Welcome to Little Nonni! I'm so happy you stopped by. I'm Maria D'Errico, an Italian-American nurse practitioner and passionate home cook. I am the recipe developer and photographer at Little Nonni, a food blog dedicated to nostalgic Italian recipes with simple ingredients.
What You'll Find on Little Nonni
- Nostalgic Italian recipes with real, simple ingredients. Many have been passed down through generations and are a mix of northern and southern Italian favorites, like this pasta al pesto, bucatini pomodoro, authentic pasta e fagioli, and walnut biscotti.
- Approachable recipes for both novice and expert cooks. Each recipe is clear and detailed with step-by-step photos, video, and expert tips. From a complex salted caramel budino to a simple rigatoni arrabbiata, I'll guide you every step of the way in making delicious Italian meals for you and your family.
- American favorites commonly eaten in Italian-American households, but this time re-imagined with simple ingredients! This includes 2 ingredient peanut butter cookies, rice crispy treats with marshmallow fluff, and a simple, buttery 3-2-1 pie crust.
- Guidance on how to source high quality, simple ingredients. This includes grass-fed dairy and beef, authentic San Marzano tomatoes, and extra virgin olive oil. As a board-certified holistic nurse practitioner with expertise in health promotion, I share evidence-based benefits of certain ingredients with links to reputable resources.
- An email newsletter where I share the latest Italian recipes and tips for cooking with simple, wholesome ingredients.
Simple Ingredients: The Heart of Little Nonni
At the heart of Little Nonni is the use of high quality, simple ingredients. Italian food celebrates fresh, seasonal produce, herbs, and spices to create complex flavors. The emphasis on simplicity allows the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine, resulting in delicious meals that are easy to prepare and enjoy.
But why do simple ingredients matter? As a nurse practitioner focused on health promotion, I am always keeping up with the latest evidence and best practices for nutrition. When I first learned about how ultra-processed foods may negatively impact health, I looked at what I ate and couldn't believe how many of these foods I added into my diet over the years. Even some foods that were marketed as "healthy" were ultra-processed with additives and preservatives. Life was busy and I prioritized the convenience of packaged foods over the wholesome food I grew up eating.
I was inspired to go back to the simple Italian cooking that I grew up with. I quickly realized that cooking at home can be a great way to reduce the intake of ultra-processed foods. But in the process, I learned so much more. Cooking was a bonding activity between myself and my husband. It was a connection with family and friends over nostalgic recipes. It was a way to remember loved ones that could no longer join us at the table. And I felt great.
We all lead busy lives, but cooking doesn't have to be a huge time investment. Every recipe has it's time and place. There are easy recipes like this lemon caper pasta that get weeknight dinners on the table in less than 30 minutes. There are labors of love for a slow Sunday afternoon, like this slow-simmered tagliatelle Bolognese. But cooking is truly worth the effort. Wholesome food is a cornerstone of wellness. Food can be nutritious and delicious using simple ingredients. Cooking can be a form of self care, and a way to create amazing memories with your loved ones. And it's ok to indulge in a treat once in a while!
About Maria D'Errico, Founder of Little Nonni
I am a nurse practitioner who loves to cook! My cooking style is influenced by my Italian grandmothers, known as "little nonni" in my family (the Italian word for grandparents). And yes – my nonni are the namesake and inspiration behind this blog! My culinary school was the Italian home kitchen, with recipes and cooking techniques passed down generations. Drawing inspiration from this Mediterranean style of cooking, I learned the art of elevating simple ingredients to create amazing flavors.
Coming from a Genovese and Piedmontese Italian family, most of the food I grew up with was from northern Italy. When I met my husband, whose family is from Sardinia, Apulia, and Sicily, I was introduced to a whole new world of southern Italian food. We instantly bonded over the nostalgic Italian food we grew up with, comparing notes on our favorite recipes, and blending the northern and southern Italian influences into our own style of home cooking.
I pursued a nursing career because I wanted to help people achieve their wellness goals, no matter how big or small. I am a Doctor of Nursing Practice with dual board certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse. My expertise includes primary care, health promotion, disease prevention, and holistic health.
After working more than a decade (and counting!) in healthcare, I decided to pursue my dream of creating a food blog. Combining my Italian heritage and expertise in health promotion, I wanted my blog to focus on Italian recipes that use high quality, simple ingredients. I've spent years partnering with people in their wellness journeys and I understand that food means a lot to us. Many of us are searching for better food options for ourselves and our families and don't know where to start. I'm hoping this blog can guide you on your journey!
