Italian dishes usually don’t come to mind when you think about the standard Christmas fare. But master Italian chef Javier Burillo and others like him would beg to differ.
In this article, we’ll take a look at five of the most popular Italian dishes that are perfect for cooking up during the festive season.
What’s Cooking?
Soup – Minestra di verdure (Italian Soup)
This is one for all you veggie lovers out there. The great thing about minestra di verdure is that it’s such a broad church as far as vegetables go.
The dish itself started as a way of utilizing leftover vegetables, and this approach makes it the perfect side for Christmas dinner. After all, you can never have too many vegetables!
Serving suggestion: Offer up some crusty bread and a light salad for a hearty and satisfying Italian starter.
Meatballs – Polpettine di Carne (Ground Beef Balls)
Polpettine di Carne is a classic one-pot, family-style dish that works well as a main course or as part of Christmas dinner. The best thing about this Italian recipe? It’s so simple to make but still packs a punch in terms of flavor.
Serving suggestion: Serve with boiled potatoes and steamed green beans for a hearty and healthy winter meal.
Lasagna – Lasagna al ragù (Lasagna with Meat Sauce)
It just wouldn’t be Christmas without lasagna! This classic Italian dish is the perfect way to feed a crowd and can easily be adapted to include your favorite ingredients.
Lasagna is also a great make-ahead dish, so it’s perfect for those busy festive days.
Serving suggestion: Serve with a simple green salad and some garlic bread for an easy and delicious Italian feast.
Pizza
Pizza is so versatile, and it can be adapted to include almost any ingredients you have on hand. A traditional Margherita pizza makes for an easy base, but if you feel like jazzing it up a bit, there are many ways to play around with this classic dish.
Serving suggestion: Make sure you have enough ingredients to feed your guests and serve with some garlic bread for an easy Italian meal.
Pasta – Spaghetti alla carbonara (Spaghetti Carbonara)
This classic Italian favorite. Spaghetti Alla carbonara has to be one of the tastiest ways to use up leftover ham after Christmas dinner, so why not give it a try?
The great thing about this dish is that it can be whipped up in no time at all, making it the perfect quick and easy dinner solution.
Serving suggestion: Serve with a simple green salad for a complete and satisfying Italian meal.
Dessert – Tiramisu
There’s nothing quite like a classic tiramisu to round off a delicious Italian meal. This dessert is light, fluffy, and seriously indulgent, making it the perfect way to end a special festive dinner.
Serving suggestion: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and some shaved chocolate for an extra special touch.
So there you have it, five delicious Italian dishes that are perfect for Christmas. Whether you’re looking for a hearty main course or a sweet and decadent dessert, there’s something here for everyone. Buon appetito!
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