You will love our antipasto platter, a beloved tradition that turns every gathering into a festive celebration of flavours and aromas from Italian meat and cheese.
If you've always dreamed of creating the perfect Italian Antipasto Platter but weren't sure where to start, you're in the right place!
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Ideal for foodies, entertainers, and lovers of Italian cuisine, this antipasto recipe guide will walk you through assembling a mouthwatering Italian Meats and Cheese Board, complete with all the accompaniments that make it truly authentic.
Use the above button to jump straight to the printable recipe card or continue reading for all the info and suitable substitutions.
We also have a blog post about creating the perfect cheese board you may find helpful. Or try our ploughmans lunch for a British twist on meat and cheese
What is Antipasto?
Originating from Italy, 'antipasto' literally means "before the meal." It's designed to whet the appetite rather than completely satisfy it, setting the stage for the delicious main courses to follow. We have been known to have it as our main meal, especially during summer when it's too hot to cook!
Creating the perfect Italian antipasto platter involves selecting the finest ingredients and using the right equipment to assemble, serve, and enjoy it.
Our platter serves 8-10 individuals as a starter or appetizer and 6 as a main course. Adjust the board size and ingredient quantities accordingly based on the number of guests you're serving.
Equipment
Having the appropriate serving pieces and utensils on hand will make the experience even more delightful.
Arranging the Platter
Lay your artificial foliage down and place the board on top, add a cloth for a spot of colour and rope for a rustic feel. Now, let's go through the ingredients you will need.
We started with the items that needed serving dishes (they will be mentioned in the appropriate categories below) Artichoke, olives, mozzarella balls and arancini.
As these take up a lot of space, place them down first.
Italian Ingredients
When it comes to selecting your Italian meats and cheeses, diversity and quality are key. Here are some must-haves for the perfect antipasto platter.
We purchased all the ingredients shown on our antipasto board from Marks and Spencers, which has a fantastic selection of Italian products.
Italian Cheeses
Choosing the right fresh cheeses for your antipasto platter is like picking the perfect partners for your Italian meats. A good variety ensures that every bite is a new discovery. From soft cheeses and creamy to firm, sharp salty cheese.
Italian cheeses add depth and richness to your board. Whether you're a fan of milder flavours or love cheese with a bit of a bite, there's an Italian cheese to match your taste.
Here's a lineup of Italian cheeses we use from left to right to elevate your antipasto experience:
Taleggio
Has a strong aroma yet mild taste with a fruity tang that fits perfectly on the platter.
Grana Padano
A hard, slow-ripened, semi-fat cheese that is fabulous for serving in slices.
Mozzarella Balls
Mini balls of semi soft cheese with mild flavour made from cows milk.
Gorgonzola
A pungent Italian blue cheese is perfect for adding a bold flavour to the board.
For other Italian cheeses, consider adding, Ricotta Salata for a firmer, sliceable option, Fontina for a creamy, nutty taste, and Provola for a smoky touch. Don't forget Burrata, a milky mozzarella known for its buttery centre.
Italian Meats
To kick off your traditional antipasti platter, choosing the right Italian cured meats is essential. You'll want a mix of flavours and textures to delight your guests.
Think tender, spicy, salty, and savoury—all on one platter. We'll guide you through picking the best selections that are guaranteed to impress. Whether you're familiar with Italian charcuterie or exploring for the first time, here's what you need to get started.
Mortadella
A large Italian sausage or cold cut made of finely hashed or ground, heat-cured pork.
Prosciutto Di Parma
A dry-cured pork sliced thinly sliced from the hind leg. It has a salty taste.
Coppa
Mature cold cuts of pork great choice for adding depth to your meat selection.
Pancetta
Cut from the belly of pig, a fatty slice, smoked and sometimes spiced.
Salami
Italian Salamis sold in a pack containing Napoli, Milano and Felino.
Italian Pepperoni
Part of the salami family we like to choose a spicy one with peppercorns
Bresaola
This cured beef is brined for 15 days and left to age.
Enhance the visual appeal and depth of your board by crafting a rose using some of the meats or salamis. Arrange them along the edge of a small glass, then elegantly transfer them onto the board.
Dips
A well-crafted Italian antipasto platter is not just about the assortment of cured meats, cheeses, bread and vegetables; it’s also about the harmony of flavours they create when paired with the perfect dips.
Dips can enhance the overall experience, adding layers of texture and taste that complement each component of your platter beautifully.
