Love Italian food? You might be ordering all the wrong dishes! Here are 25 overrated menu items to skip and what to get instead.
Whether it’s an inauthentic twist or simply overpriced, these dishes might not be the best choice for your palate or wallet. Discover authentic alternatives that Italian chefs would approve of and elevate your dining experience.
1. Chicken Parmesan
The classic Americanized dish tries to pass off battered chicken under marinara and cheese as Italian. It’s often heavy, greasy, and far from tradition.
Instead, go for Eggplant Parmesan. This dish showcases tender eggplant layered with authentic tomato sauce and fresh basil, capturing the soul of Southern Italy without the fuss of breaded meat.
2. Spaghetti and Meatballs
A Hollywood invention that rarely graces the streets of Rome, spaghetti and meatballs often suffer from overcooked pasta and overly saucy meat.
Real Italian kitchens favor Tagliatelle al Ragù, a slow-cooked, richly layered Bolognese served over fresh pasta. It offers depth and balance that makes every bite a celebration of Italian tradition.
3. Fettuccine Alfredo
In Italy, Alfredo is almost a myth. The creamy sauce, made with heavy cream and butter, is a far cry from Italian simplicity.
For a genuine taste of Italian creaminess, try Pasta alla Carbonara. Its silky sauce, built on eggs, Pecorino Romano, and guanciale, delivers a rich yet nuanced flavor profile that honors tradition.
4. Garlic Bread
Drenched in heaps of butter and garlic, this dish is more American comfort food than Italian delicacy. It often overshadows the subtle flavors of true Italian bread.
Skip it and opt for Bruschetta with Fresh Tomatoes. This rustic starter features toasted bread rubbed with garlic, crowned with ripe tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil—a far more vibrant and authentic choice.
5. Hawaiian Pizza
Pineapple on pizza is a divisive trend. Italians would scoff at the notion, as it disrupts the delicate balance of savory flavors.
Instead, order a Margherita Pizza or Diavola. These options highlight the art of simple, quality ingredients—fresh basil, mozzarella, and a spicy kick—keeping the focus on tradition and taste.
6. Pepperoni Pizza
In Italy, “pepperoni” means bell peppers. The American version loaded with spicy sausage is far removed from Italian roots.
For a real kick, try a Salame Piccante Pizza. This option brings in authentic, slightly spicy cured salami that sings with true Italian flavor and balance.
7. Mozzarella Sticks
Often served as a greasy bar snack, these battered sticks of cheese miss the mark of Italian freshness and simplicity.
Seek out Fresh Burrata with Tomatoes instead. This dish offers creamy, luscious cheese paired with vine-ripened tomatoes, highlighting quality over gimmicks.
8. Stuffed Crust Pizza
The idea of cheese hidden in the crust is an American invention that dilutes the purity of pizza. The focus should be on a thin, crispy base topped with simple ingredients.
Order a Pizza Napoletana instead. Its soft, chewy center with a charred, blistered edge and minimal toppings remains true to the Italian pizza heritage.
9. Overloaded Lasagna
Extra cheese and multiple layers of sauce might sound indulgent, but Americanized lasagna often becomes a soggy, overwhelming mess.
Try Lasagna alla Bolognese for a refined experience. Its balanced layers of pasta, meat ragù, and béchamel sauce create a harmonious dish that respects traditional proportions.
10. Pasta With Chicken
Chicken and pasta rarely mingle in Italian cuisine. The combination feels forced and lacks the authenticity of true regional dishes.
For a vibrant twist, order Pasta alla Norma. This Sicilian specialty uses eggplant, tomato, basil, and ricotta salata to create a beautifully balanced vegetarian dish.
11. Pasta Primavera
A dish born in the U.S. that tries to mimic freshness but often results in a bland, overloaded mix of vegetables without a unifying flavor.
Instead, choose Pasta con Zucchine e Ricotta. Simple sautéed zucchini combined with fresh ricotta and a hint of lemon perfectly captures the Italian essence of seasonal eating.
12. Shrimp Scampi
While shrimp are delightful, the traditional Italian version, Scampi alla Griglia, is grilled simply to enhance their natural sweetness.
Avoid the saucy, butter-drenched American version and opt for a lightly grilled shrimp dish. A squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of parsley highlight the true flavor of the sea.
13. Pasta With Alfredo Sauce And Shrimp
Mixing seafood with a heavy cream sauce disrupts the delicate balance of flavors that Italian cuisine cherishes.
