56 Famous Foods That Start With P

Pizza became an instant hit when it arrived in America in the late 19th century. The pie is a round, flat wheat-based dough adorned with various toppings baked in a wood-fired oven at high temperatures.

Pasta is usually crafted from durum wheat and comes in over 300 shapes, including popular favorites like spaghetti, fettuccine, macaroni, and angel hair. With less salt than many noodles, it’s a versatile canvas for a medley of flavors.

Pork is meat extracted from pig carcasses, featuring different cuts like pork chop, pork ribs, pork tenderloins, and many more. As a popular protein source, pork is versatile in cooking, being able to adapt to many cooking styles and seasonings.

Phở is a comforting Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, meat, and herbs. There are two main types of phở, that being Southern (Sài Gòn) and Northern (Hà Nội) styles.

Pancakes are adored for their versatility and customizability, with thick, flat cakes made from an all-purpose flour batter. Toppings can range from sweet maple syrup to savory options like bacon.

Popcorn is based on popping corn kernels, which, when heated, expand and puff up due to the pressure. What makes popcorn even more irresistible is its signature flavors, such as cheese, salt, or butter.

Potatoes are a root vegetable with brown skin and white flesh known for their mild, sweet flavor along with the starchy and creamy texture. They are often thinly sliced for making potato chips.

Pineapples are not only a refreshing fruit, but healthy. These fruits have a sweet flavor with a hint of sourness, making them a fantastic ingredient in marinades, as their enzymes help tenderize meat.

Peanuts are actually legumes instead of nuts, and belong to the pea family! Hailing from South America, they’re known for their toasted flavor, often made into sweet treats like candy, and savory dishes such as sauces, salads, salad dressings, and soups.

Pumpkin is a type of winter squash that has a vibrant orange inner. Available in many countries across the world, pumpkin is often used as a vegetable in dishes, providing a soft, tender, and slightly sweet experience.

Porridge is a dish made by boiling grains like oats, corn, rice, or wheat in water or milk. Depending on the region and personal preference, the texture can range from thick and creamy to liquid.

Some well-known examples are oatmeal, Asian rice porridge (congee), and maize porridge from Latin America.

Originating from the Valencian region, this rice dish is considered the national food of Spain. The name “Paella” takes after the wide and shallow frying pan used to make this dish.

Pastries are versatile baked goods made from dough, water, shortening (like butter and fat), and flavorings. These baked goods feature sweet fillings like fruits and jam or savory options like meat and cheese.

Some pastry doughs you should know include phyllo, choux, flaky, puff, and shortcrust.

Pear has a great flavor filled with good nutrients and vitamins. These fruits are native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia with a tangy, sweet flavor with a gritty yet juicy flesh.

Prawns are those crustaceans that closely resemble shrimp with similar textures and flavors. Although the terms “prawn” and “shrimp” are often used interchangeably in recipes, prawns are generally larger, with three pairs of legs with claws, while shrimp have just one.

In British English, “prawn” typically refers to larger shrimp, while it denotes freshwater shrimp in America.

Pad Thai is a flavorful stir-fried rice noodle creation with shrimp, bean sprouts, scrambled eggs, and peanuts. It stands out thanks to additional condiments, such as palm sugar, red chili pepper, tamarind, and fish sauce.

Pecorino romano cheese is an aged, hard Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk, originating from the Lazio region. It has a sharp, salty flavor, that is great for grating over pasta, soups, and salads.

Provolone is a semi-hard Italian cheese made from cow’s milk, with a smooth texture and a taste that varies from mild to sharp. It’s used in a variety of dishes, including sandwiches and pizzas, and is known for its excellent melting qualities.

Parmesan is a hard, granular cheese from Italy, favored for its rich, nutty flavor and grainy texture. Aged for at least 12 months, it’s commonly incorporated into pasta dishes, stirred into soups and risottos, and used in a variety of Italian recipes.

Paneer is a fresh, unaged cheese common in Indian cuisine, known for its mild flavor and firm, non-melting texture. Made by curdling hot milk with an acid like lemon juice or vinegar, it’s a staple in vegetarian dishes, absorbing flavors from spices and gravies.

Botanically classified as fruits, peas are actually pod-shaped legumes. Despite that, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines label them as starchy vegetables.

The vegetable can help keep your skin supple and youthful.

Meaning “perfect” in English, parfait has already spread around the world with two popular versions. The original French dish features a texture similar to yogurt or ice cream after being frozen, while the English adaptation is all about layering ingredients in a tall glass.

Pita is a flatbread made from wheat, popularized in Middle Eastern cuisine. This bread is known for its signature pocket interior and encompasses various styles, such as Arabic bread and Greek pita.

This iconic sandwich of peanut butter and jam has been the go-to daily breakfast for many Americans. To celebrate this timeless favorite, National PB&J Day is held annually in the United States on April 2nd.

Peking duck is a famous Chinese roast duck dish that is made by hanging a duck inside a hung oven. Usually, the best cuts are removed when served, with skin and meat presented separately.

Pretzels are delightful snack breads from Germany, Italy, and France. Their dough is traditionally shaped into a knot before being fried and covered with various toppings.

Dating back to medieval France, pâté is a dish that can easily be used interchangeably with terrine. This coarse paste usually consists of minced pork, poultry, fish, seafood, or vegetables.

Pot pie is made with a variety of meat, including chicken, lamb, pork, and beef. It features a flaky pastry filled with proteins like poultry, beef, seafood, and vegetables, all coated in a gravy.

You can also celebrate National Great American Pot Pie Day on September 23 yearly!

