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Steeped in a rich tradition of Catholicism, Easter is a major celebration in Italy. The season begins with Carnevale in January, continues through the beginning of Lent, and concludes with Holy Week – the week immediately prior to Easter. The celebration really ramps up toward the end of the week.

On Holy Thursday, the Last Supper is reenacted.

On Good Friday, the death of Christ is observed.

On Holy Saturday, a somber Easter Vigil is held.

On Easter Sunday, the celebration feast begins!

Wondering what types of traditional Italian fare is served during the Easter holiday? Here you go.

Lamb: Lamb is the traditional dish on Easter. While there is regional variation of many of the other dishes, lamb is pretty much a given on any holiday table. We love this recipe for Roast Lamb Shoulder Stuffed with Sausage and Spinach.

Pasta: As usual, pasta is served as one of the courses. On Easter it is typically tortellini, ravioli, or lasagna flavored with lamb.

Torta Pasqualina: A savory green pie filled with eggs, ricotta, and artichokes that was traditionally made with 33 layers of dough to symbolize the 33 years of Christ’s life.

Casatiello: A savory stuffed Easter bread. It’s traditionally made with ham or salami, but you could also substitute Italian sausage if you prefer.

Colomba: A dove-shaped Easter cake topped with a sweet crust and sprinkled with nuts.

Eggs: While boiled eggs are part of the traditional Easter celebration, in Italy they aren’t brought by bunnies. Intricately-decorated chocolate eggs are also given as gifts between family and friends.

It’s always fun to learn about how Easter is celebrated in other cultures, and the rich Italian traditions do not disappoint. What dishes does your family serve for the holiday?

Make sure your recipes are perfect by choosing Isernio’s Premium products – find them at a grocer near you. And if your family is interested in serving something this year that’s a little unexpected but still honors the holiday, we’ve got a few more suggestions here.

We love the classic meatball and its incredible versatility. It can take center stage at dinner, be enjoyed as a cocktail party appetizer, or devoured on a hoagie at the local sandwich shop. Dressed up or dressed down, meatballs are always a hit no matter how they’re served. Today we’re sharing our classic meatball recipe which can then be transformed into NINE unique and delicious dishes for any occasion.

The Perfect Meatball Recipe

One of our top tips for a fantastic meatball is to swap the traditional ground beef or pork for Isernio’s ground sausage, guaranteeing a moist, flavorful meatball with minimal effort. You should also use a panade – a mix of bread and milk – to help retain moisture and keep your meatballs from drying out.

Our favorite recipe which incorporates both of these tips is Margherita Isernio’s Sausage Meatballs. And once you make a batch of her basic meatballs, you can dress them up in any number of creative ways.

Nine Sauces for Basic Meatballs

Sweet and Sour Sauce – This sweet-and-sour sauce will give your meatballs a salty and tangy flavor, and works well as an appetizer or served as a main dish over rice.

Tomato Sauce – We’d be remiss if we didn’t suggest enjoying your meatballs in a classic tomato sauce atop a bed of pasta. And if you don’t have time for an all-day simmer, this sauce comes together in 30 minutes – tops.

Sweet Chili Sauce – Three ingredients make this glaze as easy as it gets.

Swedish Meatballs – If you want to make these more authentic, just toss in a pinch of allspice, nutmeg, and dried mustard to your basic meatball recipe. But the flavor’s really in the sauce, so if you just top your classic meatballs with this creamy white sauce and serve them over noodles, your guests will be none the wiser.

Barbecue Sauce – Basic meatballs + barbecue sauce = a huge dinnertime hit. You don’t even need a recipe for this one.

Cranberry Barbecue Sauce – Want a festive holiday twist to upscale your barbecue meatballs? The sauce in this recipe is just the ticket.

Salisbury Steak Meatballs – Top your classic meatballs with homemade or store-bought gravy and serve alongside mashed potatoes for a no-fuss take on comfort food.

Buffalo Ranch Meatballs – Ready for a game-day gathering? Then toss your meatballs in this easy two-ingredient sauce for an appetizer that will be gone before halftime.

Philly Cheese Steak Meatballs – Whip up a basic beschamel, add some grated gruyere and cheddar, and stir in diced, sauteed peppers and onions. Use it as a dipping sauce for your classic meatballs.

Ready to get cooking? Then pick up Isernio’s pork or chicken sausage at your local grocer. Or for a more traditional but lightened-up meatball, opt for our ground chicken or Italian seasoned ground chicken. Whatever you choose, when you make your meatballs with Isernio’s you know you’re making it with the best.