Green Pesto
A rich, flavorful sauce made from basil, pine nuts, parmesan, and olive oil, perfect for pasta or as a spread
Olive and Tomato Tapenade
A savoury blend of olives, tomatoes, capers, and herbs, ideal as an appetizer on toast or crackers.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Balsamic Vinegar
A classic combination for dipping bread, dressing salads, or drizzling over vegetables.
Some other classic Italian dips that will make your Italian charcuterie platter truly unforgettable are ricotta dip, bagna cauda, cannellini bean dip and garlic dipping oil.
Vegetables
Adding vegetables to your Antipasto Platter not only brings a splash of colour but also introduces a refreshing crunch and a variety of flavours that complement the rich meats and cheeses.
Here, we'll explore some top vegetable picks that can transform your board into a vibrant and balanced showcase of Italian delight.
Marinated Artichokes
Artichokes are marinated vegtables that add a tangy element to your platter.
Pickled Chilli Peppers
Adding chillies is perfect for those who like a bit of spice. Use fresh, oiled or pickled chilli peppers.
Fresh Basil
Fresh herbs add vibrant colour to the Italian meats, cheeses and vegetables.
Queen Nocellara Olives
These Italian green olives are known for their mild butter taste.
We also add tender briny black Italian olives.
Try adding other marinated veggies or pickled vegetables like roasted red peppers or cherry peppers to your antipasto platters. Or fresh veggies such as carrot sticks and sliced romano peppers give extra colour to your Italian style antipasto tray.
Nuts and Fruit
Adding nuts and fruit to your Italian charcuterie board brings in sweet, tart, and crunchy textures that complement the savoury flavours of the meats and cheeses perfectly.
Think of these additions as the finishing touches that round out the variety and ensure there's a little something for everyone's taste.
Grapes
Perfect for adding a sweet touch to the board, we use red and green varieties.
Piccolo Tomatoes
Tiny bursts of flavour, any cherry tomatoes is ideal for this antipasto platter.
Sun dried Tomatoes (or sunblush)
Rich and savoury, a great addition to Italian cured meat and cheese board.
Pistachios in shell
Fun to crack open, offering a crunch that's both satisfying and nutritious.
Walnuts
Crunchy and earthy, fantastic with cheeses.
Almonds
Popular in Italy, roasted almonds bring a deliciously nutty element.
You could also add dried fruit, such as apricots and figs, to provide a sweet contrast to the savoury meats and cheeses, or fresh fruits such as Gala apples, Sicilian red oranges (blood oranges) or fresh figs.
Italian Bread
No Italian antipasto platter would be complete without the right selection of bread. The bread is the ultimate companion to the rich flavours found on your board, offering a base for stacking cheese and fruit for dipping.
A contrast to the intense flavours of the meats and cheeses. Choose various types of Italian bread that complement the other components of your platter and elevate the overall eating experience.
Focaccia Bread
A flavourful and moist Italian bread known for its olive oil richness and fragrant herbs sprinkled on top.
Bruschetta Bread
Often used as a base for bruschetta, this crusty bread is grilled, toasted, and rubbed with olive oil.
Flatbread
A thin, crisp flatbread, perfect topped with cheeses.
Breadsticks
Long, thin pieces of crispy bread, perfect as an appetizer or side, often seasoned with garlic, herbs, and parmesan.
If you like fish, why not add our Smoked Mackerel Pate to the platter too.
We like to serve antipasto when we have a gathering of friends and family. It is all about bringing people together and sharing a variety of tastes and textures. The recipe card is below.
You could include small labels for each cheese and meat, especially if you're hosting for guests. More information is below, including wine pairing advice.
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Italian Antipasto Platter
Ingredients
Cheeses
- 150 g Gorgonzola
- 150 g Taleggio
- 150 g Mozzarella Balls
- 150 g Grana Padano
Italian Meats
- 100 g Mortadella
- 100 g Italian Salami Selection - Milano, Napoli, Calabrian
- 200 g Italian Cured Meats Selection - Pancetta, Prosciutto, Coppa, Bresaola
- 100 g Italian Pepperoni
Nuts and Fruit
- 500 g Grapes
- 200 g Piccolo Tomatoes
- 100 g Sundried Tomatoes - or Sun Blushed
- 70 g Pistachios - in shell
- 70 g Walnuts
- 70 g Almonds
Vegetables
- 40 g Pickled Chilli Peppers
- 180 g Artichokes - marinated
- 150 g Queen Nocellara Olives
- 150 g Black Olives
- 25 g Basil Leaves
Bread
- 300 g Focaccia Bread
- 200 g Bruschetta Bread - or sliced ciabatta
- 100 g Breadsticks
- 100 g Flatbread
Dips
- 30 g Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 tablespoon Green Pesto
- 2 tablespoon Olive and Tomato Tapenade
Other
- 10 rolls Prosciutto & Cheese Rollotios - from M&S
- 80 g Parmigiano Reggino & Chilli Biscuits - from M&S
- 7 Arancini Balls
- 1 bottle Prosecco
Instructions
- Gather your equipment.
