Italian Seafood Recipes for the Feast of the Seven Fishes

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a cherished tradition synonymous with an authentic Italian American Christmas celebration.

While few Sicilians in Italy may recall this holiday tradition, it has been kept alive and passed down through generations of Italian-American families.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes tradition is to eat at least 7 fish dishes on the evening of December 24.

Collage of Italian seafood recipes for the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Includes grilled fish, pasta with seafood, seafood salad, and various shrimp and calamari dishes. Text reads

The Origins of the Seven Fishes ( festa dei sette pesci)

Some say the tradition stems from the roman catholic church tradition of eating meatless meals on vigils like Christmas Eve.

In southern Italy, fish was an obvious and abundant meat substitute. Others believe seven symbolize completion or perfection in the Bible.

And it’s no secret that fish also plays a big part in the Christmas story!

While its exact origins remain uncertain, it is believed to have originated in the early 1900s in the vibrant neighborhood of Little Italy in New York City.

With the influx of Italian immigrants during the peak of emigration, this tradition found fertile ground to flourish.

The Significance of the Number Seven

Why a seven-course meal?

The number seven represents various significant elements, including the seven sacraments, the seven days of creation, the seven virtues, the seven deadly sins, and the seven days it took Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus.

The tradition of consuming different seafood dishes on “la Vigilia” di Natale is interpreted in two ways: as a sacrificial act, representing the anticipation of Jesus’ birth, or as a gesture of welcome and respect towards the unborn child.

28 Recipes for the Feast of the Seven Fishes Dinner

A lavish seafood platter for Italian seafood recipes, featuring oysters, fried calamari, shrimp, and more, set on a festive table with red linens and Christmas decorations.

#1 Deep Fried, Battered Salt Cod (Baccalà)

Golden, deep-fried, battered salt cod (baccalà) on a white plate, garnished with parsley. A delicious example of Italian seafood recipes. Text: Deep Fried, Battered Salt Cod (Baccala). Christina's Cucina.

Christmas Eve Italian style is only complete with baccala, or salt cod, one of Italy’s most famous traditional dishes.

This is how all the Italian grandmothers used to make it, and it will please both the kids and adults!

#2 Baked Clams Oreganata

Baked clams casino, a classic Italian seafood recipe, served on a bed of spinach and arugula with lemon wedges. Perfect for the Feast of the Seven Fishes.

Delight in the flavors of baked clams seasoned with fragrant oregano.

It is a classic addition to any Feast of the Seven Fishes spread.

#3 BRODETTO DI PESCE

A vibrant pan of Italian seafood stew, brimming with shrimp, mussels, clams, and scallops in a rich tomato broth. Crusty bread sits nearby, ready for dipping. One of many delicious Italian seafood recipes!

Perfect for Feast of The Seven Fishes. Brodetto di Pesce (seafood in broth) is a popular Christmas seafood dish with mixed fish and seafood and could not be easier to make.

#4 Italian Seafood Salad Recipe

Italian seafood salad in a ceramic bowl, featuring shrimp, octopus, mussels, and olives. A wooden spoon rests inside, ready to serve this dish from Italian seafood recipes.

This chilled seafood salad is filled with seven different types of seafood and flavored—the best addition to your Italian Christmas Eve dinner and for the Feast of Seven Fishes.

#5 Scallops with ‘nduja garlic butter

Seared scallop served in a shell with a rich tomato sauce and parsley garnish, a delicious example of Italian seafood recipes.

Scallops in a delicious and spicy garlic Nduja butter.

This recipe is super easy to make yet has that wow factor that’s perfect for special occasions

#6 CRAB RAVIOLI

Close-up of square ravioli, glistening with butter sauce and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, served in a gray bowl. A sprig of parsley adds a fresh touch to this delicious Italian seafood recipe.

Crab ravioli may take a little more time than ready-made pasta, but the result is worth the effort.

The delicate crab filling is light and delicious.

#7 SICILIAN SWORDFISH WITH OLIVES AND CAPERS (PESCE SPADA ALLA GHIOTTA)

Two swordfish steaks served over a vibrant Italian seafood stew featuring tomatoes, green olives, and capers. A delicious representation of Italian seafood recipes.

This traditional swordfish dish is easy to prepare and packed with lovely flavors and colors—just the perfect main course for a festive dinner as a midweek meal.