Ways to serve meatballs – nine different recipes

You’re well-acquainted with spaghetti and meatballs, and you know exactly what’s in lasagna. But have you ever heard of an exotic-sounding Italian dish and weren’t entirely sure what was in it? We’re here to help. Here are descriptions of some classic Italian dishes – try them using Isernio’s premium sausage to make sure they’re amazing!

Arancini are stuffed rice balls that are coated in breadcrumbs and fried. Exact fillings vary widely – try stuffing yours with sausage!

Bolognese is a thick, meat-based tomato sauce that is typically finished with milk or cream. It is most commonly used in dishes with thicker noodles.

Braciola is thinly-sliced cuts of meat stuffed with cheese, breadcrumbs, and tightly rolled. It is fried and then braised until tender. Try this recipe which takes it up a notch using Isernio’s sausage!

Bruschetta is large, rustic, toasted bread sliced and topped with a variety of flavors. It is most frequently topped with olive oil and garlic, but here are some other ideas!

Caprese refers to the classic combination of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Most frequently it’s served as a salad.

Cacciatore refers to a “hunter-style” sauce and cooking method, including onions, peppers, and herbs in a tomato base. It is usually made with chicken, but occasionally with other types of meats.

Chicken Marsala is made from lightly coated chicken cutlets braised with mushrooms in wine. “Marsala” refers to the type of wine used in this dish, which is an Italian dessert wine that is similar to sherry.

Chicken Scarpariello features chicken thighs and Italian sausage in a zesty, vinegary sauce. This is Frank’s favorite version of the dish!

Osso Buco is a veal shank braised in stock and wine until fork-tender. It literally translates to “bone with a hole,” which is a nod to the marrow visible in the center of the cut bone.

Picatta is usually made with chicken or veal cutlets. They are sliced thin and cooked stove-top in a lemon-based sauce with capers and garlic.

Ragu is a sauce made with minced or ground meat. While it may have a small amount of tomato sauce, the meat is the star – not the tomato. Try this Ragu Napolitano with Italian Sausage and Pasta!

Saltimbocca is a piece of meat rolled & wrapped or lined with prosciutto and sage, marinated in wine, and cooked in a skillet. It is most frequently made with veal, but can also be made with chicken.

Spaghetti Carbonara is the classic long, skinny pasta tossed in a rich and creamy sauce made from eggs, cheese, and pepper. The dish usually also includes bacon or pancetta.

Isernio’s is proud to be your go-to ingredient for authentic Italian flavor. Try our classic Italian Sausage, lighten up your dishes with our Italian Chicken Sausage, or make it spicy with Hot Italian Sausage! See our full product line-up here.

Ready to make some healthy changes to your diet? You don’t have to get radical; even small changes can make a big difference. Here are ten healthy food swaps to cut fat and calories while boosting nutrition – without sacrificing any of the flavor you love.

1. Use ground chicken in place of ground beef.

For some reason, most people opt for ground turkey when swapping for ground beef. But it tends to dry out quickly and lack flavor. Instead, try ground chicken. A standard 4-ounce serving has just as much protein as ground beef, and less fat and fewer calories than ground turkey. It’s a winner all around and perfect in burgers, tacos, casseroles, or any other place you’d typically use ground beef!

2. Cut calories with cauliflower.

Don’t worry, we’re not asking you to jump on the cauliflower pizza train if you don’t want to. But you can easily cut calories and boost nutrition by adding some cauliflower puree in place of cream or milk to your favorite potato chowder or cream soups. You can also grate cauliflower and add it to fried rice or rice-based casseroles. If you’re just starting to make changes, don’t completely eliminate the foods you love. Instead, just try to replace 25% of the original ingredient with cauliflower. You probably won’t even notice!

3. Try zucchini noodles.

Just like the cauliflower, start with partial swaps instead of complete substitutions. Use a vegetable spiralizer to make zucchini noodles and eat them along with your regular pasta. Saute your zucchini noodles for 1-2 minutes so they retain a good bite, and then toss them with your spaghetti. In a regular portion you’ll eat fewer calories and carbs and increase your vegetable intake – with practically no effort.

4. Opt for goat cheese.

Yes, you can still have cheese! Just choose goat cheese instead. It is lower in fat and calories than regular cheese, and contains no trans fats. Plus, it tends to be easier to digest than other dairy products.

5. Snack on fruits.

If you’re not ready to make big changes to your regular meals, just pay more attention to what you eat between them. Resolve to only eat fruits for snacks instead of other calorie-dense choices.

6. Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

Greek yogurt is thick, tangy, and creamy and can be used to top your chili or burrito, or even to make a creamy salad dressing or dip. (Note: You may have to add more salt to your dish if you use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.)

