Introduction
When it comes to hearty comfort food, rich flavours, and meals that bring people together, nothing beats Italian. Here at Tommy Sugo, we live and breathe Italian cooking every day — whether it’s layering a perfect lasagne or folding delicate ricotta ravioli by hand. And because we’re all about good food and great company, we decided to round up our picks for the top 10 Italian dishes you can’t miss.
We’re not talking about some generic online list here — this comes straight from our team’s real-life kitchen experience, customer favourites, and of course, a few Nonna-approved secrets. So, if you’re in Perth and craving something delicious, read on.
Quick Takeaways:
- Discover our top 10 Italian dishes, ranked by flavour, comfort, and local love
- All dishes are available right here in Perth from Tommy Sugo
- Learn a bit of history, ingredients, and why these classics still wow today
- Featuring both traditional and modern Italian recipes adapted for Australian life
Lasagne – The King of Comfort Food among the top 10 Italian dishes
Why Lasagne Never Goes Out of Style
Layers of pasta, rich sauce, and cheese – what’s not to love? It’s a staple in nearly every Italian home, and we think it tops the list for a reason.
Harvey Beef Lasagne from Tommy Sugo
Our version uses locally sourced Harvey beef, slow-cooked in a tomato base until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender. Add layers of béchamel, and you’ve got a meal that never lasts long.
Tips for Making It at Home
Start with quality ingredients. Don’t rush the sauce. And always give it time to rest before serving – it holds better, tastes better, and slices clean.
Spaghetti Bolognese – A Family Favourite in the top 10 Italian dishes list
Origins of the Dish
Originally from Bologna, this dish has found its way into just about every Australian home. And for good reason — it’s simple, filling, and easy to love.
What Makes Ours Stand Out
We keep the ingredients traditional but use premium WA produce and cook the sauce slowly, giving it time to develop real depth of flavour.
Make It Work For You
Bolognese works beautifully with spaghetti but also pairs well with penne or even stuffed pasta shells. Freeze extras for midweek dinner miracles.
Ricotta Ravioli – The Delicate Star Among Top 10 Italian Dishes
Light, Creamy, and Classic
Ricotta ravioli may look like something fancy, but it’s really just a humble dish done right. A soft cheese filling, some fresh herbs, and delicate pasta — that’s all it takes. It’s this kind of honest cooking that keeps ravioli high on our list of the Top 10 Italian dishes. When you bite into one that’s been made with care, you get a little hit of everything — comfort, flavour, and that light, creamy texture that makes it feel like home. Simple, yes — but unforgettable.
Gluten-Free Option That Still Delivers
Yes, we make it gluten-free too. It took a while to get the texture just right, but now it’s just as good as the original (some say better).
Sauce Pairing Tips
Try it with a sage butter sauce or our fresh tomato sugo — both bring out the creamy filling perfectly.
Gnocchi – Little Pillows of Joy Topping Top 10 Italian Dishes list
Potato vs Ricotta Gnocchi
Ask five people which gnocchi they prefer, and you’ll probably get five different answers. Potato is the go-to for many — classic, filling, familiar. But then there’s ricotta. Softer, lighter, almost cloud-like. We’ve tried both in all kinds of dishes, and honestly, there’s no clear winner. They each bring something special. No surprise they’ve earned their spot in countless Italian food recipes passed down through generations.
Our Favourite: Sweet Potato Gnocchi
This one’s got a bit of a twist. Sweet potato gives it a gentler taste — just a hint of sweetness — and a texture that’s hard to beat. We love how it works with nearly any sauce you throw at it. Tomato for something bright, pesto for depth, or even a creamy mushroom mix on a cool night. You’ll see this variation turning up more and more in modern Italian food recipes, and it’s not hard to see why.
Cooking Without Ruining It
Boil just until they float. Overcooked gnocchi turns mushy fast — keep an eye on the pot!
Cannelloni – Filled to Perfection, Perfecting Top 10 Italian Dishes
Why It Works
Stuff pasta tubes with a flavour-packed filling, cover in sauce, and bake until bubbling — it’s comfort food done right. Easy to prep ahead, even better the next day.
Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni
This one’s a real favourite around here. We load each cannelloni tube with a rich mix of creamy ricotta and fresh spinach, then bake it under layers of tomato sugo and silky béchamel. It comes out golden and bubbling — a proper comfort meal. Dishes like this show up time and again in traditional Italian food recipes, and there’s a good reason: everyone at the table goes back for seconds.
How to Make It Your Own
You don’t always need a plan with cannelloni. Some nights, you’ve got leftover pumpkin, a bit of feta—done. Other times, it’s beef ragu from the weekend, slow-cooked and rich. It just works with what you have. Italian food recipes are like that. There’s room to play, swap, adjust—without ever losing that comforting, homemade feeling
Penne Arrabbiata – The Spicy One Among Top 10 Italian Dishes
Where It Comes From
The name “arrabbiata” literally means “angry” in Italian — and yep, it earns that name. It’s not just any tomato sauce. This one brings heat, thanks to a generous hit of chilli. But behind that fire? A sauce that’s been part of family kitchens for decades. Many classic Italian food recipes keep it simple — tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, chilli — and this one does just that, in the best way.
