Italy Christmas Food and Drinks (70+ Recipes)

Are you looking for Italy Christmas food and drinks? We are sharing some of the BEST with you!

Christmastime is my favorite time of year. I love all of the traditions, decorations, music, and food. Especially the food.

A main part of the Christmas season is traditional Christmas food and the family gatherings that usually go along with them. This time of year is a great way to catch up with family you may not have seen in a while.

There are traditional recipes for every family, but some that just can't be beat are a part of a traditional Italian Christmas meal. While not traditional, this white chocolate Christmas crack or this Christmas charcuterie board are great for the holidays.

There are different regions of Italy and each area has its regional traditions, but a common denominator is always food. Usually there is some type of traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner or maybe a Christmas lunch.

Whatever it may be, Christmas meals are some of the best ways for Italian families to celebrate the holiday season together.

Southern Italy and Central Italy usually have baked pasta of some sort, whereas Northern Italy has filled kinds of pasta like ravioli. Meat is a must in all areas of Italy for Christmastime.

The main dish in a traditional Italian Christmas dinner could be anything between pasta dishes, fish dishes, roast lamb, and other favorite recipes.

You will also find that there is typically a first course, second course, and desserts. You will not go hungry on Christmas in an Italian household.

Because Christmas is a religious holiday, there are a lot of religious traditions, especially in the Catholic church. A Christmas Catholic tradition is attending midnight Mass.

Having Italian Christmas recipes before Mass is a typical tradition found in an Italian household.

Italian Christmas Drinks

When it comes to drinks, mulled wine is the most common. The warm drink has festive holiday flavors everyone knows and loves. It is also called Vin Brulé, depending on if the alcohol is completely boiled out or not.

Vin Brulé is non-alcoholic, whereas mulled wine contains alcohol. Prosecco is also a common holiday beverage. Sparkling wines are fairly common as well.

Feast of the Seven Fishes

This festive season is full of fun holiday traditions in Italy, but one, in particular, is the Feast of the Seven Fishes.

This traditional meal takes place on Christmas Eve and is a seven-course meal, which represents the days of creation, seven deadly sins, and many other references to the number seven in the Bible.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes started because of the Roman Catholic tradition of not eating meat the day before a feast, which would be Christmas in the situation, so they would eat many types of fish. The tradition still continues today.

Italian Desserts

You can't forget about desserts! In Italy, their Italian yule log cake is the most popular. It is made up of sweet bread, raisins, and candied citrus. This yummy treat is well known throughout the world now.

Italian wedding cookies are also popular. They are also known as snowball cookies because they are cute little round cookies covered with powdered sugar.

These little snowballs are crumbly and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Biscotti are Italian biscuits that are usually dipped in a beverage of some sort. They are cooked twice, so dunking them in a beverage softens them.

Here are some traditional Italian Christmas food recipes and Italian Christmas desserts you should definitely try. Italy Christmas food and drinks if you will...

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Puff Pastry Pesto Christmas Trees

Italian Rainbow Cookies (Tricolor Cookies with Video!)

Gluten-Free Almond Flour Biscotti

Beautiful Christmas Tree Pastry With Pesto – Delicious Christmas Appetizer
Festive Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
Struffoli
Italian Pistachio Cookies (Paste di Pistacchio)
Easy Bagna Cauda (Garlic and Anchovy Dip)
Pizzelle Recipe
Italian Ricotta Cheese Cookies Recipe
Italian Lemon Ricotta Amaretti Budino Cake
Easy Homemade Italian Struffoli Christmas Honey Balls

Classic Anise Pizzelle - The Best Pizzelles

Italian Butter Cookies

Vegetarian Pasta Fagioli

What are some Italian Christmas traditions?

Cooking and eating are a huge part of Christmas when it comes to Italy. They also start celebrating Christmas on December 8th, which they call the day of the Immaculate Conception.

Italians usually set up their Christmas tree and nativity scenes on this day. Nativity scenes are the most important decoration in Italy because they celebrate Christ's birth. The Christ statue isn't placed in the nativity until Christmas day.

Who is Befana?

Befana is an old lady who flies on a broom and fills stockings for the children with goodies for good kids and coal for the naughty children. She does this on January 6th.

We actually got a Befana doll and book from my friend Solae from Mamma Mangia and love it!

All of these recipes are so fun to make and enjoy. It is fun to experience new foods that are traditional to other countries and cultures, especially during the holiday season. Holiday treats are the best treats.

We hope you have an incredible holiday season and have lots of family time and yummy food.