Not all restaurants having well-known Italian cuisines serve authentic Italian foods. Most just have an idea of what the Italian food should look like but will not offer you the true Italian food that took you there. According to Toast, 72% of people visit a certain restaurant with the top factor being that high-quality food will be served. Let's discuss a few tips to help identify authentic Italian dishes.

Sauces and Cheese

If you see a meal that is smothered in sauce and cheese, then you know that is not an Italian dish. Americans will smother cheese and sauces all over their foods and call them Italian food. For instance, to know the difference between an Italian pizza and an American pizza, you look at the covering of it. If the pizza looks all greasy and with the first bite you only taste butter and cheese, then you know that it is American. Italians use more vegetables and minimal cheese on their pizza.

Pasta

Pasta is a traditional Italian course, but the method used to prepare it in America makes it lose its originality. Should you taste authentic Italian cuisine, then you would realize what you've become accustomed to over the years is nothing like the original. Pasta is served and prepared with several things but you will not find it loaded with herbs and tons of cheese like they do in America. Italian pasta is mostly served with vegetables or meats.

Lasagna

Pasta that is flattened and has alternating layers of sauces and vegetables is known as lasagna. Most lasagna is made of meat and tomato sauces. Lasagna made of vegetables is called green lasagna and it comprises lasagna made of alternating layers of spinach. Italian foods might be light, but they are healthier than most of the other foods that are served in American restaurants.

To get true Italian food you will enjoy, go to an authentic Italian restaurant like ourselves. Americanized Italian restaurants are very common, but they don't deliver the same experience. Get a feel of the real Italian culture. Visit Villaggio Ristorante today to see what we offer!