Italian Christmas Recipes
Pasta with Mussels and Vodka Cream Sauce
This cream sauce is already so decadent and delicious, but there’s peas and pancetta mixed in too!
Crispy Fried-Cod Bites
Baccala, or salted and dried cod, is an Italian Christmas Eve tradition. Change things up this year with this recipe.
Photography by Armando Rafael
Lemon Cream Shrimp Scampi
Serve this scampi up with some crusty bread!
Cornmeal-Crusted Calamari
The best thing about this calamari? It's baked in the oven, not fried— so it's practically guilt-free!
Linguine & Mussels alla Diavola
Serve this dish with garlic bread!
Mussels in Spicy Broth
Crushed red pepper gives this dish its spicy kick.
Mussels in Spicy Broth
Santa-Pasti Wreath
This antipasti platter is St. Nick-approved!
Lasagna Bolognese
Lasagna + Bolognese is the Italian mashup of your dreams!
Vegetable Lasagna
The perfect hearty main for all the veggie lovers at your table.
Gnocchi alla Senese
The secret ingredient is...Vin Santo!
Pasta alla Norma
This classic Sicilian dish mirrors the colors of Christmas!
Antipasti Chopped Salad
Start the meal off with a little antipasti!
Lemon Panna Cotta
The perfect palette cleanser after a decadent dinner.
White Clam Pizza
Cut your pie into bite-sized pieces for an easy appetizer.
Fat Spaghetti with Frutti di Mare
Calamari, clams, lobster and shrimp—it doesn't get any fresher than this!
The Panettone
This panettone cocktail tastes just like the dessert it’s named after!
Italian Egg Drop Soup with Meatballs
Meatballs are essential to an Italian diet. Start your Christmas dinner off right with a bowl of this hearty soup.
Cavatelli with Sausage, Eggplant and Saffron Cream
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!
Italian Flag Halibut
A traditional Italian Christmas dinner includes seven different types of fish. Add a punch of color with this vegetable and halibut entrée.
Rigatoni with Lamb
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.
Christmas Pasta
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)!
Creole Butter Roasted Capon
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.
Cod with Eggplant Tomatoes & Basil
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.
Spicy Marinated Olives
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.
Italian Meatballs with Bruschetta
Give traditional bruschetta an Italian kick! These meatballs add a little spice and everything nice to a crowd-pleasing dish.
Broccoli Rabe Pugliese
This recipe from chef Mario Batali is inspired by the food of Italy's Puglia region. Pair it with a turkey or fish dish.
Italian Sausage Supper Stuffing
Pack sausage, peppers, tomatoes and cheese into this satisfying stuffing supper.
Italian Gnocchi with Pomodoro Sauce
Try this potato-based Italian favorite for a filling main course. Tip: Buy store bought gnocchi if you're short on time.
Salmon Salad
Continue the traditional fishy feast with this Salmon Salad. It's a lighter dish to make sure you get through all seven courses!
Figs with Ricotta and Honey
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!
Marzipan Mice
Traditionally, Italians will serve marzipan fruit or vegetables. For a modern twist, make these marzipan mice. Kids and adults alike will eat them up!
Italian Cheesecake with Cranberry Compote
Finish your holiday meal off strong with this traditional Italian dessert. The rich cake and sweet cranberry compote compliment each other perfectly.
Wine-Roasted Pears and Grapes
Turbinado sugar crystals add an unexpected crunch to the creme fraiche-topped traditional Italian dessert.
Bring on the Apps
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.