#8 BAKED GARLIC SHRIMP OREGANATA

Baked shrimp with a golden breadcrumb topping and fresh herbs on a fork, part of Italian seafood recipes.

Garlic shrimp oreganata is a traditional Italian dish that is easy to make and great to enjoy with a glass of wine during the holiday feast.

#9 HAKE RECIPE

Flaky baked cod with cherry tomatoes and olives, an Italian seafood recipe. A fork pierces the white fish, revealing its moist texture. Part of Feast of the Seven Fishes.

Baked hake is an elegant, simple dish loaded with bright flavors!

This dish, prepared with juicy tomatoes, kalamata olives, and bright lemon juice, will be the star of any dinner.

#10 ITALIAN BACCALA RECIPE

Pan-seared cod with cherry tomatoes, capers, lemon wedges, and basil, a delicious Italian seafood recipe.

This Italian white fish recipe consists of pan-seared cod in white wine sauce, making a restaurant-quality meal with bright, citrusy, and herbaceous flavors. It is perfect for Christmas!

#11 Quick and Easy Spicy Sauteed Calamari

Close-up of calamari in a savory sauce, a delicious example of Italian seafood recipes. Tender squid rings and tentacles are garnished with olives, capers, peppers, and fresh herbs.

This heavenly combination of calamari is bursting with flavor from capers, olives, green onions, garlic, hot pepper, lemon juice, and a crispy breadcrumb topping.

#12 Cioppino Recipe

A steaming bowl of cioppino, an Italian seafood stew, featuring shrimp, mussels, clams, and toasted bread. This is a delicious example of Italian seafood recipes.

Cioppino is an Italian “zuppa di pesce” fish stew made with crab and shellfish in a savory tomato broth.

An easy yet elegant meal!

#13 CALAMARI FRITTI

Crispy fried calamari, a classic Italian seafood recipe, served with a lemon wedge on a white plate. Red napkin and wooden cutting board in the background.

This recipe for calamari fritti has the lightest, crispy coating, just like you’d get in Italy.

Quick and simple to make, this is a seafood dish everyone will love.

Tips: Add other kinds of fish such as shrimp, squid, and mixed minnows to make a fritto misto.

#14 Spaghetti With Clams

Spaghetti alle vongole, a classic Italian seafood recipe, served in a white bowl. The pasta is topped with fresh clams in their shells and sprinkled with chopped parsley.

Transport yourself in Italy with this classic pasta dish featuring tender clams and al dente spaghetti.

A touch of garlic, white wine, and parsley harmonize the flavors.

#15 CALAMARATA PASTA (CALAMARI AND TOMATO SAUCE)

Close-up of Italian seafood recipe: Paccheri pasta with baby octopus and cherry tomatoes, garnished with fresh parsley. A delicious part of a traditional Italian seafood feast.

Calamarata is a quintessential Neapolitan seafood pasta sauce featuring a brothy tomato sauce perfect for la scarpetta.

Make it in just 20 minutes for Christmas dinner!

#16 Insalata di Baccalà (Italian Salt Cod Salad)

Italian seafood recipe: Baccalà salad with fresh parsley being drizzled with olive oil. A traditional dish for the Feast of the Seven Fishes served on a white plate.

Flaked salt cod is tossed with olive oil, parsley, and garlic for a light seafood salad, perfect as an appetizer or part of an antipasto platter.

#17 BAKED FISH RAVIOLI FROM LIGURIA

Seafood ravioli, a featured Italian seafood recipe, with mussels, clams, and shrimp in a light sauce, served on a decorative plate.

This ravioli recipe calls for the fish to be baked first before being used in the filling.

The ravioli are then filled and served in a light seafood sauce, allowing the flavors of the fish to really shine through.

#18 Linguine Frutti Di Mare

Linguine alle vongole, a classic Italian seafood recipe, overflowing in a silver pan. Mussels, shrimp, and calamari are tossed with pasta in a rich tomato sauce, garnished with parsley. Crusty bread and a wooden spoon complete the scene.

This easy linguine frutti di mare recipe is the best seafood dish for Christmas.

Filled with five different kinds of seafood in a light tomato sauce, this flavorful dish comes together in less than 45 minutes.

