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 cookbook (below), which would make a fantastic holiday gift for those foodies in your family:
Pasta Affair: 50 Authentic Italian Recipes
Seductive strands of pasta and sumptuous sauces… Are you ready to indulge in an unforgettable Pasta Affair? It’s the best pasta cookbook for beginners and a must-have for any serious lover of Italian food, featuring over 50 classic pasta recipes you can make at home!
Italian Christmas Recipes: Appetizers
#1 Italian Tuna Mousse
Italian tuna salad is almost always served as a ‘mousse’—smooth and creamy, it’s often used as a spread for cocktail sandwiches or even as a filling for roasted red peppers. It takes minutes to make, and is the perfect appetizer for the Eve or Christmas Day.
#2 Focaccia
There are many ways to make focaccia in Italy. Here are just a few of our favorite recipes. Whether you want a classic Focaccia Genovese (short and crispy), a tall bubbly no-knead focaccia or a rosemary focaccia, we’ve got you covered. And of course, it’s the perfect way to serve that Italian tuna mousse 😉
#3 Sicilian Fennel and Orange Salad
Discover the traditional Italian Orange and Fennel Salad recipe popular in the Sicily region of Italy! Translated from the original Italian.
Pasta Affair: 50 Authentic Italian Recipes
Seductive strands of pasta and sumptuous sauces… Are you ready to indulge in an unforgettable Pasta Affair? It’s the best pasta cookbook for beginners and a must-have for any serious lover of Italian food, featuring over 50 classic pasta recipes you can make at home!
Italian Christmas Recipes: Seafood
#4 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!
#5 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!
#6 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.
#7 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.
#8 Seafood Spaghetti (Pasta allo Scoglio)
A seafood extravaganza, the famous “Pasta on the Rock” is one of our family’s favorite dishes for Christmas Eve. And Nonna Lulu’s recipe is to die for!
#9 Zesty Salmon
Discover Italian Grandma Lulu’s Herbed Salmon recipe—with garlic, thyme, lemon, chives.. and a secret ingredient. Bake it or grill it!
Pasta Affair: 50 Authentic Italian Recipes
Seductive strands of pasta and sumptuous sauces… Are you ready to indulge in an unforgettable Pasta Affair? It’s the best pasta cookbook for beginners and a must-have for any serious lover of Italian food, featuring over 50 classic pasta recipes you can make at home!
Italian Christmas Recipes: Meat Lovers’
#10 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.
#11 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.
#12 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.
#13 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.
#14 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 😉
#15 Bolognese Lasagna
Or, take that Ragù Bolognese and use it to make an Italian classic for the holidays: a Bolognese Lasagna!
#16 Traditional Meat Tortellini (Bolognesi)
Tortellini is one of the most traditional dishes for celebrating Christmas Day like an Italian! While every family has their own twist, by far the most famous recipe is the one from Bologna. It will make about 1000 tortellini and earns its reputation!
#17 Sicilian Arancini
A Sicilian classic! Arancini, the iconic Italian rice balls recipe, are a staple of Sicilian cuisine, beloved for their crispy exterior and rich, flavorful fillings.
#18 Italian Rosemary Chicken
Rosemary Chicken with Roasted Potatoes is a classic in many regions of Italy during special occasions, especially Umbria. This recipe from Italian Grandma Margherita is the best we’ve ever tasted—easy, succulent and soooo flavorful!
Italian Christmas 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:
#19 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.
#20 Four Cheese Pasta
Rich and decadent! Four cheese pasta sauce can be made with a variety of cheeses, but this combination is particularly satisfying: creamy gorgonzola ‘dolce’ (sweet gorgonzola), taleggio cheese, pecorino cheese and gruyere cheese. In rigatoni or penne are popular pasta choices for this cheesy sauce because it allows the sauce to cling to the pasta both inside and out.
#21 Four Cheese Gnocchi
Cheesy, decadent and delicious! This four cheese gnocchi recipe includes sweet italian gorgonzola, taleggio cheese, fontina cheese and gruyére cheese. Pop it in the oven to transform it into another dish al forno!
#22 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!
Italian Christmas Recipes: Desserts
#23 Pampepato (Panpepato)
Nonna Margherita’s timeless Panpepato recipe—an Italian holiday dessert with chocolate, nuts, spices and dried fruit (if you dare!)
#24 Tiramisù
After a delicious Italian main course, you’ll want a ‘pick me up’ (the Italian translation of ‘Tiramisù)! No raw eggs, no worries.
#25 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.
#26 Chocolate Lava Cake
Chocolate Lava Cake—so easy and you’ll definitely want to reach for the Italian chocolate brands we recommend.
#27 Sicilian Cannoli
Finish your holiday dinner with the flavors of Sicily!
#28 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.
#29 Italian Almond Cake
This Italian Almond Cake is a Tuscan classic. Simple, butter, delicious!
#30 Panforte Margherita
This Italian fruitcake recipe is faithful to its Tuscan roots! Panforte Margherita is a Tuscan Christmas dessert that dates back to the late middle ages and is popular during the holiday season in Italy.
Christmas Gift Ideas for Italian Foodies!
Did you like these Italian Christmas recipes? 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!
Pasta Affair: 50 Authentic Italian Recipes
Seductive strands of pasta and sumptuous sauces… Are you ready to indulge in an unforgettable Pasta Affair? It’s the best pasta cookbook for beginners and a must-have for any serious lover of Italian food, featuring over 50 classic pasta recipes you can make at home!
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:
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