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November 21, 2025
Celebrate Christmas Eve the Italian American way—with seafood, tradition, and unforgettable pasta.
Every December, Italian American households across the country gather for one of the most iconic holiday meals: The Feast of Seven Fishes. Its origins trace back to Italian immigrants of the early 1900s who longed for the flavors of home. In Italy, Catholics traditionally abstained from eating meat on Christmas Eve, turning instead to the bounty of the sea. When those families arrived in America, they faithfully carried the custom with them—expanding and adapting it into the lavish seafood celebration we know today.
Some families serve seven distinct seafood dishes, each meant to honor the number’s religious symbolism. Others take a more modern route: preparing one or two types of fish in seven different ways. Either way, the table brims with abundance—clams, shrimp, scallops, lobster, and white fish—often served in generous bowls of frutti di mare tossed with pasta like bigoli, bucatini, or one of Sfoglini’s signature short shapes.
It’s a feast rooted in devotion, nostalgia, and culinary craftsmanship. And whether your tradition is centuries old or brand-new, pairing premium bronze-cut pasta with stunning seafood dishes is a beautiful way to honor it.
Below, discover four standout recipes that bring the Feast of Seven Fishes to life—each one elegant, approachable, and full of holiday magic.
A celebration of color and aroma, this recipe transforms Sfoglini’s Saffron Vesuvio into a golden, aromatic centerpiece. Delicate crab mingles with fresh herbs and the warm notes of saffron, creating a dish that feels both festive and luxurious. Perfect as a first course—or as a show-stopping star on your seafood spread
Get the Recipe> Saffron Vesuvio with Crab and Herbs
For those who want fiery flavor and bold holiday energy, this dish delivers. Sweet crab meets a tomato-rich Fra Diavolo sauce, clinging beautifully to Sfoglini Calabrian Chili Lumache or Calabrian Chili Cascatelli. It’s festive, vibrant, and exactly the kind of pasta that wakes up the table.
Get the Recipe> Crab Fra Diavolo with Calabrian Chili Pasta
Light, bright, and irresistibly garlicky, this Shrimp Scampi is a gorgeous option for balancing out a seafood-heavy feast. Whole Grain Reginetti brings a nutty depth and hearty bite, while lemon, butter, and white wine create a sauce that sings. A perfect addition to any seven-fish menu.
Get the Recipe> Shrimp Scampi with Whole Grain Reginetti
For those who want a dish that leans into richness, heat, and pure holiday indulgence, this Spicy Lobster Sauce is the one. Velvety tomato, sweet lobster meat, and a gentle kick of chile coat every regal ribbons of bronze-cut Reginetti. It’s the kind of pasta that turns Christmas Eve into an event.
Get the Recipe> Reginetti with Spicy Lobster Sauce
Whether you're hosting a bustling, multi-course gathering or keeping things intimate this year, the Feast of Seven Fishes is beautifully flexible. At its heart, it’s about honoring tradition, savoring seafood, and creating a sense of abundance—no matter how many dishes are on the table.
Below are two inspired ways to structure your Christmas Eve meal: a classic, coursed-out feast and a pared-down version that captures the essence with just one pasta and a small bite.
For those who want to embrace the full ritual, a well-paced menu helps the meal unfold like a story—from light and briny to rich and celebratory.
1. Antipasto / Light Bite
Start with something chilled or simply prepared to open the palate.
• Marinated anchovies
• Smoked salmon crostini
• Lemon–garlic shrimp
2. Seafood Salad
A refreshing interlude featuring the clean flavors of the sea.
• Insalata di mare with octopus and squid
• Citrus-poached scallops with fennel
3. Brothy Course
Warm, aromatic, and perfect for winter.
• Clam or mussel brodetto
• Saffron seafood zuppa - add Saffron Malloreddus for an extra depth of flavor
4. Fried Course
Crispy, festive, crowd-pleasing.
• Fritto misto
• Baccalà fritters
5. Pasta Course #1
A delicate transition into richer flavors.
• Saffron Vesuvio with Crab and Herbs
6. Pasta Course #2
Bolder, saucier, and truly celebratory.
• Reginetti with Spicy Lobster Sauce
• Or Crab Fra Diavolo with Calabrian Chili Pasta
7. Main Seafood Dish
The finale that anchors the meal.
• Whole roasted branzino
• Salt-baked white fish
Finish with panettone, espresso, or a splash of limoncello to complete the tradition.
If a full seven-course procession feels like too much this year, you can still enjoy the spirit of the tradition with a simpler format. A single standout pasta paired with a small seafood appetizer delivers all the flavor and symbolism—without the hours of prep.
Option 1: Bright + Elegant
• Appetizer: Lemon–garlic sautéed shrimp
• Main: Saffron Vesuvio with Crab and Herbs
Option 2: Spicy + Festive
• Appetizer: Shrimp cocktail with Calabrian chili sauce
• Main: Reginetti with Spicy Lobster Sauce
• Or: Crab Fra Diavolo with Calabrian Chili Pasta
Option 3: Light + Comforting
• Appetizer: Crispy calamari or burrata with citrus
• Main: Shrimp Scampi with Whole Grain Reginetti
A pared-down feast is perfect for yourself, small group, busy families, or anyone who wants the warmth of the tradition without the marathon of cooking. With one thoughtfully chosen pasta and a simple seaside starter, your table still sings with the spirit of Christmas Eve.
Whether you prepare all seven dishes or choose just one unforgettable showpiece, the Feast of Seven Fishes is ultimately about togetherness—gathering around the table, sharing stories, and savoring the flavors that connect generations.
With exceptional pasta, thoughtfully sourced seafood, and a touch of holiday spirit, your Christmas Eve celebration becomes more than a meal—it becomes a memory.
Buon Natale, and happy feasting. 🍝🐟✨
