a savory rundown of some of the most popular, along with brief histories and modern applications of these Italian specialties.