#19 Italian Tuna White Bean Salad

Overhead shot of Italian tuna and white bean salad with red onion and basil in a white bowl. One of many fresh Italian seafood recipes.

A festive tuna fish salad packed with cannellini beans, onions, oregano, and red wine vinegar is the perfect balanced plate for Christmas Eve.

#20 Salmon Cacciatore

Four pan-seared salmon fillets simmer in a rich tomato sauce with olives, garnished with fresh herbs. A delicious example of Italian seafood recipes.

Salmon Cacciatore!

Crispy, pan-seared salmon in a rustic tomato sauce flavored with onions, garlic, and kalamata olives!

A classic Italian dish made with salmon.

#21 Spicy Garlic Shrimp

Garlic shrimp in a cast iron skillet, a delicious example of Italian seafood recipes. The dish is garnished with fresh herbs and served with a wooden spoon and colorful kitchen towel.

Succulent Spicy Garlic Shrimp is the perfect, simple appetizer or a second course for all seafood lovers!

It is abundant with flavor but not complexity, with only a few key ingredients and a bit of marinating time.

Plus, it gives you lots of fun dipping opportunities!

#22 Mussel Soup Italian Style

Close-up of mussels and gnocchi in a tomato-based broth, showcasing one of the delicious Italian seafood recipes. The dish has a rich, appetizing look, perfect for the Feast of the Seven Fishes.

Italian-style mussel soup is a cozy meal for your loved ones on Christmas!

#23 SHRIMP SCAMPI WITH GARLIC AND LEMON

Creamy shrimp pasta, garnished with fresh chives, served on a white plate with a glass of white wine and a bottle of wine in the background. One of many delicious Italian seafood recipes.

Shrimp sautéed quickly in garlic, white wine, and lemon zest become a quick, satisfying appetizer for celebrating Christmas Eve as a family.

#24 Pasta With Sardines And Cherry Tomatoes

Close-up of linguine pasta with Italian seafood recipe ingredients: tomatoes, herbs, and fish, sprinkled with parmesan, ready to enjoy as part of the Feast of the Seven Fishes.

Enjoy this hearty yet light pasta dish’s bright flavors of sardines, tomatoes, and fresh herbs, perfect for Christmas Eve feasting.

#25 Pan Seared Scallop Salad with a Mandarin Vinaigrette

Seared scallops atop a vibrant green salad with shaved parmesan, part of delicious Italian seafood recipes.

Sweet seared scallops are dressed and paired with colorful veggies, making this salad refined but relaxed for Christmas festivities.

#26 Pistachio Crusted Fish

Crusted cod fillet, a featured Italian seafood recipe, rests on vibrant green pea puree with fennel salad. A fork pierces the flaky white fish, showcasing its texture.

Pistacchio crusted fish is a great idea to elevate the flavor of a simple baked fish.

Pistacchio crust is super easy to make, crunchy, and flavorful. The crust adds flavor to the fish and keeps it from drying out.

#27 Grilled Swordfish

Grilled swordfish steaks, part of Italian seafood recipes, are topped with parsley and lemon wedges on a plate. The swordfish shows grill marks and a golden-brown sear.

Juicy grilled swordfish steaks are a delicious main protein for Christmas Eve supper, whether served with lemon wedges or on more composed plates.

#28 Smoked Salmon Wreath

A festive smoked salmon wreath, featuring lettuce, cucumber ribbons, radishes, capers, dill sprigs, and lemon wedges. Slices of dark rye bread and a small bowl of creamy dill sauce are on the side, perfect for Italian seafood recipes.

This Smoked Salmon Wreath is the perfect addition to your festive table.

Simple to prepare and so delicious.

See also:

Buon Natale and Happy Holidays!

4 Comments

Ellen REED says:

December 18, 2021 at 4:49 pm

You are wonderful. Thank you for providing these.

Ellen Reed [Tedesco and Raguso family]

1. The Bella Vita says:
  
  December 19, 2021 at 12:38 pm
  
  Thanks 🙂
  
Janette says:

December 9, 2023 at 11:11 pm

This is a delicious collection and I want to enjoy them all. Thank you so much for including my brodetto di pesce

1. Angie says:
  
  December 12, 2023 at 3:36 pm
  
  I”m always happy to feature contributor recipes that fit well with the theme.