All of My Instagram Friends Are on Euro Vacations—Here's What I'm At Home Making Instead
It’s official: I can’t get on Instagram without seeing at least one #Europeansummer post. While I also wish I was lounging on the Amalfi coast, I’m stuck at home for the time being. If you’re also not living your best Euro vacay life right now, that doesn’t mean you can’t live it up right at home. Instead of booking a flight, I’ll be making these recipes—including cocktails, apps, and mains—to live la dolce vita from the comfort of my own couch (no packing or passport required).
No matter what you love to splurge on when you go on vacation, there’s a recipe here that will make you feel like you’re on the trip of your dreams. Wish you were walking the streets of Florence? Make our homemade gelato or Aperol spritz trifle for a bellissima evening (or afternoon) treat. Craving cocktail hour on the coast? Make the Euro cocktails of the summer (spritz cocktails and limoncello cocktails, of course) alongside bite-sized apps like melon prosciutto skewers and antipasto bites. Brunch with an espresso calling your name? Brioche French toast and mini Dutch baby pancakes will transport you to the breakfast-on-the-balcony of your dreams.
Whether you're missing strolling the streets of Paris or soaking up the sun in Sicily, these recipes will bring the Euro summer vibes right to you. Queue up the Call Me by Your Name soundtrack, open the windows, and let the vacation-from-home begin.
Tomato Tini
Instead of olive brine, this martini gets its rich flavor and vibrant color from tomatoes. If you’re skeptical, hear us out: Think of this cocktail as a cleaner, crisper version of a Bloody Mary.
Get the Tomato Tini recipe.
Mussels with Tomatoes & Garlic
No vacation this year? No worries—this dish will transport you straight to the Mediterranean seaside. If you're not a mussels fan, then I can guarantee you've never had them cooked in a garlicky white wine and tomato sauce.
Get the Mussels with Tomatoes & Garlic recipe.
Homemade Gnocchi
Tired of seeing all your friends post about their pasta making class in Italy? Good news—you can have your own pasta making night right at home! If making homemade pasta seems like too much of a process (or if you don’t have the equipment to roll out the dough), then gnocchi is the easy pasta to try making yourself.
Get the Homemade Gnocchi recipe.
Panzanella Salad
Summer is a huge bowl of panzanella in the center of the table: generous bronzed croutons tossed with chunks of juicy tomato, shallots, and torn basil in a bright vinaigrette. Originating in Tuscany, it might technically be called a salad, but you’ll probably find yourself snacking on it for breakfast, dinner… and dessert.
Get the Panzanella Salad recipe.
Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e pepe literally translates to “cheese and pepper." These two ingredients are usually thought of as small components to a dish but in this pasta recipe, they take center stage. The fruity bite of freshly ground pepper combined with salty cheese is complex, earthy, sweet and spicy all at once.
Get the Cacio e Pepe recipe.
Gelato
What says summer more than strolling down cobblestone streets, a cone of gelato in hand? If you can't make it to Italy, our homemade gelato recipe will at least make you feel like you're living your best life, right at home.
Get the Gelato recipe.
Homemade Cannoli
Cannoli are the tubular pastry kings of Italian-American bakeries. All dressed up with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar and sprinkled with chocolate and pistachios, they’re a crunchy, dreamy handheld dessert that will always steal the show. Skip the trip to Italy—it's totally possible to make this iconic dessert at home.
Get the Homemade Cannoli recipe.
Burrata Pizza Sandwiches
This isn't your classic beach sandwich. Some recent TikTok scrolling led to a gorgeous pizza sandwich sealed by its doughy edge, torn-open steaming, and stuffed with cheese and cured meat. With a little collaboration, this super-crusty sandwich stuffed with creamy burrata, salty prosciutto, sweet fig jam, and peppery arugula was created.
Get the Burrata Pizza Sandwiches recipe.
Frozen Limoncello Drop
You know what they say—when life gives you lemons, add a splash of vodka. Think lemonade slushy but make it Italian (and alcoholic), and you'll have this frozen cocktail.
Get the Frozen Limoncello Drop recipe.
Melon Prosciutto Skewers
The classic sweet and salty combination of cantaloupe and prosciutto will never go out of style, and the addition of fresh basil and creamy mozzarella makes a good thing even better.
Get the Melon Prosciutto Skewers recipe.
Whipped Ricotta With Olives & Roasted Red Peppers
Whipped ricotta is beyond easy to make, even though it sounds so delicate and fancy. Topping with marinated olives and roasted red peppers gives the dip a briny flavor, but you can really get creative here.