7. Have an open-faced sandwich.

Most breads are around 100 calories per slice. By having your sandwich open-faced you easily shave off calories while still enjoying bread. You can even have your favorite grilled cheese – just broil it in the oven instead of cooking it stove-top!

8. Opt for chicken sausage.

Using a high-quality chicken sausage gives you all of the delicious savory flavor with significant calorie savings. Plus, using chicken sausage instead of traditional pork cuts the amount of fat you’re consuming by up to 80%.

9. Add heat instead of cheese.

Cheese is delicious, but it’s also calorie-dense. If you bump up the flavor in your favorite dishes, you can reduce the cheese (or even eliminate it). Add spicy salsa or hot sauce to your burritos, omelets, and casseroles to make them delicious and less calorie laden.

10. Choose a vinaigrette salad dressing.

It’s so confusing to know whether an oil-based or cream-based dressing is best, but we’re here to tell you – olive oil wins. With heart-healthy fats and loads of flavor, vinaigrettes are the way to go if you’re looking to make healthy food swaps.

If you’re ready to make healthy swaps in your diet, Isernio’s is ready to help. With ground chicken made from lean, whole-muscle meats and chicken sausage with no fillers, no gluten, and no added sugars, you can cut fat and calories without sacrificing flavor. Most of our products are compatible with a variety of eating plans including low fat, low carb, the ketogenic diet, a Paleo lifestyle, and Whole 30.

Plus, you can usually whip up a meal with Isernio’s in a fraction of the time it would take to order take-out – which will also save you loads of fat and calories.

Try our chicken sausage today! Available in a variety of flavors, including:

• Italian
• Hot Italian
• Chicken Spinach & Feta
• Chicken Breakfast
• Chicken Apple

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and most of us are busy carrying out our families’ traditional holiday celebrations. In homage to our Italian heritage, we thought we’d share some of Italy’s biggest holiday traditions. Do you do any of these in your home?

Nativity Set – “Crib sets” are found in most homes that celebrate Christmas, but they actually originated in Italy! Traditionally they are displayed beginning on December 8th, but the crib remains empty until late on December 24th, at which time the baby Jesus is finally placed in the manger.

Christmas Eve Meal – On Christmas Eve, Italian families have a large meal called “The Feast of the Seven Fishes.” No meat or dairy is eaten. Children write letters to their parents telling them how much they love them and place it under their father’s plate to be read at the end of the meal.

Midnight Mass – Midnight mass is a Christmas Eve tradition in Italy. The services are usually very well attended.

Bagpipes – Shepherds from the mountain come to the town square and wander around paying their respects to the nativity scenes while playing the bagpipes. They also perform at the Christmas markets.

Gift Giving – Children do write to Father Christmas (Babbo Natale) and may get gifts from Santa, a woman on a broom named La Befana, or Jesus on Christmas Day. However, the main gift-giving day for most Italians is Ephiphany, which is January 6th. (Fun fact: If you look at a calendar you’ll realize that January 6th is actually “the 12th day of Christmas” which you probably recognize from the popular Christmas carol.)

Food – On Christmas Day, lunch is the main meal. The exact menu varies by region, but most include several courses of meat, pasta, and sweetbreads for dessert. Some even leave the table set after the meal waiting for Mary and baby Jesus to arrive and sample the food.

Christmas in Italy doesn’t look anything like the glittery commercial holiday we celebrate here in the US, but the meaningful traditions run deep. This season, we hope you find the same depth and meaning in your own family’s traditions – whatever they may be.

Happy Holidays from Isernio’s!

Italian food is the ultimate in simple elegance, but it becomes a little more difficult if you don’t have the right tools. At Isernio’s, we want you to love your time in the kitchen as much as you love the food that comes out of it, so we’ve rounded up some of the essential kitchen tools needed in every Italian-inspired kitchen.

Pasta Machine – This gadget is well worth the investment if you plan to make your own pasta.

Mezzaluna Knife – You’ll wonder how you ever lived without this once you get used to using it for chopping garlic and herbs.

Olivewood Utensils – You’ll love cooking with these traditional utensils.

Large Pasta Pot – Pasta can’t be crowded if you want it to cook well. You need a BIG one if you want to make pasta like the Italians.

Colander – Choose a sturdy colander so when it comes time to drain your pasta it’s not falling over in your kitchen sink.

Pasta Drying Rack – If you’re making your own pasta it needs to dry. This rack will help make sure it’s perfect.

Mortar & Pestle – Grinding spices? Making pesto? You need this to do it properly.

