15 Easy Italian Antipasti Ideas For Novice Chefs & Beginners
Antipasti are traditional Italian starter dishes you enjoy before your main meal. From cured meats and juicy olives to divine cheeses, anchovies, and artichokes, antipasti is all about sublime ingredients and simple recipes. It’s allll about the flavour here.
Whether you’re throwing an Italian-themed dinner party or want to switch up your evening routine, making antipasti at home is always a good idea. But don’t worry. You don’t need to be a pro chef to nail these popular starters.
Scroll down to see the best easy Italian antipasti ideas. And we mean easy — you can perfect these no matter your kitchen experience!
1. Tomato Bruschetta
Bruschetta is a timeless classic for a reason. This is one of the easiest antipasti ideas to prepare, and it’s always a hit with guests. Opt for ripe tomatoes and flaky sea salt to perfect this recipe.
2. Salted Anchovies
Anchovies are a must in Italian cuisine. For the best results, pair them with fresh bread and olive oil or butter. Add salsa verde for extra flavour.
3. Aubergine Parmigiana
Parmigiana is a northern Italian recipe consisting of aubergines and parmesan cheese layers. Add some tomatoes if you want! When done, you then bake it to perfection.
Want to taste before you cook? We have vegetarian aubergine parmigiana on the Cafe LoveLife tapas menu.
4. Grilled Artichokes
Artichokes are a central part of antipasti and are one of the easiest to prepare. Carefully grill them and then cover them in lemon aioli or fresh lemon juice for an unforgettable taste. Don’t forget to save a few to pair as a side with your main dish!
5. Fresh Focaccia
When isn’t fresh bread a good idea? Focaccia is an ideal match for an antipasto spread, and you can jazz it up as much or as little as you want. For minimal palettes, pair it with sea salt and rosemary. Add olives, garlic, tomatoes, and other Italian veggies if you want a unique taste.
Want to try making it yourself? We found this great (and easy) recipe from TinEats.
6. Buffalo Mozzarella
Buffalo mozzarella is another staple on antipasti menus worldwide. You can have creamy buffalo mozzarella on its own, or you can add salt, olive oil, vinegar, and tomatoes to make it extra tasty.
7. Crostini and Prosciutto
Crostini is crispy, golden bread topped with meat, cheese, or vegetables. One of the best ways to serve this dish is with prosciutto ham and fresh olive oil. If you and your guests are cheese fans, feel free to add generous amounts of Parmigiano Reggiano.
8. Arancini
Arancini is yet another classic that foodies can’t get enough of. These are crispy fried rice balls with a cheesy centre. Ideal for starters and cocktail party plates.
Of all the options on this page, arancini requires the most prep. But they’re worth it, we promise!
9. Pan-Fried Sea Bream
Looking for a five-star pescatarian plate? Sea bream is always a winner. Pan fry the fillets and add pesto and arugula salad for an Italian-approved finish.
Or add anchovy butter, like we do at Cafe LoveLife.
10. Mozzarella and Grilled Courgette
Let the simple flavours sing with fresh mozzarella and grilled courgette. This is an extremely minimal recipe, but it does wonders every time. As always, don’t hold back with the olive oil.
Prefer salads? Pair your grilled courgette with lemon and mint for a vegan treat — just like the one on the LoveLife tapas menu.
11. Broad Bean & Feta Bruschetta
Tomato bruschetta is one of the most well-known easy Italian antipasto recipes. However, you can mix up the track by swapping tomatoes for broad beans and feta, like this amazing recipe from Jamie Oliver. Add some garlic olive oil if you want extra flavour.
12. Beef Carpaccio
Many of the antipasti options on this list are veggie, but there are plenty of meat options if you want a balanced spread! Beef carpaccio is one of those timeless options you can’t ignore.
Season thin beef tenderloin with lemon juice, rosemary, capers, and, of course, olive oil for a restaurant-like finish.
13. Fried Whitebait
Get ready for crunchy goodness. Fried whitebait is an antipasti favourite, and for good reason. Fry these tiny fish to perfection and pair them with dill mayonnaise for a creamy finish.
14. Caprese Salad
Caprese salad is a must when it comes to Italian food, especially if you want something lighter before a big meal. Mix mozzarella, tomato, basil, and onions with virgin olive oil to capture the essence of this Capri-based dish.
15. Polenta Fries
Polenta is a northern Italian favourite. It’s essentially cornmeal that’s boiled, cooled, and solidified into a loaf. You can then fry it, bake it, and grill it.
Polenta fries are a great way to embrace this ingredient. We pair ours with truffle oil and manchego. But you can season them as you wish, Jamie Oliver does it with pesto!
Italian Antipasti in Birmingham With Cafe LoveLife
At Cafe LoveLife, we’re passionate about authentic Italian and Mediterranean food. Our new tapas menu combines some of the best Italian antipasti recipes with other classic tapas favourites, taking you on a culinary journey through the Med and beyond.