

Instant Italian
2025– · FYI · 30 min · 2 seasons
S02E12 · Puff Pastry Party
Tue, 4 Aug, 12:30 pm
Anna throws a puff pastry party featuring three baked delights. She begins with a spinach and artichoke crostata filled with fresh pesto, twists up savory pizza straws, and ends on a sweet note with chocolate-hazelnut swirls.
About
Instant Italian works to take favorite Italian dishes and make them quick and easy for modern home cooks. Drawing on inspiration from her childhood visiting family in Calabria, Anna is known for her ingenious spins on familiar dishes. Whether she is transforming pasta with a snackable fried version (just minutes in an air fryer), perfecting a deeply flavored chicken cacciatore for an easy sheet-pan supper, or putting a creative twist on desserts like affogato mug cake and cannoli icebox cake, Anna is always finding fun and unique ways to update meals while still keeping the flavors true to their roots.
Episodes
- E01
Tiramisu Brownies
Tue, 30 June· 30 minAnna shows how to make decadent tiramisu brownies by combining hazelnut paste, melted chocolate, and a light whipped cream mixture.
- E02
Rice Reinvented
Tue, 30 June· 30 minNot sure what to do with leftover rice? Anna transforms it into two show-stopping dishes. She reinvents an Italian classic with arancini casserole, a cheesy, prosciutto-packed bake that tastes just like a rice ball.
- E03
Cozy Casseroles
Tue, 7 July· 30 min - E04
Sweet Meets Savory Brunch
Tue, 7 July· 30 min - E05
More Cheese, Please
Tue, 14 July· 30 minAnna shows just how irresistible cheese can be in two dishes. She starts with hand-cut cheesy fries paired with an Italian-style spicy ketchup, then bakes cheesy frittata muffins loaded with eggs, making them perfect for a quick and satisfying breakfast on the go.
- E06
Midnight Pasta & Limoncello Cake
Tue, 14 July· 30 minExtra virgin olive oil takes center stage as Anna whips up midnight pasta, a classic spaghetti dish Italians serve to guests at the end of the night. She then transforms citrus-infused olive oil into a tender limoncello olive oil cake, dusted lightly with powdered sugar for a sweet finish.
- E07
No Two Meatballs Are Alike
Tue, 21 July· 30 minAnna proves that no two meatballs are alike as she reimagines her mother's beloved recipe into three unique dishes. A blend of beef, veal, and pork forms the base for cozy meatballs in a blanket delicate polpettini, and crispy smashed meatball tacos.
- E08
Irresistible Vegetables
Tue, 21 July· 30 minAnna makes vegetables the star with two family-friendly dishes. She begins by roasting a whole cauliflower and serving it with a bright Italian salsa verde.
- E09
Chicken Wings & Cannoli Nachos
Tue, 28 July· 30 minNo forks needed as Anna shares two playfully hands-on recipes. She starts with crispy baked chicken wings rubbed with her signature Italian spice blend, then serves a sweet surprise with cannoli nachos, a fun twist on the classic Italian dessert.
- E10
One-Pot Wonders
Tue, 28 July· 30 minAnna cooks up two quick and delicious one-pot recipes. She starts with chicken Florentine, a creamy dish with chicken, spinach, and a splash of white wine. She then prepares acqua pazza, or crazy water fish, a classic Italian seafood dish simmered with tomatoes and wine.
- E11
Garlic Goodness
Tue, 4 Aug· 30 minAnna shows just how versatile garlic can be in two flavorful dishes. She starts with shrimp scampi meatballs, a playful twist on the Italian American favorite, then finishes with garlic bread pasta, a creamy, crunchy dish that's comfort in every bite.
- E12
Puff Pastry Party
Tue, 4 Aug· 30 minAnna throws a puff pastry party featuring three baked delights. She begins with a spinach and artichoke crostata filled with fresh pesto, twists up savory pizza straws, and ends on a sweet note with chocolate-hazelnut swirls.
Cast

Anna Francese Gass
Host