For a proper seafood pasta, try Spaghetti alle Vongole. This dish features clams simmered in a light, aromatic broth with garlic and white wine, offering a pure taste of the ocean.
14. Balsamic-Glazed Everything
Overuse of balsamic glaze has become a trend in American kitchens, diluting its original purpose. Its overly sweet tang can overwhelm other flavors.
Instead, enjoy an Insalata Caprese. Fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil lightly dressed with olive oil and a pinch of salt let each ingredient shine in its own right.
15. Marinara Pasta With Meat
Marinara is traditionally a meat-free sauce that lets the flavor of tomatoes and herbs flourish without distraction.
If you’re craving meat, turn to Pappardelle al Cinghiale. This wild boar ragù is hearty yet artfully balanced, offering a rich taste of the Italian countryside without muddying the marinara tradition.
16. Caesar Salad
Although widely popular, Caesar Salad was invented in Mexico and bears little resemblance to any Italian dish. Its dressing and crunchy croutons feel out of place.
For a truly Italian salad, try Insalata di Rucola e Parmigiano. The peppery arugula paired with shaved Parmesan and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil brings a simple yet elegant start to your meal.
17. Overcomplicated Risotto
Modern renditions can sometimes pack too many ingredients into what should be a simple, comforting dish. True risotto is celebrated for its creamy, understated elegance.
Stick with Risotto alla Milanese or Risotto ai Funghi. These classics use minimal ingredients—saffron or wild mushrooms—to create a dish that highlights the beauty of Italian simplicity.
18. Deep-Dish “Italian” Pizza
Originating in Chicago, deep-dish pizza is a far cry from Italy’s light, artisanal pies. Its doughy, heavy base overshadows any fresh flavors.
For an authentic taste, choose Pizza Romana or Pizza al Taglio. These styles offer a crisp, thin crust with quality toppings that honor the art of Italian pizza making.
19. Cold, Store-Bought Tiramisu
Mass-produced tiramisu often misses the mark with a lackluster texture and artificial flavor. It loses the creamy, delicate charm of the original dessert.
Search for a spot that serves Fresh, Housemade Tiramisu. The velvety mascarpone, espresso-soaked ladyfingers, and a dusting of cocoa create an unforgettable finale to an Italian meal.
20. Overloaded Antipasto Platters
When anti-pasto turns into a heaping plate of processed meats and bland cheeses, it strays far from Italian culinary art. Quality and balance are lost in the shuffle.
A simple Prosciutto e Melone does wonders instead. The sweet, juicy melon paired with delicate, salty prosciutto offers a refined, traditional starter that truly excites the palate.
21. Pasta With Lobster In Cream Sauce
While lobster is a luxurious treat, pairing it with heavy cream undermines its delicate flavor. It results in a dish that’s overly rich and unbalanced.
For a sophisticated alternative, try Linguine all’Astice. The lobster is gently cooked in a light tomato sauce with herbs, preserving its natural sweetness while keeping the dish refined.
22. Pizza With Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing on pizza is an American innovation that disrupts the subtle flavors of a well-made pie. Italians prefer their pizza simple, relying on olive oil or nothing at all.
Instead, dip your crust in extra virgin olive oil with a pinch of sea salt. It enhances the pizza’s natural character without overwhelming its traditional charm.
23. Overloaded, Cheese-Stuffed Ravioli
Too much cheese can drown delicate pasta in an overpowering, greasy mess. Authentic Italian ravioli should be a balanced interplay of pasta and filling.
Opt for Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci. This classic features a light, well-seasoned ricotta and spinach filling, wrapped in fresh pasta that lets subtle flavors take center stage.
24. Overly Sweet Cannoli
Cannoli should be a harmonious blend of a crisp shell and lightly sweetened ricotta, not a sugar overload. Excessive sweetness masks the nuanced flavors of the filling.
Choose a proper Cannolo Siciliano instead. Its crunchy shell and subtly sweet, creamy filling offer a balanced dessert that captures the true spirit of Sicilian pastry.
25. Fried Calamari With Marinara Sauce
Deep-fried calamari often suffers from a heavy batter and an overabundance of marinara, which drowns out the natural, briny taste of fresh squid.
A more authentic approach is to serve calamari simply with lemon. Lightly grilled or quickly sautéed, it retains its delicate texture and bright, oceanic flavor.