Imagine the warmth of an Italian Christmas filling your home this holiday season. Ready to bring a taste of Italy to your table?
In this article, I’ve curated a collection of the most beloved traditional Italian Christmas dinner ideas. From appetizing antipasti for Christmas Eve gatherings to hearty courses for Christmas Day feasts, you’ll find plenty of options to choose from.
I’ve organized these delicacies into four course categories: starters, pasta dishes, main courses, and desserts. For each dish, I’ll provide a description and its significance in Italian holiday traditions.
As a bonus, at the end of the article, you’ll find menu suggestions for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations.
So, if you’re ready to infuse your holiday table with the flavors of Italy, let’s dive in. Buon Natale!
Table of Contents
Italian Starter Ideas For Christmas
The starters that follow are more geared toward your Christmas Eve Picky Dinner.
Let me explain.
Unless dining out in a restaurant, Italians don’t usually like to go heavy on starters on Christmas lunch because they know they have a lot of rich food to get through.
When they do, a light antipasti platter with marinated olives, cured meats, and bread is the most common. Others who like to prepare a fancy Christmas lunch might opt for soups or pasta starters.
1. Salted Cod Breaded Balls (Baccalà Fritto)
These are small, crispy balls made from salted cod (baccalà); the latter is soaked, mixed with herbs and potatoes, breaded, and deep-fried.
Tradition: Baccalà is a staple in Italian Christmas Eve dinners, especially in southern Italy, due to the Catholic tradition of abstaining from meat on this day.
2. Chicken Liver Pate Crostini inspired by Florence (Crostini di Fegatini)
This Tuscan appetizer consists of small toasts topped with a spread made from chicken livers, capers, and sometimes anchovy.
Tradition: While not exclusively a Christmas dish, it’s popular in Tuscany.
3. Antipasti Platters
An assortment of cured meats, cheeses, marinated vegetables, and olives served with breads and various types of crackers.
Tradition: Antipasti platters are versatile and common in Italian dining year-round, including during holidays. They’re perfect for casual Christmas Eve gatherings and a great start to Christmas day luncheons.
4. Sun-dried Tomatoes and Pesto Savory Cornetti
Cornetti (Italian horn-shaped pastries) filled with sun-dried tomatoes and pesto offer a savory twist on a classic Italian breakfast item.
Tradition: While cornetti are typically sweet and eaten for breakfast in Italy, this savory version represents a creative holiday adaptation of a beloved Italian staple.
The use of traditional Italian ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes and pesto makes it a fitting addition to a Christmas spread, especially for more modern or fusion-inspired holiday meals.
5. Arancini Balls
Deep-fried rice balls usually filled with ragù, mozzarella, and peas.
Tradition: Originally from Sicily, arancini are popular street food and party snacks. They’re often served during the Christmas season, especially on St. Lucia Day (December 13).
6. Mini Calzone Pizzas
Small, folded pizzas filled with various ingredients like cheese, ham, and vegetables.
Tradition: While not a traditional Christmas food, these are great for casual gatherings and parties during the holiday season.
7. Mixed Breaded Fish and Seafood (Fritto Misto di Pesce)
A variety of lightly battered and fried seafood, which may include calamari, shrimp, and small fish.
Tradition: This dish is common in Italian coastal regions and is often part of the Christmas Eve dinner, adhering to the tradition of eating fish on this day.
8. Italian Cold Rice Salad (Insalata di Riso)
A chilled salad made with rice, vegetables, cheese, boiled eggs, and sometimes cured meats.
Tradition: While more common in summer, a version of this might appear in holiday meals as a light option among heavier dishes. It’s also perfect for a finger food focused party.
Traditional Italian Christmas Pasta Dishes
While pasta dishes are often not part of big celebrations abroad, in Italy we can’t do without them. They are the heart of our cuisine.
The four pasta dishes I am sharing with you are traditionally eaten this time of the year, but are equally enjoyed all year round, especially for Sunday lunch or special occasions.
1. Tortellini in Brodo di Carne
Small, ring-shaped pasta filled with meat, served in a clear, flavorful meat broth.
Tradition: A classic Christmas dish, especially in Northern Italy. The warm broth is comforting during cold winter days, and the handmade tortellini represent the care and effort put into holiday meals.
2. Lasagna
Layers of pasta sheets alternating with ragù (meat sauce), béchamel, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Tradition: A staple of Italian Christmas lunch, particularly in central and northern regions. Its rich flavors and time-consuming preparation make it a special holiday dish.
3. Pasticcio Pasta Bake with Bolognese Sauce and Besciamella
A baked pasta dish similar to lasagna, but often made with tube-shaped pasta, meat sauce, and béchamel.