A Sauce with Punch
We like to keep the flavours fresh and honest. Our version uses real vine tomatoes, garlic, and fresh chilli, simmered slowly to let everything come together. The result? A sauce that delivers a good kick without going overboard. It’s bold, but still friendly — exactly what you want in a dish that’s meant to stand on its own.
Who It’s For
There’s something about a spicy pasta that just hits differently — and arrabbiata is our go-to when we want that kick. It doesn’t take much time, but it delivers every time. Toss it through penne, grate over some parmesan, and maybe add a bit of parsley if you’ve got it on hand. Out of all the Italian food recipes we’ve made over the years, this one has stuck around for a reason. It’s fiery, no fuss, and always hits the spot.
Italian Meatballs – Biggest on Flavour Among Top 10 Italian Dishes
Not Just for Spaghetti
Meatballs work in so many dishes — in sauce, on a roll, or over mash. Ours are packed with herbs and cooked slowly in sugo.
Made the Traditional Way
We mix beef, pork, and breadcrumbs, then pan-sear and simmer in sauce. Nothing fancy, just old-school Italian comfort.
Freeze and Reheat Well
Make a big batch and freeze portions — perfect for a quick, hearty dinner when time is short.
Fettuccine Alfredo – Creamy and Classic
Simple Ingredients, Big Result
A few ingredients. That’s all this creamy favourite needs. Just butter, a splash of cream, and some parmesan — nothing fancy, just done well. It’s comfort on a plate and, for many, one of the most satisfying Italian food recipes to serve when cravings hit.
Pair with Something Light
Because it’s rich, it works best with something that cuts through. A crisp salad, maybe some lemon-dressed greens, or a chunk of crusty bread — simple sides that keep everything balanced.
Pesto Pasta – Fresh and Fragrant
The Taste of Summer
Basil, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts. Not much, but it goes a long way. Pesto doesn’t try too hard—and that’s the charm. Stir it through pasta, add a few cherry tomatoes if you like. One of those Italian food recipes that fits Perth’s warm evenings just right.
Our Spin on Pesto
We sometimes use cashews or rocket for a twist. Try it tossed through spaghetti or gnocchi.
Goes Beyond Pasta
Pesto also works on toast, in sandwiches, or stirred into soup — don’t limit it to one dish.
Tomato Sugo – The Base of It All
The Backbone of Italian Cooking
So many of the top 10 Italian dishes start with a good tomato sugo. It’s simple, but when made well, it’s magic.
Ours is House-Made
We simmer fresh WA tomatoes with garlic, onion, and olive oil — that’s it. No sugar, no preservatives.
Use It Everywhere
Lasagne, ravioli, meatballs, or just on toast — this is the sauce that makes everything better.
Conclusion
There you have it — the top 10 Italian dishes we think every Perth household should try at least once (but we reckon you’ll come back for more). From the classic lasagne to vibrant pesto pasta, these meals are part tradition, part Tommy Sugo, and all heart.
Craving your favourite meal? Order now and treat your taste buds!
If you have any questions or special requests, please don’t hesitate to contact us through our website, phone, or email. Our dedicated team is always here to assist you with a smile!
FAQs
Are all your meals based on traditional Italian recipes?
Mostly, yes. We use classic Italian food recipes as the foundation, but we adapt them to suit modern Australian lifestyles — especially with gluten-free and vegetarian options.
Do you deliver across all of Perth?
We deliver to most suburbs, yep. The easiest way to find out is to check your address on our website. Chances are, we’re already heading your way.
Can I freeze the meals?
You sure can. They freeze really well—lasagne, cannelloni, sauces and all.
What gluten-free meals are on the menu?
A good mix! We’ve got gluten-free ravioli, lasagne, gnocchi… and they’re not just good-for-gluten-free—they’re just plain delicious. All made in-house from scratch.
Do you offer pick-up as well?
Absolutely. If you’d rather skip delivery, we’ve got several pickup locations around Perth. Just choose the one closest to you when placing your order.
Can I just grab your sauces?
Yep, we’ve got tubs of our sugo, béchamel, and pesto. They’re the same ones we use in our meals—great if you’re cooking at home and want to cheat a bit.
How do I heat up the frozen stuff?
Oven or microwave—up to you. Just follow what’s on the label. No stress.
Any vegetarian choices?
Heaps. Spinach ricotta ravioli, veggie mac, lentil lasagne… all full of flavour and super satisfying.
What do kids usually go for?
Mac and cheese, hands down. We tuck in some veg without making it obvious. Tastes great, and they’ll eat it up.
Where can I see everything you’ve got?
Just jump on tommysugo.com.au. Full menu’s there with pics and all the details.