Parmesan Knife – This almond-shaped knife is designed to cut hard parmesan, but can be used for a variety of other cheeses as well.

Ravioli Cutter – Technically you could make ravioli without this gadget, but your creations will look so much more authentic if you do.

Gnocchi Board – Gnocchi needs small impressions in the dough to hold the sauce; you can roll the delicate dough along this board to shape them perfectly.

Olive Oil Decanter – These help you with a neat pour. They can also help you store the oil properly – just make sure you choose a dark-colored one and keep it in a cabinet away from heat and light.

Stovetop Espresso Maker – Once you learn how to make homemade espresso, you may never drive through local espresso stand again.

Serrated Bread Knife – You can’t just use any knife to cut rustic Italian bread or you’ll compress it. To keep it intact, make sure you’re using the right knife.

Cheese Grater – If you’re cooking authentic Italian food, you probably won’t be buying pre-shredded cheese. Buy high-quality cheese and grate it at home!

Cannoli Roller – Don’t forget the cannoli! A roller will help you get the shells to perfect size and shape for stuffing.

Whether you’re looking to boost your own Italian kitchen tool collection or looking for gift inspiration for a loved one for Christmas, we hope this list helps you with ideas. And remember to use Isernio’s in all your Italian dishes to give them that authentic old-world flavor and quality.

What kitchen tools do you find most essential?

The afternoon is waning, and you’ve got nothing planned for dinner. It’s tempting to hop in the car and run to the restaurant down the street or swing through the drive-through on your way home from work.

But aside from the usual deterrents to takeout (low quality! high cost! all that waste!), you might be surprised to realize that it’s really not much of a time-saver. Between the time you spend driving to your favorite restaurant and the time you spend waiting for your order to be filled, you can usually whip up a healthy and respectable meal at home.

Isernio’s loves being your go-to choice for all those complex Italian meals steeped in tradition. But we can also be your biggest time-saver, too. Don’t believe us? Here’s how.

Pre-Cooked Sausages: These are fully cooked, packed with flavor, and ready at a moment’s notice for a meal that’s sure to please. There are a number of ways you can serve these.

TRY IT:

• Alone on your favorite roll or bun
• Slice them and toss with pasta and some store-bought pesto
• Skewer them with zucchini, peppers, and mushrooms and toss on the grill for ten minutes

The possibilities are endless for a healthy, satisfying meal ready in 15 minutes or less.

Sausage Rolls: It takes less than ten minutes to brown a pound of sausage, and if you use our bulk rolls you don’t even have to worry about removing it from the casing, saving you even more time. Sausage is so flavorful in itself that you need very little in the way of seasoning for the rest of your dish.

TRY IT:

• This Orecchiette Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Broccoli cooks the pasta and the broccoli in one pot, minimizing both cook time and clean-up.
• Brown your sausage then add tomato sauce, salt, garlic, and Italian seasonings. Allow to simmer while you cook up a pot of noodles and you’ve got a quick and satisfying spaghetti dinner. It’s even easier if you keep some of our Half Hour Tomato Sauce in your freezer for just such an occasion.

Fresh Sausage: Whether you like traditional or chicken sausage, mild or spicy, Italian or Chicken & Feta, we’ve got plenty of options to keep your quick weeknight meal from being anything but boring.

TRY IT:

• Our Grilled Sausage Sandwiches come together lightning-fast and since your bun is loaded with both meat and veggies, it’s a complete meal in itself and needs no additional sides.
• Roast sausage, potatoes, and peppers on one sheet pan for easy cooking and clean-up. Cut sausages into bite-sized pieces and roast in a 400-degree oven with diced potatoes and cut peppers. This recipe may take a little longer than takeout in the oven, but the hands-on prep time is minimal. Hint: Give the potatoes a 20-minute head start, and cook on parchment to make clean-up a breeze.

Ground Chicken: Once again, browning the meat takes almost no time and you’re ready to assemble a quick, easy, and healthy dinner. Our ground chicken is guaranteed to make your dish a hit; you’ll find it doesn’t dry out like some other ground poultry products and the whole-muscle chicken thighs ensure that it’s packed with flavor.

TRY IT:

• Our Spicy Chicken and Cabbage Lettuce Cups are perfect if you’re craving Chinese food.
• Baja Chicken Tacos will be on the table before you know it.
• Nachos for dinner are even easier. Use store-bought taco seasoning to flavor the chicken, heat up some beans, and assemble a meal everyone in your family will be happy about.

We love to savor time at the table, but we know that in today’s busy world it’s not always possible. Serving Isernio’s for dinner can be even faster than take-out – and a whole lot healthier, too.

What’s your go-to quick & easy meal?