Italian Picnic Recipes and Ideas

Channel your picnic dolce vita and set the scene for an Italian picnic with these tastes of Italy and the Mediterranean.

Four images of differently arranged Italian Picnic meals: a table setting with lemon and greens, a person holding a fork near a salad plate, a lemon cake with sliced pieces, and a pasta dish with bread and greens.

Tips for an Authentic Italian Picnic:

The beauty of creating an Italian picnic lies in the secret to good Italian food: quality ingredients and simple dishes.

Use Fresh, Seasonal Ingredients: Italians prioritize freshness, so choose seasonal vegetables, cheeses, and meats. In the summer, go for tomatoes (I love roasted vine tomatoes), fresh mozzarella, and basil; in cooler weather, consider marinated vegetables such as zucchini and mushrooms or roasted peppers.
Pack a Variety of Antipasti: Create a simple yet delicious spread with Italian cheeses (like mozzarella or Pecorino), olives, marinated artichokes, roasted peppers, and thinly sliced salumi. These travel well and can be easily set up on a blanket. Serve with focaccia. (I have a low carb focaccia recipe with olives and rosemary for a lush bread without the guilt).
Simple Yet Elegant: Italians value simplicity in their meals, allowing the ingredients to shine. When preparing your picnic, aim for quality ingredients that make each dish feel special.
Drinks: Pack little bottles of Chinotto or Aranciata. If you like an aperitivo, Aperol spritz, or Campari and soda is always a good bet (you can pre-make these in an insulated bottle). For a little wine, think Pinot Grigio, a quality Chianti, or even a little Prosecco – my favorite for a picnic date. A little Limoncello is always an excellent way to finish a meal.

A picnic by the water in Italy with white wine, grilled vegetables, a salad, strawberries, and a plate with bread and a meat dish on a stone surface.

Italian Picnic Food

These Italian recipes have been chosen because they celebrate Italian cuisine while being perfectly portable for a picnic. Whether having a romantic picnic or feeding a crowd at a picnic birthday party, these Italian picnic dishes will hit the mark every time.

Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad

Smoked mozzarella with sundried tomatoes is a gorgeous Italian picnic dish. The rich, smoky cheese and tangy tomatoes combine with fresh basil and olive oil for a simple, make-ahead salad bursting with Italian flavors.

Get the Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe

A bowl of penne pasta with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs.

Italian Tuna Green Bean Salad

This Italian Tuna Salad with Green Beans is a quick, flavorful dish. Tender tuna in olive oil pairs with crisp green beans and onions, all tossed in a simple olive oil and lemon dressing. Perfect for a light, protein-packed Mediterranean side.

Get the Tuna Green Bean Salad Recipe

Photo credit: coleycooks.com

A white plate filled with a salad of green beans, chunks of tuna, red onion slices, parsley, and garnished with lemon wedges, with a serving fork on the side.

Roasted Vine Tomatoes

Like roasted peppers, there are so many great picnic recipes using roasted vine tomatoes. If nothing else, they make a great addition to an antipasto platter or have a bowl on hand to spread on fresh bread.

Get the Roasted Vine Tomato Recipe

Roasted tomatoes and garlic on a baking sheet.

Roasted Red Peppers

Roasted red peppers are a wonder for Italian picnic recipes. They add flavor to everything from antipasto platters to sandwiches, salads, and bruschetta. Once you start exploring their many uses, you’ll want to always keep a jar in the fridge.

Get the Roasted Red Peppers Recipe

Roasted red peppers on a kitchen countertop, with some on a plate and others in a jar.

Marinated Mozzarella Balls

Marinated mozzarella balls are a quick and easy Italian appetizer. Toss mild mozzarella or bocconcini in an olive oil-based marinade with herbs and spices, letting them absorb the flavors. They are perfect on their own, in salads, or as part of a charcuterie board.

Get the Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe

Photo credit: thetastychilli.com

A jar filled with marinated mozzarella balls in olive oil, garnished with herbs. A spoon containing crushed red pepper flakes is visible in the background.

Antipasto Salad

This Italian Antipasto Salad is loaded with veggies, cured meats, and cheese. It’s a fantastic sharing dish, or you can serve individual salads for a hearty main.

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Photo credit: gypsyplate.com

Burrata Prosciutto Sandwich with Roasted Red Pepper Butter

If you’re looking for delicious summer sandwich ideas with Italian flair, this Burrata Prosciutto Sandwich with homemade roasted red pepper butter is a seasonal winner. It bundles up some of the best Italian flavors in a portable sandwich.

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Fresh ciabatta sandwich with prosciutto, burrata, arugula, and cherry tomatoes.

Mediterranean Chickpea Pasta Salad

I love this Mediterranean-inspired Chickpea Pasta Salad. Tossed in a simple olive oil and lemon vinaigrette, it’s a quick, easy, and healthy summer salad bursting with fresh seasonal flavors.

Get the Chickpea Pasta Salad Recipe

A bowl of chickpea salad with tomatoes, cheese, and arugula on a wooden table, garnished with herbs and lemon.

Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta with Bacon

Light and fresh, this Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta is a quick and easy picnic finger food. Ideal as an appetizer or part of a platter, you can prep the components ahead of time and assemble them just before serving for maximum freshness.

Get the Red Pepper Bruschetta Recipe

Ricotta Bruschetta topped with roasted red peppers and bacon.

Pesto Orzo Salad with Prosciutto

A vibrant celebration of garden-fresh flavors, this Pesto Orzo Salad with Prosciutto is tossed in flavorful pesto and finished with prosciutto. It beautifully blends the simplicity and sophistication of Italian cuisine.