Tradition: While not as traditional as lasagna, it’s a popular alternative for Christmas, offering similar flavors with easier preparation.
4. Your Favorite Ricotta Ravioli (with meat, or fish, or vegetables)
Pasta pockets filled with ricotta and various ingredients, served with a creamy white sauce.
Of course, you can use other sauces, including tomato or cheesy ones.
Tradition: Ravioli are common in Italian cuisine year-round, but special fillings and sauces make them appropriate for Christmas meals, offering a lighter alternative to meat-heavy pasta dishes.
Traditional Christmas Main Courses From Italy
Main courses in Italian are called secondi. I have curated a list of 6, including different meats and even fish. Let’s see them.
1. Stinco di Maiale al Forno con Patate
Roasted pork shank served with potatoes.
Tradition: A hearty main course popular in Northern Italy for Christmas. The tender, slow-cooked meat symbolizes abundance and celebration.
2. Veal Roast with Potatoes
A tender veal roast typically seasoned with herbs and garlic, served alongside roasted potatoes.
Tradition: Veal is considered a premium meat in Italy, making it suitable for special occasions like Christmas. This dish is common in many regions, especially in the north.
3. Capone Ripieno
A whole capon (castrated rooster) stuffed with a mixture of ground meat, herbs, and sometimes chestnuts or truffles, then roasted.
Tradition: A centerpiece of Christmas dinner in central Italy, particularly in Tuscany and Umbria. The rich, flavorful bird symbolizes abundance and is often the highlight of the festive meal, representing these regions’ rustic yet refined cuisine.
4. Agnello Arrosto
Roasted lamb, typically seasoned with rosemary, garlic, and other herbs, often served with roasted potatoes.
Tradition: A classic Christmas dish in central and southern Italy, especially in regions like Abruzzo and Lazio.
Lamb holds significance in Christian symbolism, making it a meaningful choice for Christmas dinner. Its preparation varies by region, but it’s always a symbol of celebration and family gathering.
5. Sicilian Meatloaf
A large meatloaf (polpettone) with a flavorful stuffing – including eggs, ham, and parmesan, typical of Sicilian cuisine.
Tradition: This dish represents the Sicilian love for elaborate, festive dishes. It’s often prepared for special occasions, including Christmas, showcasing regional flavors and ingredients.
6. Cartoccio Sea Bream
Sea bream cooked in parchment paper or foil with vegetables, herbs, and sometimes white wine.
Tradition: Fish dishes are essential for Italian Christmas Eve dinners, following the Catholic tradition of abstaining from meat. This light, flavorful preparation is popular in coastal regions and offers a delicate alternative to heavier meat dishes.
While Italians might eat this on Christmas Eve, you can make it for your Christmas Day dinner, if you’re going for a fish menu.
5 Traditional Italian Side Dishes For The Holidays
I have selected the most popular and delicious side dishes, called contorni in Italian, from North to South. Which one are you going to pick?
1. Creamy Polenta
A smooth, creamy cornmeal porridge enriched with butter and grated cheese.
Tradition: A comforting side dish popular in Northern Italy, especially in colder regions. Its warm, rich texture makes it a perfect accompaniment to Christmas roasts.
2. Roasted Potatoes
Potatoes seasoned with herbs and extra virgin olive oil, then roasted until crispy on the outside and tender inside.
Tradition: A prevalent side dish across Italy during Christmas, often cooked alongside the main roast to absorb its flavors.
3. Roman-Style Artichokes
Artichokes marinated in olive oil, garlic, herbs, and sometimes vinegar.
Tradition: A popular antipasto in Rome and central Italy, often featured in Christmas meals as a light, flavorful side dish.
4. Neapolitan Rinforzo Salad
A salad of pickled vegetables, olives, and sometimes anchovies, traditionally prepared on Christmas Eve.
Tradition: This Neapolitan dish is typically served as part of the Christmas Eve feast, known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
5. Sicilian Stewed Broccoli
Broccoli slow-cooked with aromatic ingredients – including onions, olives, and anchovies, creating a flavorful vegetable side dish.
Tradition: Represents the Sicilian approach to vegetable dishes, often served during holiday meals to balance richer courses.
The Best Traditional Italian Desserts For Your Christmas Table
Of course, we can’t leave the best part of the meal out. The selection of Italian treats that follow is a mix of very Italian Christmas foods as well as iconic desserts that deserve a place on our table even at Christmas time.
1. Panettone & Pandoro
Sweet, leavened bread loaves: Panettone with dried fruits, Pandoro plain and star-shaped.
