I don’t know how she does it, but my mom cooks dinner for my entire family — around eight of us, spanning four generations — almost every single night. For her, an Italian immigrant who enjoyed home-cooked meals from her mother when she was in my shoes, it’s all about keeping tradition alive and prioritizing family time.

But as you might imagine, this routine can get tiring. After daily errands and grandmother duties, dinnertime needs to be as simple as possible. That’s where her tried-and-true kitchen gadgets come in handy. My mom has relied on a handful of tools to help get dinner on the table for years. And as someone who recently started building out her own kitchen arsenal, I can confirm that these tools are worth adding to your cart — especially if you like cooking Italian meals at home. 

Shop Italian Mom-Recommended Kitchen Gadgets

• OXO Good Grips Small Citrus Juicer, $12
• Ehomea2z Glass Olive Oil Dispenser Bottle, $9, originally $13
• Pyrex Simply Store 3-Pack Glass Storage Containers, $18
• OXO Good Grips Cherry & Olive Pitter, $11, originally $15
• Ortarco Garlic Storage Containers, $10
• Cuisinart 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pasta Pot with Straining Cover, $55
• Zyliss Wine & Champagne Bottle Stoppers, $6, originally $8
• Cambom Rotary Cheese Grater, $27, originally $30

OXO Good Grips Small Citrus Juicer

Lemon is a frequent find in my mom’s kitchen, starring in everything from chicken piccata to simple salad dressing to cozy cups of tea. A good citrus squeezer is key for getting every last drop of juice without having to pick out the pits. But what sets this tool apart from something like a handheld juicer is that it’s attached to a 2.5-ounce cup with measurement markings, making it especially convenient for large batches and precise recipes.

Ehomea2z Glass Olive Oil Dispenser Bottle

Because olive oil is used in every — yes, every — one of my mom’s dishes, she typically buys it in bulk (think large gallons stored in the cabinet). So it makes sense that she relies on a small olive oil dispenser for easy countertop access. This glass bottle has a drip-free spout that delivers a controlled pour, so none of that liquid gold will go to waste. Bonus points: It’s made in Italy!

Pyrex Simply Store 3-Pack Glass Storage Containers

Cooking as often as my mom does usually results in leftovers. And, unsurprisingly, she has this part of the routine nailed down as well. She relies on glass Pyrex containers (she owns a million of them) because they’re easily stackable, can go from fridge to oven, and won’t impart any microplastics into your food. Beyond my mom, glass Pyrex food storage containers are a favorite among our writers’ and editors’ mothers.

OXO Good Grips Cherry & Olive Pitter

Olives are another main character in my mom’s Italian recipes, adding flavor to dishes like chicken cacciatore and broccoli rabe pasta. Since she’s loyal to a singular non-pitted olive variety (imported Gaeta olives), this reliable olive pitter is a non-negotiable. It cuts prep time in half by removing olive pits of all sizes in seconds. It also boasts a non-slip, ergonomic design that keeps your hand comfortable even after pitting a bowl full of olives, and it’s dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. 

Ortarco Garlic Storage Containers

Garlic is another ever-present ingredient in the Italian kitchen. (My mom has a whole chopping tool dedicated to it!) Since there’s always a need for fresh garlic, keeping all the cloves organized is a must. My mom swears by this garlic storage container, not just for its adorable shape, but for its convenient locking mechanism, see-through lid, and ability to keep garlic odors contained.

Cuisinart 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pasta Pot with Straining Cover

At my mom’s house, pasta is on the menu multiple times a week. So, it’s no surprise that she knows all the tips and tricks for churning it out as efficiently as possible. A major game changer that I’ve adopted in my own kitchen? Investing in pots with straining covers, like this Cuisinart one. This way, there’s no need to pull out a dedicated strainer every time you make pasta (or anything boiled). One less thing to wash! 

Zyliss Wine & Champagne Bottle Stoppers

It’s very common to find a bottle of Prosecco sitting in the back of my parents’ fridge, always ready to pop open and celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or work promotion. When those occasions do come around, it’s also very common to have some bubbly left over. That’s when my mom relies on these bottle stoppers, which offer a leakproof seal that keeps the bubbles fresh for days. This way, no Prosecco goes to waste — whether it’s poured in an Aperol spritz or simmered in a fish sauce later in the week.

Cambom Rotary Cheese Grater

Some clichés are just true, like the fact that Italians are serious about their cheese. Whether it’s sprinkled atop pasta or simmered with sauteed veggies, there’s never a shortage of Parmigiano Reggiano in my mom’s kitchen. (She actually buys it by the wheel and vacuum seals the pieces.) A solid rotary cheese grater like this one goes a long way, saving time and energy taken up by traditional cheese graters, as it’s able to yield much greater results in a shorter period of time.