Popsicle is also known as ice pop, a refreshing treat made from a mix of water, juices, fruit, and milk, all frozen on a stick. The stick acts as a convenient handle, making it easy to enjoy your popsicle without a mess.

Pudding is a versatile food category with different meanings in America and England. In England, it’s a savory dish made with flour that requires boiling or steaming in a dish or even an animal intestine.

In America, puddings are exclusively desserts, characterized by a sweet, custard-like dish with a thick, spongy texture.

Pilaf is a rice dish of Persian origin. In American English, it’s called Pilaf, while in British English, it goes by Pilau. This dish features fluffy, fragrant rice like basmati, cooked in stock or broth with spices, vegetables, or meat.

Plums are small, oval-shaped stone fruits that resemble oversized cherries. They have a smooth, thin, waxy purple skin and dense, sweet-tart yellow flesh.

Poke bowl is a traditional Hawaiian dish consisting of raw fish or shrimp marinated in a variety of sauces. The term “poke” means “to slice” in the native Hawaiian language.

Originating from Poland, pierogi are delightful dumplings made of unleavened dough that people can bake, fry, or boil. They come filled with an array of savory ingredients, such as cheese, ground meat, sauerkraut, mushrooms, and potatoes.

Panini is made popular by Italian immigrants. Instead of just using the same cut of meat, panini uses many types of cured meat, including ham, mortadella, and salami. Usually, it’s made with Italian bread like ciabatta, michetta, or rosetta.

Philly cheesesteak sandwiches debuted in the early 20th century with a mouthwatering combination of thinly sliced beefsteak and melted cheese on a long hoagie roll. Rib-eye or top-round cuts are popular options for tender meat cooked alongside cheese.

Prosciutto, originating from Italy, is an uncooked and unsmoked dry-cured ham. On the other hand, pancetta is a salt-cured pork belly meat product known as salume. Pepperoni is an American spicy salami made from cured pork and beef.

Pastrami, originally a Romanian delicacy, is made from beef brisket, with modern recipes that might adapt pork or poultry. The meat is usually fattier than common beef, so mind that in your next serving of pastrami.

As an Italian dish, polenta gets its bright yellow color and mild sweetness from coarsely ground corn, which is boiled while stirring constantly. Served as a hot porridge, it offers a soft, creamy texture.

Popover is how Americans interpret the Yorkshire puddings in their cuisine. These popovers are extremely airy bread rolls used as a snack, dessert, or light breakfast, especially when topped with fruits and whipped cream.

Poutine is a national Canadian dish that consists of french fries, cheese, and a good dose of gravy. This mouthwatering poutine combines twice-fried fries, savory brown gravy made with chicken or beef, and chunks of melting French cheese curds.

Picadillo is a Latin American dish combining ground meat like beef, olives, raisins, spices, potatoes, and optional veggies; all simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Its sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors pair well with rice, empanadas, or tacos.

Pottage from Northern France is a thick soup or stew made by cooking vegetables and grains in a pot. This versatile dish was once popular among the poor, but even the rich enjoyed it with added meat or fish.

Poori mainly consists of unleavened whole-wheat flour. Its nutty flavor is popular for breakfast, snacks, or light meals. In Southern India, breakfast often includes poori alongside various accompaniments.

Pandoro, translated to “golden bread”, is a traditional Italian sweet bread especially popular during Christmas and New Year celebrations. The bread’s unique shape mimics a frustum with an eight-pointed star section.

Panettone is a fluffy cake treat hailing from Milan in modern Italy. The iconic cupola shape of the panettone stands around 4.7-5.9 inches tall, while the total bread weighs about 2.2 pounds.

Paska, or pască, is a traditional Romanian and Moldovan pastry for Easter festivities. This tantalizing sweet commonly has a cozonac dough base filled with fresh cheese like urdă or cottage cheese, raisins, eggs, and sugar.

Pot roast is a classic American dish, slow-cooked to perfection using tough cuts of beef like chuck roast, round roast, or beef brisket. The meat in this dish is usually very chewy, which might be tough if you cook it any other way.

Pulled pork is a part of southern US cuisine made from slowly barbequeing pork shoulder in a smoker. Traditionally, it is eaten with white bread, barbeque sauce, and lots of sauerkraut, a fermented cabbage side dish from Germany.

Pop-Tarts are toaster pastries made by Kellogg’s, a large American food company. They come in pairs of thin, rectangular pieces with a sweet filling.

Pakora, also known as pikora, pakoda, or pakodi, is a fried fritter from Indian cuisine. Commonly, people often coat vegetables like onions, potatoes, or cauliflower with a garam flour batter before deep-frying.

Panna cotta is a classic Italian dessert with sweetened cream, thickened with gelatin, and molded into a lovely mound or semi-spherical shape.

Profiteroles, known as cream puffs or chou à la crème, are delightful little hollow choux pastry balls. Originating from France and Italy, they can have sweet delights like whipped cream, ice cream, custard, or pastry cream in the middle.

Potato salad is a dish of boiled or mashed potatoes, boiled eggs, vegetables, and a dressing like mayonnaise or sour cream. Originating in Germany, this popular side dish is served cold and enjoyed in many Western countries.

Parsnips are sweet root veggies from the same carrots and parsley family. They can pair nicely with sweet condiments, herbs, spices, veggies, and meats. A little tip: parboil them before cooking to make them less chewy.

Parsley offers a peppery and earthy taste along with strong antibacterial properties. You can use parsley in almost any dish, and while both seeds and leaves are flavorful, the seeds pack a stronger punch.