In Italian families, Christmas is more than just a holiday—it's a culinary celebration that brings generations together around the table. Whether you're honoring the traditional La Vigilia (Christmas Eve) with a seafood feast or preparing a grand Christmas Day dinner, Italian cuisine offers some of the most memorable holiday dishes in the world.
At Sal De Forte's, we've been helping families celebrate Italian Christmas traditions since 1985. In this guide, we'll share the dishes that make an authentic Italian Christmas dinner truly special.
The Feast of Seven Fishes (La Vigilia)
The Feast of Seven Fishes is an Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition with roots in Southern Italy. The custom of abstaining from meat on Christmas Eve led to elaborate seafood feasts featuring—you guessed it—seven different fish dishes.
Traditional Seven Fishes Menu
- 1. Baccalà (Salt Cod) – Often fried or in a tomato sauce
- 2. Fried Calamari – Crispy squid rings with marinara
- 3. Shrimp Scampi – Garlic butter shrimp over linguine
- 4. Clams (Vongole) – Steamed or in white wine sauce over pasta
- 5. Mussels – In marinara or white wine broth
- 6. Lobster – Fra Diavolo or simply steamed
- 7. Eel (Capitone) – Traditional in Southern Italy
Note: Many families substitute eel with salmon, snapper, or their favorite fish.
Our Frutti Di Mare captures the spirit of the Feast of Seven Fishes in one spectacular dish—fresh clams, mussels, shrimp, and calamari over linguine.
Christmas Day Dinner Menu
While Christmas Eve focuses on seafood, Christmas Day is the time for rich meat dishes, handmade pasta, and indulgent desserts. Here's a traditional Italian Christmas Day menu:
Antipasti (Starters)
- • Antipasto Platter – Cured meats, cheeses, olives, roasted peppers
- • Bruschetta – Toasted bread with tomatoes, garlic, and basil
- • Stuffed Mushrooms – With breadcrumbs, herbs, and Parmesan
- • Italian Wedding Soup – A warming start to the meal
Primi (First Course - Pasta)
- • Lasagna Bolognese – The ultimate comfort food centerpiece
- • Tortellini in Brodo – Traditional Christmas pasta from Bologna
- • Manicotti – Stuffed pasta tubes with ricotta and marinara
- • Baked Ziti – Crowd-pleasing and make-ahead friendly
Secondi (Main Course)
- • Braised Beef Brasato – Slow-cooked in red wine
- • Osso Buco – Braised veal shanks with gremolata
- • Roast Lamb – With rosemary and garlic
- • Porchetta – Italian roast pork with herbs
- • Chicken Parmigiana – A family favorite
Contorni (Sides)
- • Roasted Vegetables – Potatoes, fennel, carrots
- • Sautéed Broccoli Rabe – With garlic and olive oil
- • Caesar Salad – A refreshing contrast
- • Italian Bread – Fresh and crusty
Italian Christmas Desserts
No Italian Christmas is complete without a table full of traditional desserts. These sweet treats are often prepared days in advance and shared among family and friends.
Panettone
Sweet bread from Milan with dried fruits and citrus
Pandoro
Star-shaped golden bread from Verona, dusted with powdered sugar
Struffoli
Neapolitan honey balls, a Christmas Eve tradition
Cannoli
Crispy shells filled with sweet ricotta cream
Tiramisu
Coffee-soaked ladyfingers with mascarpone
Italian Cookies
Biscotti, pizzelle, and rainbow cookies
Tips for Your Italian Christmas Dinner
Plan ahead
Many Italian dishes like braised meats and lasagna taste better when made a day ahead.
Pace the meal
Italian dinners are meant to be savored. Allow time between courses for conversation and digestion.
Don't skip the antipasti
It sets the tone for the meal and gives guests something to enjoy while the main courses finish.
Embrace tradition
Even if you modify recipes, keep some traditional elements to honor the Italian heritage.
End with espresso
A proper Italian meal concludes with espresso, perhaps with a splash of sambuca.
Celebrate Christmas at Sal De Forte's
Don't want to cook this Christmas? Let our family cook for yours! Join us for our special Christmas dinner menu featuring many of these traditional Italian dishes.