Italian Christmas Recipes

This cream sauce is already so decadent and delicious, but there's peas and pancetta mixed in, too!

Recipe: Try our Pasta with Mussels and Vodka Cream Sauce

Baccala, or salted and dried cod, is an Italian Christmas Eve tradition. Change things up this year with this recipe.

Recipe: Try our Crispy Fried-Cod Bites

Serve this scampi up with some crusty bread!

Recipe: Try our Lemon Cream Shrimp Scampi

The best thing about this calamari? It's baked in the oven, not fried— so it's practically guilt-free!

Recipe: Try our Cornmeal-Crusted Calamari

Serve this dish with garlic bread!

Recipe: Try our Linguine & Mussels alla Diavola

Crushed red pepper gives this dish its spicy kick.

Recipe: Try our Mussels in Spicy Broth

This antipasti platter is St. Nick-approved!

Recipe: Try our Santa-Pasti Wreath

Lasagna + Bolognese is the Italian mashup of your dreams!

Recipe: Try our Lasagna Bolognese

The perfect hearty main for all the veggie lovers at your table.

Recipe: Try our Vegetable Lasagna

The secret ingredient is...Vin Santo!

Recipe: Try our Gnocchi alla Senese

This classic Sicilian dish mirrors the colors of Christmas!

Recipe: Try our Pasta alla Norma

Start the meal off with a little antipasti!

Recipe: Try our Antipasti Chopped Salad

The perfect palette cleanser after a decadent dinner.

Recipe: Try our Lemon Panna Cotta

Cut your pie into bite-sized pieces for an easy appetizer.

Recipe: Try our White Clam Pizza

Calamari, clams, lobster and shrimp—it doesn't get any fresher than this!

Recipe: Try our Fat Spaghetti with Frutti di Mare

This panettone cocktail tastes just like the dessert it's named after!

Recipe: Try The Pannettone

Meatballs are essential to an Italian diet. Start your Christmas dinner off right with a bowl of this hearty soup.

Recipe: Try our Italian Egg Drop Soup with Meatballs

Add instant flair to your meal with interesting noodles. Cavatelli mixes great with any ingredients. We chose sausage and eggplant but mix-and-match as you like!

Recipe: Try our Cavatelli with Sausage, Eggplant and Saffron Cream

A traditional Italian Christmas dinner includes seven different types of fish. Add a punch of color with this vegetable and halibut entrée.

Recipe: Try our Italian Flag Halibut

This cheese-topped pasta will have friends and family coming back for seconds (and thirds). Pair with a light, refreshing salad for a well-rounded meal.

Recipe: Try our Rigatoni with Lamb

It wouldn't be Christmas dinner without a holiday-induced food coma post-dinner. The toppings on this dish seem endless (and you'll never want the meal to end)!

Recipe: Try our Christmas Pasta

Capon—a specifically fattened bird for eating—is a traditional Christmastime entrée in Italian culture. Tip: Use your leftovers for post-holiday sandwiches, throw it in a salad or use it in a potpie.

Recipe: Try our Creole Butter Roasted Capon

Here's a fresh twist on a traditional Italian dried cod dish. Serve the fish on a bed of couscous seasoned with olive oil and salt.

Recipe: Try our Cod with Eggplant Tomatoes & Basil

Spicy olives make a great appetizer. Seasoned with fresh herbs, citrus and crushed red pepper, these bite-size delights are perfect for munching while waiting for the rest of dinner to cook.

Recipe: Try our Spicy Marinated Olives

Give traditional bruschetta an Italian kick! These meatballs add a little spice and everything nice to a crowd-pleasing dish.

Recipe: Try our Italian Meatballs with Bruschetta

This recipe from chef Mario Batali is inspired by the food of Italy's Puglia region. Pair it with a turkey or fish dish.

Recipe: Try our Broccoli Rabe Pugliese

Pack sausage, peppers, tomatoes and cheese into this satisfying stuffing supper.

Recipe: Try our Italian Sausage Supper Stuffing

Try this potato-based Italian favorite for a filling main course. Tip: Buy store bought gnocchi if you're short on time.

Recipe: Try our Italian Gnocchi with Pomodoro Sauce

Continue the traditional fishy feast with this Salmon Salad. It's a lighter dish to make sure you get through all seven courses!

Recipe: Try our Salmon Salad

These sweet stuffed figs come together in no time and make a great dessert for big groups. Make sure to keep extras on hand -- they'll disappear quicker than you can make them!

Recipe: Try our Figs with Ricotta & Honey

Traditionally, Italians will serve marzipan fruit or vegetables. For a modern twist, make these marzipan mice. Kids and adults alike will eat them up!

Recipe: Try our Marzipan Mice

Finish your holiday meal off strong with this traditional Italian dessert. The rich cake and sweet cranberry compote compliment each other perfectly.

Recipe: Try our Italian Cheesecake with Cranberry Compote

Turbinado sugar crystals add an unexpected crunch to the creme fraiche-topped traditional Italian dessert.

Recipe: Try our Wine-Roasted Pears and Grapes

Now that you have the main meal planned it's time to come up with some munchies to complete the Christmas menu. Check out our 12 variations of bruschetta.

Get the recipes!

Holiday Dinner Menus for 4, 8, and 16 People

Holiday Party Champagne Cocktails