- Lay down your board. We like to use some artificial foliage around it, and add some colour with a teatowel and rope to add a rustic touch.
- Begin by placing the items that need bowls such as 150 g Queen Nocellara Olives, 150 g Black Olives,180 g Artichokes, 7 Arancini Balls, 150 g Mozzarella Balls and 100 g Sundried Tomatoes.
- Lay down cheeses, 150 g Gorgonzola150 g Taleggio and 150 g Grana PadanoSlice the first few pieces and leave the knives next to them.
- Use a small glass to layer some 100 g Italian Salami Selection or 200 g Italian Cured Meats Selection around.
- Tip upside down onto the board.
- This creates a pretty flower and adds depth to the sliced meats
- For other 100 g Italian Salami Selection you can roll them and for 200 g Italian Cured Meats Selection and 100 g Mortadella simply fold them, and prop up against other items. Grouping each type for visual appeal. Fan out the small 100 g Italian Pepperoni in layers.
- Next add 2 tablespoon Green Pesto and 2 tablespoon Olive and Tomato Tapenade into small bowls. Pour 30 g Extra Virgin Olive Oil into a small bowl with 1 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar.
- Fill in gaps with remaining vegetables, fruits and nuts. 500 g Grapes, 200 g Piccolo Tomatoes, 70 g Pistachios, 70 g Walnuts, 70 g Almonds, 40 g Pickled Chilli Peppers and a scattering of 25 g Basil Leaves. If you run out for room, begin positioning them around the board
- Finally, tuck in 300 g Focaccia Bread, 200 g Bruschetta Bread, 100 g Breadsticks and 100 g Flatbread around the outside of the board. We also added some 80 g Parmigiano Reggino & Chilli Biscuits too,
- Consider pairing your antipasto platter with wine or 1 bottle Prosecco take a look at other wine suggestions below.
Video
Nutrition
Wine Pairing
An Italian feast is never complete without the perfect wine. Consider pairing your antipasto platter with
Sparkling Wine: For a light, bubbly start you can not go wrong with Italian prosecco or if you like it sweet try an Asti.
White Wine: A crisp white such as Pinot Grigio pairs brilliantly with lighter cheeses. For cured meats, a Friulano is the go-to wine.
Rose Wine: A sparkling rose like Freixenet goes great with medium mature Italian cheeses.
Red Wine: A bold Chianti complements stronger flavours like Gorgonzola and Pinot Noir is great with mature cured meats.
Now that you have the knowledge and inspiration to create your own Italian Antipasto Platter, we invite you to share your creations on our social media channels!
Storage
Before serving your antipasto platter, follow the storage advice on the product's packaging.
When ready to serve, only do so 30 minutes before planning to eat to allow the meats and cheeses to come to room temperature for optimal flavour. Once everyone has had enough, return the meats and cheeses to the fridge to keep them fresh for future use.
Breads and nuts should be kept at room temperature in an airtight bag. Vegetables and fruits can be stored in the fridge.
More Platter Ideas
We love to create platter boards. Here are some others you may like.
caroline says
Wow, this recipe looks absolutely delicious! I can't wait to try it out this weekend. Thanks for sharing🤗!
Amy Liu Dong says
This platter looks like it can give you a great experience, you can create different combination of flavors and textures, it makes you creative and quick witted, it is awesome!
Luke and Kay says
Thank you for your kind words, Amy. Our platters are designed to inspire creativity and provide a fun and delicious experience for our readers. It makes so happy to know that you enjoyed the different combinations of flavours and textures. 🙂
Louise says
Love a good antipasto platter to serve at parties.
Luke and Kay says
Hi Louise,
Thank you for your kind words about our antipasto platter. We couldn't agree more, it is the perfect addition to any party! 🙂