Get the Whipped Ricotta With Olives & Roasted Red Peppers recipe.
Hugo Spritz
In 2005, bar manager Roland Gruber created the Hugo Spritz in Northern Italy as an alternative to the ever-popular Aperol Spritz. Featuring floral, fruity St-Germain, fresh lime, and mint, it’s the perfect low-ABV, crisp cocktail.
Get the Hugo Spritz recipe.
Mini Dutch Baby Pancakes
We love our classic skillet Dutch baby, but we’re also very into these shareable mini versions. If you're looking for the most instagrammable brunch dish (that will make even your Euro vacay friends jealous), these baby pancakes are the answer.
Get the Mini Dutch Baby Pancakes recipe.
Linguine with Clams
Linguine with clams is our ideal seafood dinner: It's so simple, can be thrown together in about 30 minutes, but still delivers on that rich flavor that makes it an extra-special weeknight dinner. If this is your go-to vacation meal, you'll be surprised just how good it is at home.
Get the Linguine with Clams recipe.
Pesto-Stuffed Burrata Bombs
Why have just mozzarella when you can have burrata? Why have just burrata when you can have pesto-stuffed burrata? This recipe is the best way to upgrade the creamy cheese of the moment.
Get the Pesto-Stuffed Burrata Bombs recipe.
Watermelon Caprese
Classic Caprese salad might be all over your feed, but this watermelon version is what should be getting all the attention. This watermelon Caprese combines slices of juicy, sweet watermelon, mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze to top it all off.
Get the Watermelon Caprese recipe.
Antipasto Skewers
This easy appetizer—or satisfying midday snack—is perfect to serve up at any fancy dinner party or festive celebration. Make-ahead friendly and completely customizable, this versatile app adds a boost of fresh flavor to any spread it's served at.
Get the Antipasto Skewers recipe.
Orzo Al Limone
Maybe you’re not a fan of rice, but love the creamy waves of risotto. What if orzo was made in the same way? This orzo is slowly cooked in chicken broth, and the starch is gradually released, creating creamy saucy goodness in this bright orzo al limone recipe.
Get the Orzo Al Limone recipe.
Aperol Spritz Trifle
This trifle draws inspiration from everybody’s favorite summer cocktail: the Aperol Spritz. This popular beverage fuses effervescent Prosecco, a bittersweet and bright Italian aperitivo, and fresh orange. We include all three of those ingredients in this layered dessert. It’s like an adult version of an orange Creamsicle!
Get the Aperol Spritz Trifle recipe.
Gazpacho
Popular in Spain, gazpacho is a chilled soup that was made to be devoured on a hot summer day. This refreshing soup is best enjoyed in late summer, when the star of the show—sweet, juicy tomatoes—are at their peak.
Get the Gazpacho recipe.
Brioche French Toast
French toast is already a pretty decadent breakfast, but we’ve got a way to make it extra luxurious: thick-sliced cinnamon twist brioche. You'll start by dipping the brioche in a simple egg custard, then pan-frying the slices to crispy perfection.
Get the Brioche French Toast recipe.
Peach Bruschetta
Summer is that beautiful time of year when both peaches and tomatoes are in season and peak quality, and this easy appetizer celebrates that. We combine peaches and tomatoes in this sweet-salty snack that goes perfectly on top of golden brown baguette slices.
Get the Peach Bruschetta recipe.
Spaghetti Carbonara
Though many people travel to Rome to experience the Colosseum, for others, there’s only one reason to make the trip: carbonara! The best part? The classic Roman dish composed of silky eggs, Sardinian sheep's milk cheese, and al dente spaghetti is completely possible to make great right at home.
Get the Spaghetti Carbonara recipe.
Parmesan Tortellini Bites
As far as stuffed pasta goes, tortellini is highly versatile, convenient, and—the best part—filled with cheese. You may have heard of toasted ravioli, but these crispy Parmesan tortellini bites will soon become your new favorite appetizer.
Get the Parmesan Tortellini Bites recipe.
Fruit Tart
If you’re one of the many who are stunned by the shiny fruit tarts in bakery windows, then this recipe is for you. Good news: It’s surprisingly easy to make a stunning fruit tart right at home! Make it as the star of your summer brunch, or as an easy, warm-weather treat to indulge in anytime.
Get the Fruit Tart recipe.
You Might Also Like
