What are some TIPS for making ITALIAN FOOD

If u mean ''real Italian food first follow the KISS philosophy: Keep It Simple Stupid! :) No mean to offend you, it is an acronym used by computer geeks & developers, is a sort of rules every good programmer should apply when developing every kind of software. That ''recommendation'' is needed because too much people keep it too much elaborated.
The same apply for Italian food. True Italian food is simple, seasoning/condiment is light, very few garlic (I say it again: VERY FEW GARLIC! :-) or no garlic at all, prepare a tomato sauce cooking tomatoes along with oil (preferably extra virgin olive oil) for just few minutes.
If onion and/or garlic r needed, put them chopped in hot oil, let them became darker (not let them burn, of course), then add tomatoes & keep on cooking.

Italian food is a LOT of work.
The secret to great Italian food is time. Never rush it.
Italian food is wonderful because when cooking u LAYER the flavors. Unlike many other cuisines u would just throw everything together. However, with Italian u must add each ingredient after it has had a chance to assimilate itself into the medium. RISOTTO is a great example of this.
First heat olive oil & then onion until translucent once that happens the garlic can be added & so on.
The rice is added added until the kernels break allowing the rice to absorb the flavors of each additional ingredient thus infusing its flavor throughout. The constant stirring & adding of chicken broth as it cooks etc..
I love Italian food & it is not difficult to make but for the authentic flavors it does require patience & time.

Fresh herbs and tomatoes give the best flavor. Season with quality wine, and cook pasta al dente.

Do not rinse your pasta when you drain the water. The starch allows the sauce to stick better.

When you make lasagna, buy regular lasagna noodles and do not boil them. Cover your dish in foil when you put it in the oven. The moisture from the sauce and cheese will cook the noodles.

the secret ingredient is love!