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Pesto Orzo salad with parma ham, tomatoes and olives on a white plate.

Pesto Caprese Sandwich

This Pesto Caprese Sandwich is a fresh and fragrant take on the classic Italian salad. It combines ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic basil in a crusty baguette for a very portable Caprese Salad.

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A Caprese baguette sandwich with pesto, tomatoes and basil on a plate.

Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich

This Mediterranean veggie sandwich checks all the boxes: it’s fresh, healthy, delicious, and super easy to make. Plus, it’s a feast for the eyes.

Get the Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich Recipe

A vegetable Mediterranean sandwich is sitting on a cutting board next to chips.

Prosciutto Wrapped Figs with Goat Cheese and Arugula

I adore the elegance and simplicity of this delightful picnic starter. The best part? You can prepare these prosciutto rolls in advance—even the day before! They store perfectly in a covered container in the fridge.

Get the Prosciutto Wrapped Figs Recipe

Figs wrapped in prosciutto on a white plate.

Italian Bean Salad

This Italian Bean Salad features cannellini beans, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, and red onion tossed in a tangy homemade dressing. Refreshing and delicious, it’s perfect for a light lunch or a tasty side.

Get the Italian Bean Salad Recipe

Photo credit: thesavorycipolla.com

A bowl of mixed bean salad featuring chickpeas, white beans, halved cherry tomatoes, red onions, and chopped herbs.

Italian Easter Pie – Pizza Gaina

Traditionally an Easter dish, this classic can be enjoyed anytime, although I do love it for an Easter Picnic. This pie truly celebrates good Italian food by combining flavors like mortadella, salami, and mozzarella.

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Photo credit: marcellinaincucina.com

A slice of savory pie with ham cubes and cheese is served on a gray plate, accompanied by a silver fork.

Burrata Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze

This Burrata Caprese Salad captures summer flavors with creamy burrata, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil, all drizzled with sweet balsamic glaze and topped with crunchy pine nuts.

Get the Caprese Salad Recipe

Photo credit: thesavorycipolla.com

A colorful Caprese salad with sliced tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, pine nuts, and dollops of burrata cheese, drizzled with balsamic glaze, served on a white plate.

Ligurian Focaccia

Ligurian focaccia is wonderfully crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Baked in extra virgin olive oil and topped with sweet San Marzano tomatoes, it’s easy than you think to make this Italian classic.

Get the Ligurian Focaccia Recipe

Photo credit: littlenonni.com

Close-up of rectangular focaccia slices with tomato sauce and green onion toppings, arranged on a wooden board.

Keto Focaccia with Rosemary & Olives

Craving focaccia but want a low-carb option? Try my Keto Focaccia with Olives and Rosemary—fragrant, fluffy, and deliciously guilt-free.

Get the Low Carb Focaccia Recipe

A piece of keto focaccia bread with olives and a rosemary sprig.

Italian Picnic Desserts

Tiramisu Cookies

Enjoy a portable twist on the Italian classic dessert with these Tiramisu Cookies. This rich and creamy recipe captures all the classic Tiramisu flavors in a delightful, elegant cookie.

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A brown coffee cup on a matching saucer next to a cooling rack with frosted Tiramisu Cookies dusted with cocoa powder.

Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake

This Italian lemon ricotta cake is light, fluffy, and bursting with tangy flavor. Made with simple ingredients like fresh lemon juice and creamy ricotta, it's perfect for dessert or even a picnic brunch.

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Photo credit: xoxobella.com

A round lemon cake dusted with powdered sugar, decorated with lemon slices. One slice is cut and partially removed from the cake.

Pignoli Cookies

Pignoli cookies are a traditional Italian treat with a rich almond flavor. Rolled in pine nuts before baking, they offer a chewy interior with a satisfying crunch. Made with simple, quality ingredients, they are very easy to prepare.

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Photo credit: littlenonni.com

Five pine nut-topped cookies are arranged on a white surface, with scattered pine nuts around them.

Bomboloni – Italian Doughnuts

Bomboloni are light, fluffy Italian donuts filled with rich pastry cream. Made with a mix of bread and all-purpose flour for an airy texture, these irresistible treats are perfect for a picnic breakfast or a dessert snack.

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Photo credit: xoxobella.com

A stack of three sugar-coated donuts filled with yellow custard is placed on a plate. A jar of milk and a slice of lemon are visible in the background.

Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies

These Italian lemon ricotta cookies, glazed with lemon, are light, chewy, and easy to make. A delightful treat with espresso or coffee, they’re perfect year-round for lemon and ricotta lovers.

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Photo credit: keepingitsimpleitalian.com

Eight glazed lemon cookies are laid out on a gray surface, with a blue cloth and whole lemons visible in the background.

Torta Della Nonna- Grandmothers Cake

Torta della Nonna is a cherished Italian dessert known for its rustic charm. This classic tart combines a buttery, lemon-infused shortcrust with velvety Italian pastry cream.

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Photo credit: marcellinaincucina.com

A sliced custard tart with powdered sugar on top, resting on parchment paper atop a wooden cutting board. One slice is being served.

Chocolate Salami

This Italian Chocolate Salami is a no-bake treat. Known as “Salame di Cioccolato,” it has regional variations, but despite the different names, they are all delicious chocolate treats shaped to look like salami.

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Photo credit: marcellinaincucina.com

Set the Scene

Small little flourishes and details can give your picnic a rustic Italian countryside vibe. It can be as simple as using patterned tablecloths, Italian-themed picnicware, and a rustic wicker basket.

Capri Picnic Paper Plates

Set of 8 Capri Lemon paper plates. Other Italian designs and table ware available.

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