The Best Italian Recipes and Culinary Highlights: A Year in Review at La Bella Vita Cucina

Another incredible year has passed, and it is time once again to look back at the most popular recipes and stories that you, our wonderful community of readers, have loved the most. Before we dive into the countdown of the best highlights from 2017, we want to take a heartfelt moment to express our deepest gratitude. Thank you for visiting La Bella Vita Cucina, for appreciating our photography, for bringing our recipes into your own kitchens, and for reaching out with your thoughtful questions and stories. Your comments are a joy to read and are truly what make this blog feel like a home.

This past year, our family of readers has grown more than ever before. To everyone who has recently joined us: Benvenuti! We are so happy to have you here. Having such an engaged and passionate following helps us realize how meaningful it is to share our favorite recipes, gardening tips, and travel experiences. La Bella Vita Cucina is born from a love for memorable meals and the joy of sharing them with friends and family. My husband and I enjoy every step of the process—from deciding which dish to cook next to reading your feedback on the final post.

One of the most rewarding parts of this journey is when you share photos of the dishes you’ve prepared using our recipes. It is a genuine pleasure to feature your photos and comments, making you a living part of this blog. We also value your questions and even those helpful notes when you spot a typo! Please keep the emails coming. Whether you want to know about ingredient substitutions, cooking techniques, or what we’re planting in the garden, we are here to answer. Most importantly, tell us what you want to see more of. Do you want more Italian classics, quick weeknight dinners, dessert inspiration, or travel adventures? We are all ears!

Celebrating a Year of Flavor: The Top Recipes of 2017

Let’s take a look back at the dishes that captured your hearts and palates this year. From refreshing cocktails to soul-warming soups, here is the official countdown of the most popular posts on La Bella Vita Cucina.

Roasted Tomato Bisque with Parmesan Crisps

There is nothing quite like the deep, concentrated flavor of roasted tomatoes. This Roasted Tomato Bisque became an instant favorite for those looking for a comforting yet sophisticated meal. By roasting the tomatoes with garlic and herbs before blending, the natural sweetness is enhanced, creating a rich base that is far superior to any canned version. The addition of homemade Parmesan crisps provides the perfect salty crunch, making this a restaurant-quality dish you can easily make at home. It’s the ultimate comfort food for a chilly evening.

Mini Meyer Lemon Parfaits

Meyer lemons are the darlings of the citrus season, offering a sweeter, more floral note than traditional lemons. These Mini Meyer Lemon Parfaits were a hit because they are as beautiful as they are delicious. Layered with smooth lemon curd and whipped cream, they offer a light and refreshing end to any meal. Their individual serving sizes make them perfect for dinner parties or brunch gatherings where you want a touch of elegance without the heavy commitment of a full cake.

Fresh Basil Vinaigrette

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the most impactful. Our Fresh Basil Vinaigrette took off this year as a versatile kitchen staple. Bright green and bursting with the scent of fresh herbs, this dressing can transform a basic green salad into something extraordinary. Beyond salads, many of you shared that you used it as a marinade for grilled chicken or a drizzle over roasted vegetables. It’s a great way to use up an abundance of garden basil and keep the taste of summer alive in your fridge.

Strawberry Bellini

Inspired by the classic Venetian cocktail, our Strawberry Bellini brought a fruity twist to the traditional peach recipe. This drink is all about celebration. Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch or just enjoying a sunny afternoon on the patio, the combination of fresh strawberry purée and crisp Prosecco is unbeatable. It’s easy to prepare and visually stunning, making it a go-to choice for entertaining guests.

Spring Pea and Asparagus Salad

When spring arrives, we crave freshness, and this salad delivers exactly that. Combining tender asparagus spears with sweet green peas, this dish celebrates the best of seasonal produce. It’s light, healthy, and incredibly vibrant. The key to this salad is the minimal cooking time for the vegetables, which preserves their bright color and satisfying “snap.” It’s a wonderful side dish for Easter dinner or any spring celebration.

Eclipse Cocktails

A unique toast to a rare celestial event.

2017 was the year of the total solar eclipse, and what better way to celebrate such a rare event than with a themed cocktail? These Eclipse Cocktails were designed to be dark, mysterious, and absolutely delicious. It was wonderful to see so many of you mixing these up to toast to the wonders of the universe. It’s a reminder that food and drink can be a part of our shared cultural milestones.

Caprese Salad with a Fresh New Presentation

The Caprese salad is an Italian icon, representing the colors of the Italian flag: red, white, and green. This year, we looked at how to take these classic ingredients—ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil—and present them in a way that feels modern and elegant. Whether stacked, drizzled with high-quality balsamic glaze, or arranged in a beautiful mosaic, this salad remains a favorite because it relies on the absolute quality of its simple ingredients.

Spaghetti with Toasted Garlic Breadcrumbs

This dish is a tribute to “cucina povera,” the traditional Italian style of cooking that creates incredible flavor from humble ingredients. Many of you loved this recipe for its simplicity and its amazing texture. The “crunch” of the toasted breadcrumbs against the perfectly cooked pasta is a revelation. Flavored with garlic, chili flakes, and olive oil, it is a fast and satisfying meal that proves you don’t need a long list of ingredients to eat like royalty.

Panzanella: Tuscan Tomato and Bread Salad

Panzanella is the ultimate summer salad. It’s a genius way to use up day-old crusty bread, which soaks up the juices from ripe tomatoes and a tangy vinaigrette. Originating from Tuscany, this salad is hearty enough to be a light lunch on its own. The combination of textures—the softened bread, the juicy tomatoes, and the crisp cucumbers—makes every bite interesting. It’s a rustic dish that brings the taste of the Italian countryside to your table.

Osso Buco: Classic Milanese Cuisine

For those who love slow-cooked, melt-in-your-mouth meats, Osso Buco was a standout. This classic Milanese dish features veal shanks braised with vegetables, white wine, and broth. It is traditionally topped with gremolata—a bright mixture of lemon zest, garlic, and parsley—which cuts through the richness of the meat. This recipe was particularly popular during the colder months, offering a sophisticated and comforting meal that fills the whole house with an incredible aroma.

And the Most Popular Recipe of 2017 is…

Classic Italian Minestrone

The winner for 2017 is our Classic Italian Minestrone! It’s no surprise that this soup took the top spot. It is the quintessential Italian comfort food—healthy, hearty, and packed with a variety of vegetables, beans, and pasta. What makes Minestrone so beloved is its versatility. You can adapt it based on what’s in season or what you have in your pantry. It’s a bowl full of nutrients that tastes even better the next day. Thank you all for making this the most-cooked recipe of the year!

Looking Forward to a Delicious Future

As we close the chapter on 2017, we are buzzing with excitement for what is to come. Our mission remains the same: to inspire you to live “La Bella Vita”—the beautiful life—through the joy of cooking and the warmth of community. In the coming year, we plan to share even more authentic Italian recipes, delve deeper into the art of home gardening, and take you along on our travel adventures across the globe.

We are also planning some exciting new features for the blog, including more interactive content, kitchen tips to save you time, and perhaps a few surprises along the way. Your feedback will continue to guide the content we create, so please never hesitate to share your thoughts with us.

Once again, my husband and I wish to express our genuine, heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Words cannot fully express how much we appreciate your support, your comments, and the way you engage with us on social media. You make all the hard work that goes into this blog completely worth it.

From both of us, we wish you a Buon Nuovo Anno—a wonderful, awesome, and delicious new year! Salute and cheers!

Explore our favorite recipes from previous years: