Skip to Content

All of My Instagram Friends Are on Euro Vacations—Here's What I'm At Home Making Instead

Channel Euro girl summer without ever leaving the house.

By
frozen limoncello cocktail with a lemon peel
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

1

Tomato Tini

martini glasses with gin, tomato infused vermouth, and a basil leaf
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

2

Mussels with Tomatoes & Garlic

mussels in a pot with tomatoes and garlic
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Homemade Gnocchi

gnocchi
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

4

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Cacio e Pepe

cacio e pepe topped with pepper and parmesan
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

6

Gelato

food stylist spencer richards
PHOTO CREDIT: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Homemade Cannoli

cannoli
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

8

Burrata Pizza Sandwiches

burrata pizza sandwich
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Frozen Limoncello Drop

frozen limoncello cocktail with a lemon peel
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

10

Melon Prosciutto Skewers

skewers with cantaloupe balls, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves drizzled with balsamic glaze
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Whipped Ricotta With Olives & Roasted Red Peppers

whipped ricotta with olives and roasted red peppers
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

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.

12

Hugo Spritz

featuring floral, fruity st germain, fresh lime, mint, and prosecco bubbles, this is the perfect crisp alternative to heavier drinks
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Mini Dutch Baby Pancakes

mini dutch baby pancakes with berries jam and confectioners sugar
PHOTO: DOAA ELKADY; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

14

Linguine with Clams

linguine with clams fresh herbs, lemon, and red pepper flakes
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Pesto-Stuffed Burrata Bombs

pesto stuffed burrata on top of burst cherry tomatoes with basil
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

16

Watermelon Caprese

sliced watermelon, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Antipasto Skewers

antipasta

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.

18

Orzo Al Limone

creamy lemon garlic orzo with parmesan and parsley
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLIST: BROOKE CAISON

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Aperol Spritz Trifle

a stemless wine glass filled with vanilla cake, whipped cream, aperol spiked jam, and pudding with an orange slice on the rim
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

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.

20

Gazpacho

tomato gazpacho in a bowl topped with chopped cucumbers, basil, sliced cherry tomatoes, and an olive oil drizzle
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

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.

Watch Next 
preview for Meals & Cooking
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below