Whether you’re a true Italian or just love the food and the culture, hosting an Italian Christmas at home is a sure way to bring the spirit of the season to the table, along with delicious traditional dishes that will give your guests something to talk about. We caught up with Francesca Montillo, an Italian chef, cookbook author, and founder of The Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures. She shared an incredible collection of Italian dishes so you can put on your own Italian spread this season. From a mouthwatering ricotta and honey crostini appetizer to two options for dessert, this exciting menu is an all-out feast!
For more Italian mains, sides, appetizers, sweets, and treats from Francesca Montillo, check out her cookbooks: The Five-Ingredient Italian Cookbook, Pasta in a Pinch, and 30-Minute Italian Cookbook. Any of these books – or all three – make a great Christmas gift for the foodie in your life!
Ricotta and Honey Crostini
The sweet and savory combination in this mouthwatering appetizer is the perfect way to start off an Italian Christmas feast! The textures are all there – creamy, smooth, crispy too. You’re gonna love this one!
Tuscan Bean Soup
This is a refreshing, traditional Italian soup that works for formal meals, Christmas feasts, and it’s pretty darn perfect for weeknight comfort food too!
Chicken Saltimbocca
If you want to wow your guests – be they family or friends – this is the dish to do it. This classic Italian main course will steal the show at your Christmas soiree.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
You had me at “prosciutto-wrapped!” Crunchy asparagus wrapped in salty, prosciutto is about as good as it gets in my book. This is an excellent side dish to go with any Italian Christmas dinner – but it can also be served as a salad course.
Winter Orange and Fennel Salad
This bright, refreshing salad is a great way to finish an Italian meal (or start one). In Italy, serving salad at the end of a meal is an older tradition that is still commonly observed for formal meals and holiday meals. Eating the salad at the end of the meal is believed to help with digestion.
Classic Tiramisu
If you’re hosting an Italian Christmas dinner – or any Italian dinner – you best serve up tiramisu as dessert! Your guests will be falling over themselves after just one bite of this rich taste of Italy!
Limoncello Tiramisu
This boozy twist on classic tiramisu is a heavenly delight, kicked up a notch with zesty limoncello, a staple liqueur on Italian tables everywhere. Keep this dessert reserved for adults as the limoncello is not cooked off in the process of making this dessert.
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