Education & Certifications
- Doctor of Nursing Practice - University of Nevada Reno
- Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner specialty - University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing - University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) - American Nurses Credentialing Center
- Board Certified Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse (APHN-BC) - American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation
A Resource for You
The ultimate goal of Little Nonni is to be a resource to you – with delicious recipes that make Italian cooking fun and accessible, while helping to reduce ultra-processed foods in home cooking. Choosing better ingredients for you and your family doesn't mean eating a "perfect diet." It's about making better choices when you can and knowing that small changes add up.
Little Nonni is about balance and my recipes do not restrict any major food types. If you love to eat dairy, gluten, meat, and sugar in moderation, you're in the right place. You can still enjoy the nostalgic dishes you love while choosing simpler ingredients for you and your family. My recipes will make this easier and I promise we'll have fun along the way!
Frequently Asked Questions
A helpful way to identify ultra-processed foods is to look at the list of ingredients. Ultra-processed foods usually contain at least one ingredient that is never, or rarely, used in home kitchens. Some examples include packaged breads with added emulsifiers, bottled pasta sauces with preservatives, or breakfast cereals with added flavors and colors. Some common ultra-processed ingredients that you may see in packaged foods include high fructose corn syrup, fruit juice concentrate, and hydrogenated oils.
At first glance, some foods may not look ultra-processed when in fact they are, including certain flavored yogurts, refrigerated soups, and ready-to-eat meals. There are reputable resources for learning more about ultra-processed foods, including from Harvard, Cleveland Clinic, American Heart Association, and ultra-processed foods expert Dr. Carlos Monteiro.
Homemade Italian food naturally uses simple ingredients to create delicious, complex flavors. High quality, simple ingredients make a dish shine. Staying true to my Mediterranean roots, I like to eat seasonal fruits and veggies. I love grass-fed dairy and beef. And I prefer to eat organic when I can!
Instead of using store-bought sauces, soups, breads, and dressings that may contain artificial ingredients and preservatives, Italian recipes often make these from scratch. For example, my rigatoni al forno, vegetable orzo soup, Ligurian focaccia, and white balsamic vinaigrette showcase how simple and flavorful homemade options can be. Even Italian desserts like chocolate ricotta cake, Italian almond cake, and savoiardi (ladyfingers) are typically made with basic pantry staples like eggs, sugar, and flour. By making these at home, you have control over the ingredients, helping you to make treats that are both simple and delicious!
Making my own food has dramatically decreased the amounts of ultra-processed foods in my diet, but I do not eat "healthy" 100% of the time! As you can tell from my recipes, I love to indulge every once in a while. For me, it's all about balance.
As my nonni would say, just get in the kitchen and practice! I firmly believe that Italian cooking is for everyone and it should be fun! It's ok to make mistakes because you will always learn from them. Personally, I have made so many mistakes along the way, from failing to cooking a pasta al dente to making a focaccia dough that didn't rise. These mistakes have only made me a better cook with more wisdom and expertise to share with others. Even as you become experienced, there is always something new to learn in the kitchen. Also, remember that people are often their own harshest critic. A dish you have put your heart into will be amazing. Your friends and family will love it.
If you're new to Italian cooking, here are some easy recipes to start with: simple and delicious ricotta pesto pasta, tangy basil balsamic vinaigrette, fresh burrata caprese, and perfectly sweet Italian wedding cookies!
It's impossible to just pick one! My favorite food of all time is pasta al pesto, served Genovese style with potatoes. Growing up, my nonni and dad always made their own pesto and I've carried on that tradition in my own kitchen. Another favorite is when my nonni made gnocchi from scratch. All these years later, I can vividly remember her in the kitchen with the afternoon light pouring through the windows, and her using the back of a fork to make little ridges on the gnocchi. I was amazed by how three simple ingredients, potatoes, flour, and salt, could transform into delicious soft and pillowy dumplings. To this day, her gnocchi are the best I have ever had. It's an incredible experience to enjoy a dish that someone you love has poured their heart into.
The content on this website is for informational purposes only and may not be applicable in your specific circumstances. The content on this website is not medical, professional, or licensed advice and is not a substitute for consultation with a healthcare professional. Seek medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional for any questions. Consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet or the diet of an adult or child in your care. See our Disclaimer for more information.