20 Holiday Recipes to Celebrate Like an Italian

In Italy, Italians go big for the holidays—lots of courses and plenty of desserts! Looking for holiday recipes to feast like an Italian? We’ve got you covered 🙂

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, these Italian wonders, ranging from classic risottos to heartwarming pastas, are crafted to inspire and delight. So, don your apron, light some candles, and let the allure of Italy transform your dining table into a tableau of amore. Many of the pasta recipes are in our NEW cookbook (below), which would make a fantastic holiday gift for those foodies in your family:

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Italian Holiday Recipes: Seafood

#1 Spaghetti with Clam Sauce

Succulent and easy—with our tips and video guide! Better than what you’ll find in almost every Italian restaurant outside of Italy! Serve with a glass of fine Vermentino wine!

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#2 Baked Sea Bass (with Potatoes and Tomatoes)

Sea bass is so mild, it appeals to almost everyone. If working with whole fish isn’t your thing, just sandwich the herbs and aromatics between two cleaned filets. Fast and easy and oh so tasty. This is a classic recipe from the Italian island of Sardegna!

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#3 Spaghetti with Mussels and Tomatoes

Even easier than Spaghetti with Clams (mussels require virtually no prep), this classic Italian pasta recipe is the perfect way to level up your holiday dinner.

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#4 Penne alla Vodka with Salmon (Smoked)

A SUPER easy pasta dish that will knock your socks off! There are two ways to make a classic Italian vodka pasta recipe—this is the salmon variation. Vodka is an easy way to elevate sauces to the next level. This recipe is incredibly easy and will transport you to the passionate 1980 disco scene of Italy.

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Italian Holiday Recipes: Meat Lovers’

#5 Penne alla Vodka with Pancetta

Prefer to a meat-lovers’ version of the famous Penne alla Vodka? Look no further than this recipe with tomato and pancetta, popular during the 1970’s in Italy.

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#6 Truffle Pasta

If there’s ever a time to indulge in a truffle-infused dish, it’s during the holiday season! If you can’t find or afford fresh truffle, feel free to use a truffle-infused product to take this Norcia Pasta recipe to the next level.

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#7 Best Italian Steak Recipe

A super easy way to please the carnivores for the holiday! The famous ‘Tagliata’ is easy to prepare in a pan. Be sure to follow the tips and watch the video to master this easy recipe.

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#8 Beef Wellington

We know, this is not an ‘easy’ recipe, but it’s the perfect showstopper for your holiday dinner. While not ‘Italian,’ this recipe does sing with Italian flavors: prosciutto and mushroom! Our video recipe makes it easy to make this famous dish step by step.

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#9 Ragù Bolognese with Tagliatelle

Ragù Bolognese is a popular recipe for most every Italian holiday. It’s very easy, and while you slow cook it, you and your love can finish the bottle of wine that doesn’t go in the Ragù 😉

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#10 Bolognese Lasagna

Or, take that Ragù Bolognese and use it to make an Italian classic for the holidays: a Bolognese Lasagna!

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#11 ‘Papalina’ Pasta

Don’t let the name fool you, the so-called ‘Pope’s Pasta’ is a lesson in passion and decadence! With a creamy egg sauce, onion, prosciutto and parmigiano cheese, this pasta dish is perfect for an intimate holiday dinner.

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Italian Holiday Recipes: Vegetarian

There’s nothing wrong with keeping it light and easy for the holidays. These Italian Vegetarian recipes fit the bill. If you are looking for something cheesy or creamy to make for your holiday dinner, you’ll find it here:

#12 Butternut Squash Risotto

We can’t understand why more people aren’t interested in making risotto! It’s not hard!! We promise 🙂 We’ll show you how to make restaurant-quality risotto in a few simple steps. Finish it with butter, Parmigiano or even gorgonzola cheese.

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#13 Fettuccine ‘Alfredo’

Believe it or not, this classic dish is one of the fastest and easiest you can make from the Italian vaults. It’s so easy, restaurants in Italy usually don’t bother to put it on the menu. However, if you make it the right way, it’ll be better than anything you’ve ever had at a restaurant.

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#14 Butternut Squash Ravioli

Prove your love with homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli, or make it as a couple! This is a traditional recipe from Mantova Italy and has some fun ingredients. We think it will be the best ravioli you’ve ever tasted!

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Italian Holiday Recipes: Desserts

#15 Tiramisù

After a delicious Italian main course, you’ll want a ‘pick me up’ (the Italian translation of ‘Tiramisù)! No raw eggs, no worries.

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#16 Italian Hot Chocolate

Yes, there is such a thing as an Italian hot chocolate and it is an easy, decadent end to a delicious holiday dinner.

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#17 Chocolate Lava Cake

Chocolate Lava Cake—so easy and you’ll definitely want to reach for the Italian chocolate brands we recommend.

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#18 Sicilian Cannoli

Finish your holiday dinner with the flavors of Sicily!

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#19 Zuppa Inglese

This dessert is a showstopper! Layers of sponge cake… two types of silky pastry cream… liquor. What’s not to love? Serve it in a trifle bowl if the cake seems too difficult.

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#20 Italian Almond Cake

This Italian Almond Cake is a Tuscan classic. Simple, butter, delicious!

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Holiday Gift Ideas for Italian Foodies!

We’ve got SO MANY gift ideas for the foodie or cooking enthusiast. Click the links to learn more:

The Best Pasta Cookbook for Beginners: Ours!

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Italian ‘Made in Italy’ Mortar and Pestle

Made in Italy Ceramic Gifts

‘Made in Italy’ Hand Crank Pasta Machines

These are the most affordable models of pasta roller/cutter machines as they are hand crank. Amazon Affiliate links:

►Marcato: https://amzn.to/3tuia4X

► Imperia: https://amzn.to/48iEb5B

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