Tradition: These are the quintessential Italian Christmas desserts, originating from Milan and Verona respectively, but now enjoyed nationwide and even worldwide.
2. Italian Biscuits – From Mostaccioli to Ricciarelli
Mostaccioli are spiced chocolate cookies.
Cantucci are almond biscotti, which I am sure you know about.
Ricciarelli are soft almond cookies.
Tradition: Mostaccioli are traditional Christmas cookies in southern Italy, while Cantucci and Ricciarelli are Tuscan specialties. While mostaccioli are the more popular Christmas biscuits, especially in the South of Italy, the other ones might be more easily available where you live. In case you want to bake them, here’s my easy mostaccioli recipe.
3. Italian Nougat
A sweet confection made with honey, sugar, and nuts, often flavored with vanilla or citrus.
Tradition: Known as “torrone” in Italy, it’s a classic Christmas candy, with regional variations throughout the country.
Common around this time of the year are Torroncini, which are small chocolate coated morsels of nougat. They also come uncoated with lemon and orange flavors, especially popular in Sicily.
4. Italian Chocolates
Assorted high-quality chocolates and truffles, including more popular ones like Perugina or Artisan brands like La Perla.
Tradition: While not exclusively Christmas items, fine chocolates are popular gifts and after-dinner treats during the holiday season.
5. Tronchetto Yule-Log
A rolled cake, made with soft biscuit dough or sponge, sometimes flavored with cocoa, filled with cream, and decorated to resemble a log.
Tradition: Traditionally in Italy, on Christmas Eve, a log (ceppo) was gently placed in the fireplace and set alight with a bundle of blessed juniper. Today, to continue this good fortune tradition, Italians turn to the edible “Tronchetto di Natale”.
Adapted from the French bûche de Noël, who also shared this tradition and were the first to create this dessert, it has become a popular addition to Italian Christmas dessert tables.
6. Panforte
A chewy, dense Tuscan cake made with fruits, nuts, and spices.
Tradition: Originating from Siena, this medieval sweet is a staple of Tuscan Christmas celebrations.
7. Tiramisu Cups
Individual servings of the classic Italian dessert made with coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream.
Tradition: While not specifically a Christmas dessert, tiramisu is popular year-round and often featured in holiday meals for its crowd-pleasing nature.
8. Charlotte Cake from Milan
A dessert made with ladyfingers surrounding a filling of custard or fruit mousse.
Tradition: Though not exclusively a Christmas dessert, it’s sometimes prepared for special occasions including holiday meals, especially in northern Italy.
2 Traditional Italian Christmas Dinner Menus For Your Table
If you prefer picking up a menu that’s done for you, here are two – one for Christmas Eve and one for Christmas Day.
I have taken inspiration from what Italians eat on these days, but also considered international customs when it comes to celebrating the holidays.
That’s why I am suggesting a picky style menu on the 24th.
Traditionally, Italians have full meals for the Cenone di Natale, with many courses, many or all fish-based. However, more and more Italians are embracing the finger foods style Eve celebrations, and leaving the bigger meal for the 25th.
Italian-Style Christmas Eve Menu
Finger Foods
Salted cod breaded balls
Chicken liver pate crostini inspired by Florence
Smoked salmon pastry parcels
Sun dried tomatoes and pesto savory croissants
Arancini balls
Mini calzone pizzas
Antipasti platters
Italian cold rice salad
Desserts
Tiramisu
Panettone
Italian Torroncini
Limoncello
Amaro Averna
Italian – Style Christmas Day Dinner Menu
Starter: Italian Assorted Antipasti – olive oil and balsamic bread dip, Italian cured meats (salami, ham and mortadella), Italian cheeses, Taralli crackers and Grissini, Artichoke dip, olives, sun dried tomatoes, and jarred artichokes.
First Course: Tortellini in a beef broth
Second Course: Stinco di maiale al forno con patate
Side Dish: Roman-style Artichokes
Desserts: Cantucci & Ricciarelli Biscuits with Vinsanto liquor
Italian Chocolates
Charlotte Cake
Want More Italian Christmas Inspiration?
For more Italian Christmas Food Inspiration, I suggest you read these two other articles:
Italian Christmas Traditions From North To South
11 Christmas Food Staples Italians Can’t Do Without
And if you’d like to speak a little Italian this Christmas, check out these 2 Christmas Lessons:
- All The Ways To Say Merry Christmas In Italian
- Italian Christmas Words For Beginners
PS: If you love the Italian Christmas content, save this blog and come back, as I will be sharing my Italian Christmas adventures next.
