50+ Italian Christmas Day Dinner Recipes You'll Love - Simple Italian Cooking (2024)

1

Garlic Roasted Pecans

Enjoy these garlic roasted pecans that are bursting with flavor! Perfect appetizers for your Christmas party. Serve with small spoons since they can be buttery.

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2

Antipasto Salad Recipe

This Italian antipasto salad is so convenient and full of flexibility. It requires very little preparation and can be made a day in advance. Antipasto is the first course before the main meal. Instead of using a platter, a salad served in small bowls work great!

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3

Italian Marinated Mushrooms

These Italian marinated mushrooms can be served warm or at room temperature. You can use them on antipasto platters or individually. If you want to use them as a side dish, you can do that too for a festive holiday dish.

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4

Bruschetta Pomodoro

Although this recipe is unfortunately associated with summer days, I don't see why we can't use it as part of our Christmas recipes. It's red, festive and the fresh green basil portray Italian colors and the Christmas spirit!

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5

Homemade Italian Bread Loaf Recipe

This is my favorite recipe for a delicious homemade Italian bread recipe. I recommend making these a few days in advance and storing them in the fridge or freezer. The recipe is easy but the rising takes time. I like to make these in bulk and then use as part of the Christmas celebration!

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6

Garlic Bread Recipe

If you don't feel like making your Italian bread from scratch, then use this recipe here. Every Christmas meal needs fresh garlic bread, and I've prepared it this way on multiple occasions. Simply use a store bought baguette and then follow my instructions for how to season and bake it for your Christmas dinner.

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7

Crunchy Breadsticks (Grissini)

Grissini! These are those skinny and crunchy breadsticks you see at fancy restaurants or on the shelves at grocery stores in the specialty section. They are super easy to make and are perfect for a traditional Christmas snack.

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8

Healthy Caprese Salad

When you want to show off Italian colors in your Christmas dinner, you've got to create a caprese salad. These have all the colors of the Italian flag and everyone will appreciate it!

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9

Minestrone Soup Recipe

This delicious winter minestrone soup is perfect as a first course to your Christmas meal. This is a meat-free recipe but you can use chicken stock if you'd like for more robust flavors.

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10

Cannellini Bean Soup

Cannellini bean soup is a traditional Italian soup perfect for holidays. It's simple and easy to make, plus can be made in advance.

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11

Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

Italian wedding soup is a classic Italian recipe that goes well with chicken or beef dishes. The soup uses chicken broth with beef meatballs giving it a perfect balance. This will be a winner on your Christmas dinner menu!

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12

How to Make Easy Chicken Soup

Here's a simple recipe for chicken soup. For guests that aren't familiar with Italian-American traditions this recipe will please anyone.

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13

Pasta fa*gioli Soup Recipe

You'll love this Italian pasta fa*gioli soup. It's a hearty bean soup, without meat that is perfect during the cold Christmas season.

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14

Vegan Cabbage and Potato Soup

If you have any vegan guests or family members joining you for dinner celebrations, this cabbage and potato soup is perfect!

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15

Italian Baked Zucchini Slices with Rosemary

Italian baked zucchini with chopped onions, breadcrumbs and rosemary is a delicious Christmas dinner side dish. This recipe is best prepared the day of.

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16

Fried Zucchini

Fried zucchini isn't just for hot summer months. These zucchini are pan-fried in a batter of egg, breadcrumbs and Italian seasonings. This is best served as a warm side dish.

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17

Zucchini with Butter and Garlic

Here's another zucchini side dish that will go well on your Christmas menu. It's more of a Northern Italy dish since the zucchini is sauted with butter instead of olive oil. However, you can substitute the butter for olive oil if you want.

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18

Italian Green Beans Recipe

A special treat is to serve real Italian cut green beans. It's different than regular green beans and will be a nice addition to your traditional Italian Christmas food pairings.

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19

Asparagus Bundles Wrapped in Prosciutto

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20

Italian Garlic Mashed Potatoes

These garlic mashed potatoes taste so much better than at the restaurant. They are easy to make and will be a nice side dish for any chicken or meat main courses you might be serving.

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21

Baked Zucchini Slices with Tomato

This is a simple side dish that goes great with pasta or meats. All you need are zucchini, tomatoes, breadcrumbs, garlic, olive oil and Romano or Parmesan cheese. These baked zucchini slices should be served warm.

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22

Italian Broccolini Recipe

Adding broccolini to your Christmas menu is a great choice. Not all stores carry broccolini but they taste great and aren't as pungent as regular broccoli.

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23

Asparagus with Balsamic Vinegar and Cheese

Roasting your asparagus with drizzled olive oil and balsamic vinegar is absolutely mouth watering delicious! This will turn any asparagus nay-sayer into a raving fan. Top the asparagus with Romano cheese at the end and it tastes amazing! I'll step you through the process here.

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24

Italian Stuffed Mushrooms

One of my standard go-to family recipes is this Italian stuffed mushroom side dish. My recipe uses simple ingredients and is very easy. The great thing about making these for Christmas is that they can be made in advance and then cooked in the oven. They can also be reheated if they cool down too much before serving. Just place in the oven for 10 to 13 minutes at 350F to reheat. Cover with foil if they might dry out.

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25

Italian Roasted Cauliflower

Not a fan of cauliflower? Try Italian roasted cauliflower in the oven with olive oil and Romano cheese. It's a true delight! This is a great recipe for an Italian Christmas menu, especially those who love their veggies.

