28 Classic Dishes for a True Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve
Seafood Fra Diavolo
With Christmas just around the corner, it's natural that all of us are preparing our menus to celebrate this special occasion, particularly for Christmas Eve dinner.
What is the Feast of the Seven Fishes?
For those who have never heard of this term before, the "Feast of the Seven Fishes" is basically an Italian-American celebration on the 24th of December (Christmas Eve), during which American families of Italian origin celebrate by eating plenty of fish and seafood.
The menu traditionally includes seven fish and seafood dishes, as a form of abstaining from meat until Christmas Day itself, and this custom was originally introduced to the United States by immigrants from South Italy.
Related: Feast of the Seven Fishes: The Meaning of the Christmas Eve Tradition
From Grilled Octopus Salad and Sautéed Clams to Baked Cod and Shrimp Scampi, there are plenty of recipes to choose from so everyone can feast and enjoy on Christmas Eve.
Related: 31 Seriously Good Clam Recipes from Vongole to Clam Chowder
Here are the 28 best Feast of the Seven Fishes recipes. Get ready to feast this Christmas!
Feast of the Seven Fishes Recipes
Parade
A modest amount of Calabrian chile paste and chopped sun-dried tomatoes deliver bold, zesty flavor to this pasta with plump shrimp.
Get the recipe: Giada De Laurentiis' Penne With Spicy Calabrian Shrimp
Baker By Nature
This one-pan fish dish is a true beauty! Everything gets cooked in the same skillet, so at the end of the meal, you’re looking at very minimal clean up.
Get the recipe: One-Pan Sicilian Swordfish with Spicy Olive Oil and Poached Tomatoes
Fashionable Foods
Sweet and tender steamed clams are topped with a flavorful breadcrumb topping before being broiled to perfection. Clams casino is a restaurant classic that’s easy to make at home!
Get the recipe: Clams Casino
Charlotte Fashion Plate
This grilled octopus salad will blow you away. Tender pieces of octopus grilled to perfection and combined with super fresh ingredients.
Get the recipe: Grilled Octopus Salad
Rasa Malaysia
Grilled octopus with olive oil, cayenne pepper and lemon. This Spanish grilled octopus with salad is the best and restaurant worthy, juicy, tender and delicious!
Get the recipe: Grilled Octopus
Baker by Nature
A quick and easy recipe for pan-seared cod in white wine tomato basil sauce! If you love cod fish recipes, try this flavorful dish for dinner.
Get the recipe: Pan-Seared Cod in White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce
Kitchen Swagger
Mussels over pasta with light, yet creamy white wine sauce made with garlic, butter, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, and cream. Tossed with linguine and simmered until creamy.
Get the recipe: Mussels and Linguine with Garlic Butter Sauce
This shrimp risotto has a rich seafood flavor and is deliciously creamy. It's easy to make at home and perfect for an elegant dinner.
Get the recipe: Shrimp Risotto
Related: Best Arancini Risotto Balls Recipe
House of Nash Eats
Considered by many to be the signature dish of San Francisco, Cioppino is a wonderful seafood stew that is perfect for entertaining and holidays. Serve this with crusty sourdough bread to sop up all the delicious broth.
Get the recipe: San Francisco Cioppino
Skillet sauteed clams with garlic, tomatoes, white wine and parsley. This recipe tastes just like restaurants straight from Italy!
Get the recipe: Italian Sauteed Clams
Related: 31 Seriously Good Clam Recipes
Host the Toast
“Fra Diavolo” refers to a light tomato-based sauce that’s flavored with chili peppers and often served with seafood and pasta. It’s got a slightly spicy kick that gets your blood pumping, pairs wonderfully with wine.
Get the recipe: Seafood Fra Diavolo
Sip And Feast
Shrimp oreganata is one of those dishes that seems difficult, but is actually super easy to make. Get some good quality shrimp and a few other ingredients and you will have this awesome dish ready in no time!
Get the recipe: Shrimp Oreganata
Valentina's Corner
I love this simple, quick and easy garlic butter sauteed shrimp recipe. This pan-fried shrimp is tossed with an easy Italian seasoning sautéed in butter and lemon.
Get the recipe: Italian Seasoned Butter Shrimp
Charlotte Fashion Plate
A super simple but flavorful dish, these honey garlic scallops with brown butter is going to be a favorite!
Get the recipe: Honey Garlic Scallops with Brown Butter
Sip and Feast
Linguine alle vongole (linguine with clams) is such a great dish. It’s so fresh and vibrant from the delicious briny clams.
Get the recipe: Linguine alle Vongole
Sip and Feast
Garlic, lemon, and parsley join forces in a velvety, buttery, wine sauce to form what might be one of the most iconic Italian-American seafood dishes.
Get the recipe: Classic Shrimp Scampi
Culinary Ginger
Brodetto di Pesce (seafood in broth) is an authentic, Italian seafood dish. A delicious selection of seafood cooked in a tomato broth flavored with wine and garlic.
Get the recipe: Brodetto di Pesce (Seafood Broth)
My Gourmet Connection
Fish Puttanesca (Pesce Alla Puttanesca) is an easy skillet dish of mild white fish fillets simmered in a rustic Italian tomato sauce.
Get the recipe: Fish Puttanesca
Related: 55 Best Air Fryer Fish Recipes
Sweet, buttery and delicate sea scallops are quickly seared in a hot pan, then a simple lemon, butter and garlic sauce is made in the same pan. Served on their own or over pasta, these seared scallops are perfect for date night at home.
Get the recipe: Lemon Butter Scallops
This baked cod recipe is truly the best you can find! Perfectly-seasoned cod, covered with a layer of roasted pepper sauce and topped with crispy breadcrumbs.
Get the recipe: Baked Cod
Rasa Malaysia
Fried Calamari - deep fried calamari recipe Italian style. Serve with tomato sauce as dipping sauce, this is the best recipe ever, extra crispy, easy and delicious!
Get the recipe: Fried Calamari
Le Creme de La Crumb
Cajun shrimp and rice skillet is a one-pot wonder full of flavorful shrimp and rice with a Cajun seasoning that the entire family will enjoy!
Get the recipe: Cajun Shrimp and Rice Skillet
Related: 42 Super Simple Rice Bowl Recipes
Diethood
This skillet tilapia with creamy lemon sauce tastes like summertime. The fresh garlic, herbs, and lemon juice will immediately transport you to a balcony Bistro on the Island of Capri without ever leaving your house.
Get the recipe: Skillet Tilapia with Creamy Lemon Sauce
Diethood
This garlic butter baked salmon recipe makes tender, flaky salmon brushed with an incredible garlic butter sauce!
Get the recipe: Garlic Butter Baked Salmon
Rasa Malaysia
Rich and creamy lobster bisque just like the best seafood restaurants. Learn how to make lobster bisque soup at home with this easy and fail-proof recipe, so good.
Get the recipe: Lobster Bisque
Related: 52 Best Lobster Recipes & Ideas
Paleo Grubs
You need to try this easy cod piccata recipe and serve it up for any special ocassion!
Get the recipe: Cod Piccata
Related: 30 Comforting Italian Recipes That Work For Any Night of the Week
The Recipe Critic
This lobster tail recipe is a decadent dinner made with large lobster tails smothered with a buttery garlic herb sauce then broiled under high heat making these lobster tails tender and juicy. The ultimate indulgence!
Get the recipe: The Best Lobster Tail
Will Cook for Smiles
Ten minutes is all you need to make restaurant-quality seared scallops.
Get the recipe: Seared Scallops
Up next: 31 Perfect Scallop Recipes to Make Any Meal Extra Special
