Holiday Ayo - Due to their names, some of these dishes are believed to be authentically Italian. In fact, some were actually created abroad by Italian immigrants.

Italy is known for its culinary heritage. From pasta to pizza, each recipe has strict rules regarding ingredients, techniques, and even preparation times.

For Italians, cooking isn't just about taste, but also about preserving a cultural identity passed down through generations.

However, when Italian immigrants migrated to America and other countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they brought their recipes and flavors with them.

This gave rise to new versions of Italian food that are now more widely known than the original recipes.

Interestingly, many dishes considered quintessentially Italian are actually unknown in their home countries.

1. Pasta Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo is a popular dish in Italian-American restaurants, complete with a thick creamy sauce and generous amounts of grated Parmesan cheese.

However, the version known abroad is quite different from the one found in Italy.

In Rome, fettuccine al burro, or pasta with butter and Parmesan cheese, is a simple dish without the addition of cream.

Alfredo di Lelio, a Roman chef, actually created this dish in 1914 for his wife after she had just given birth.

However, the American version emerged after several Hollywood actors tasted it and brought it to Los Angeles.

The recipe was modified to be richer and creamier. Ironically, if you mention this dish in Rome, the waiter will likely frown in confusion, as Alfredo pasta is virtually unknown there.

2. Pepperoni Pizza

Pepperoni pizza is often considered the pinnacle of Italian culinary delights. It consists of thin dough, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and sliced red sausage called pepperoni.

However, Italians don't know pepperoni pizza as we know it today. The word "pepperoni" itself comes from the Italian word for peppers, not sausage.

The distinctive red pepperoni sausage, however, was actually invented by Italian immigrants in the United States in the early 20th century. In Italy, traditional pizzas like the Margherita or Napolitana are much simpler.

The excessive use of toppings, as in the American version, is even considered too busy for Italian palates.

3. Marinara Sauce

Many think of marinara sauce as a classic Italian sauce used with various types of pasta or pizza. In fact, the term and recipe actually developed in America, not Italy.

The word marinara actually comes from marinaro, meaning sailor. Traditionally, Southern Italians had a simple tomato sauce for fishermen, but the original version was not as sweet or rich as the marinara sauce popular abroad.

The Italian version usually contains only tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and a little oregano. No added sugar, onions, or dried herbs like in the American version.

The modern version of marinara sauce emerged in the kitchens of Italian immigrants in New York and New Jersey.

Eventually, this sauce became an Italian icon in the Western world, even though Italians themselves almost never mention marinara in their daily cooking.

Bolgnese sauce, in Bologna, Italy, is not actually served with spaghetti.

4. Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti bolognese is considered the most famous Italian dish in the world and also the most misunderstood.

Abroad, spaghetti bolognese is known as pasta with a savory tomato-based minced meat sauce.

However, in the city of Bologna, Italy, such a dish is virtually unheard of. Instead, they call ragu alla bolognese, a thick meat sauce served with wide pasta like tagliatelle, not spaghetti.

The internationally recognized version of bolognese originated in England and America, when Italian immigrants tried to recreate their home-style dish with readily available ingredients.

Thus, an international version of spaghetti bolognese was born. It wasn't invented in Italy at all, but has now become a symbol of Italian cuisine worldwide.