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26

Manicotti Crepes (Homemade)

Enjoy these authentic manicotti crepes filled with Italian cheese and flavors for a traditional Italian Christmas food everyone will enjoy! This recipe is a family recipe and it's not only easy to make, but impressive too. These are perfect for special dinners such as Christmas and other holidays.

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27

Spinach Manicotti

Delicious Italian spinach manicotti recipe that uses premade manicotti shells. You can buy them at most grocery stores. This easy recipe is full of flavor and easy to make. Perfect for making in advance!

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28

Moist All Beef Meatballs

In some Italian traditions, meatballs are not served with the pasta but as a side dish or part of a main course. My recipe for all beef meatballs are super moist. If you're serving pasta as part of your Christmas menu, make sure to serve these delicious meatballs too!

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29

Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

I love these stuffed pasta shells filled with spinach and ricotta filling. Everyone will think you spent all day making these but in reality they are very easy! This recipe is used by many Italian American families for holidays and special occasions.

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30

Easy Italian Pasta Bake

This easy Italian pasta bake recipe is well… easy! It's perfect for the holiday season and can be used as a second course or main dish. It's easy and can be made ahead of time.

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31

Easy Italian Chicken Cutlets Recipe

Italian chicken cutlets are fun and easy to make. They are best served immediately, but if not, just crisp them up again in the oven at 350F for 10 to 13 minutes. This dish goes great with any pasta recipe.

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32

Easy and Healthy Chicken Marsala

Chicken marsala is an impressive dish usually made with lots of butter and fats. I adjusted our standard marsala to make it a little healthier but tasting just as delicious! This goes great with plain pasta as a side dish, or mashed potatoes.

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33

Best Pot Roast Recipe

I made this recipe for a large Christmas party we hosted a few years ago and it was a huge hit. It isn't a quick recipe but it's worth the wait. The beef is tender and loaded with flavor!

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34

Italian Sausage, Peppers and Onions Recipe

Here's one of our Italian family recipes for sausage, peppers and onions. I grew up with my mom making this recipe for every holiday, especially Christmas. It can be used as a side dish or as part of the main course menu.

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35

Lasagna Meatless Recipe

If you want a simple lasagna recipe, try this one! Lasagna is another American tradition for a Christmas meal. You can make this recipe in advance and reheat in the oven. Serve extra sauce on the side in a gravy boat.

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36

Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant parmesan is delicious and my mother made this for Christmas every year for my father who is full-blooded Italian. If you want to make this recipe, serve it with pasta or lasagna. It's not meant to be a main dish in and of itself when used as part of an Italian Christmas dinner menu.

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37

Easy Italian Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

Italian chicken cacciatore is more of a rustic dish, but it is delicious! I love serving it over a bed of pasta, but you can serve it a variety of other ways too.

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38

Traditional Almond Biscotti Recipe

These traditional almond biscotti are perfect for Christmas desserts when enjoying a wonderful cup of java. For extra visual appeal, try dipping the biscotti in chocolate!

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39

Easy Chocolate Espresso Pudding Recipe

If you like chocolate and espresso, this chocolate espresso pudding is a must have for Christmas desserts. Pour pudding into small single-serving size bowls and chill. Then remove from fridge and serve when ready.

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40

Pizzelle Cannoli Recipe

Here's a delicious pizzelle cannoli recipe for Christmas that uses pizzelles as the shell. It's a great recipe and everyone will be delighted! It's a great way to bring an Italian dessert that's popular in the southern part of Italy right into your own home!

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41

Chocolate Pizzelle Recipe

Add these Italian chocolate pizzelles to your dessert menu. You can make them ahead of time and freeze until ready to use. Store in air-tight containers.

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42

Lemon Pizzelle Recipe

Crispy and delicious Italian lemon pizzelles. These are a lighter flavored pizzelle that is lightly dusted with confectioners sugar. You can serve these for Christmas or other holidays.

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43

Anise Pizzelle Recipe

Every year as part of our Italian Christmas celebration, my mom would make these traditional anise pizzelles. They are wonderful and are the classic Italian recipe from Italy.

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44

Butterball Cookies

Butterball cookies are also called pecan butterball cookies. They are a traditional Italian dessert cookie served during the Christmas season. Nothing tastes better after a meal, than a hot cup of coffee or espresso, along with some of these served on a plate!

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45

ToTo Cookies

Italian toto cookies are perfect for an Italian Christmas dinner menu. These are served as dessert cookies and are filled with chocolate and chopped walnuts. They are dipped in a whiskey icing that hardens within 24 hours. They are my favorite Christmas cookie!

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46

Anginetti Italian Lemon Cookies

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47

Italian Lemon Cake

If you prefer not to only use dessert cookies, why not a dessert cake. Try this Italian lemon cake which is light, and yet slightly dense with a hint of lemon. It's a wonderful cake that goes great with a cup of coffee.

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48

Italian Lemon Ricotta Pie Recipe

This Italian lemon ricotta pie is similar to a cheese cake, but not exactly. This light Italian dessert is perfect for Christmas, or any other holiday menu.

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49

Ricotta with Apricot Jam

I'm including this quick dessert because it's the easiest of all of them. Two ingredients are all you need – whole milk ricotta and apricot jam. You'll be amazed at how amazing it tastes. It's perfect for refreshing your palette after a big Christmas dinner meal.

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50

Pecan Coffee Cake

When it comes to an Italian coffee cake, this pecan coffee cake recipe is tops. It can be used for breakfast, but it can also be served as an Italian dessert cake. It's delicious and is perfect for Christmas night with a cup of espresso, cappuccino or other Italian drink.

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