Entertain the Italian Way This Holiday Season

Delicious food, lively conversation, and plenty of laughter — that’s the Italian way to celebrate the holidays. This year, embrace a relaxed, joy-filled approach to entertaining with recipes and tips that bring warmth and togetherness to your table.

Set the Scene for Togetherness

Create a cozy, welcoming ambiance. Mix and match your favorite tableware, light a few candles, and serve dinner family-style so guests can laugh, share stories, and enjoy second helpings.

Pour a festive cocktail or mulled wine as everyone gathers — a simple way to set a cheerful, celebratory mood while keeping the atmosphere relaxed.

Keep the Menu Simple — and Special

Italian hosts rely on trusted recipes made with high-quality ingredients and traditional techniques to guarantee deliciousness without stress.

The Perfect Antipasto Platter

Antipasto platters are reliable crowd-pleasers, and the most satisfying ones combine several snackable ingredients. Make high-quality cheeses and cured meats the star. Then add bread, olives, bowls of olive oil and pesto, cured artichokes, roasted peppers, whatever nuts you have on hand, random crackers, and even chips to the spread. Have fun!

Try our Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto — tangy tomatoes and almonds make a vibrant spread that works for pasta, bruschetta, or as a dip for vegetables. Let guests help themselves while you finish the main dishes. Or create festive skewers with a hearty pasta (such as Quattrotini) cooked and seasoned with bright olive oil, then stacked with meat, cheese, and olives.

Focus on Family-Style Dishes

Family-style dining is the heart of Italian hospitality. Choose dishes that are easy to pass, encourage conversation, and keep the energy lively. Pasta is perfect for this — it’s hearty, comforting, and can be prepared ahead of time.

Here are a few that work particularly well for family-style gatherings:

• Whole Grain Reginetti with Italian Sausage and Peppers — a rustic crowd-pleaser that’s hearty, colorful, and ready in under an hour Get the recipe >

• Cascatelli al Forno — bubbling, golden, and ideal for a warm, holiday table Get the recipe >

• Zucca Bolognese — richly layered with meat, wine, and tomatoes; a show-stopping dish that fills the kitchen with irresistible aromas Get the recipe >

• Saffron Malloreddus alla Campidanese — saffron-infused pasta meets slow-simmered pork ragu for a comforting, festive bite Get the recipe >

• Reginetti Lasagna — layers of rich béchamel, fragrant tomato sauce, two cheeses, and pasta ribbons baked to bubbly perfection Get the recipe >

Finish with Festive Sweets

Part of the family-style fun is digging into desserts like tiramisu, a sweet kugel dusted with cinnamon, fruit tarts, or cookie trays rather than fancily plated ones. Offer guests a little pungent limoncello or bitter amaro to drink alongside or in their coffee — the perfect toast to friendship and the season.

Attending Instead of Hosting? Don’t Forget the Hostess Gift

Bring a little Sfoglini to every celebration. A few of our bronze-cut pastas paired with a jar of sauce or a bottle of olive oil makes a thoughtful gift that feels personal and purposeful. Or go all out with a Sfoglini Pasta Club Subscription — a quarterly delivery of artisanal pastas and curated recipes. It’s a gift that celebrates hospitality all year long.

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