20 Italian starter recipes

Burrata al tartufo

Taking 15 minutes to make, this starter of oozing, milky burrata with mushroom and truffles will impress at your next dinner party. We have Covent Garden’s Ave Mario to thank for the recipe.

’Nduja arancini

Italian restaurant Bancone's perfectly formed and crunchy 'nduja arancini, laced with Grano Padano and saffron, makes for an easy yet impressive starter with a kick.

Melon, mozzarella and parma ham tartines

This quick starter is easily scaled and doesn't scrimp on style or substance - combine shaved, salty parma ham with juicy ripe melon and creamy mozzarella.

Italian scotch olives

Italian scotch olives make a great starter or nibble to serve with drinks. This recipe comes from Italian restaurant Luca.

Puntarelle salad with anchovies and capers

Puntarelle, a bitter green plant popular in Italy, features in this salad from Ombra restaurant's Mitshel Ibrahim. If you’re after a light, fresh salad to serve at your Italian dinner party, this is a fail-safe recipe.

Sicilian salad

This typically Sicilian-style salad of watermelon, chicory and salty pecorinos, topped with toasted pistachios and fennel herb, is a great starter to serve to friends and family at an Italian-style dinner party.

Grilled vegetable antipasti

An impressive, make-ahead option to serve at an Italian dinner party. Grill these vibrant veggies and serve alongside fresh focaccia, plenty of olives and cured meats.

Grilled peaches with burrata

For a bright and colourful salad that acts as the perfect Italian starter, check out this combination of juicy peaches, creamy burrata and salty serrano ham.

Italian flatbread with pear, walnut and gorgonzola

Kick off a classic Italian meal with a molten cheesy flatbread, featuring a dazzling combination of gorgonzola, pears and walnuts.

Figs with Grana Padano and pink peppercorn dressing

Finely grated Grana Padano in the dressing provides a creamy, piquant contrast to sweet figs in this vibrant Italian starter, a dish that's guaranteed to satisfy everyone at the table.

Focaccia

Who can say no to focaccia? Satisfy your guests with this moreish and springy Italian bread, glistening with olive oil and studded with rosemary.

Chicory with mixed pulses and grains

Italian restaurant Bancone's chicory salad, starring lentils, borlotti beans and crunchy panko breadcrumbs, is an easy yet show-off starter for your Italian dinner party.

Marinated figs with mozzarella and serrano ham

This simple Italian assortment of figs, creamy mozzarella, salty serrano ham and peppery rocket is easy to assemble yet offers impressive results, perfect for a starter without any of the fuss.

Tomato salad with burrata and ‘nduja sauce

A punchy 'nduja sauce is the perfect counterbalance to creamy burrata and vibrant tomatoes in this fresh Italian salad, ideal for a summery dinner party starter.

Broad bean and mint panzanella with burrata

For your next Italian dinner party with friends, why not open the evening with this broad bean and mint panzanella with burrata? It packs in plenty of salty flavours which offset the creamy burrata and fresh broad beans.

Tomatoes and lardo on toast with basil oil

For your first course, whip up a plateful of crunchy toasted sourdough with velvety lardo and juicy tomatoes as part of an antipasti at an Italian-style get-together.

Marinated melon and bocconcini

Make a plate of bocconcini, paired with sweet honeyed melon, for a retro Italian salad to present at your next dinner party.

Ricotta gnudi with sage butter

If you’re looking for an Italian-style starter that'll wow your guests, have a go at making these delicate, light-as-air ricotta gnudi in a dreamy pool of sage butter.

Cannellini bean, chilli and lemon bruschetta

This colourful Italian bruschetta topped with cannellini, chilli and lemon is ready in just 25 minutes, making it a dependable starter to serve at your Italian dinner party.