12 Recipes For the Feast of the Seven Fishes

Embark on a culinary voyage reminiscent of an Italian Christmas with our selection of seafood recipes tailor-made for the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Rooted in Catholic tradition, this Christmas Eve dinner celebration in Italy features an abundance of seafood, showcasing diverse kinds of seafood and shellfish.

Embrace the essence of this cherished Christmas Eve tradition with dishes like the Cioppino (Seafood Stew) and the flavorful Pasta With Mussels in Tomato Sauce. These healthy seafood dinner recipes are not only perfect options for your Feast of the Seven Fishes menu but also capture the spirit of Italian Christmas, providing a delightful and festive addition to your holiday celebrations.

Get ready to explore our 12 favorite recipes for the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Merry Christmas!

1. Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

Who says you cannot incorporate the bright punch of Mexican flavors into your Seven Fishes Feast? This quick and flavorful Mexican shrimp cocktail recipe is ready in just 10 minutes, offering a zesty, fresh shrimp cocktail sauce that pairs perfectly with juicy shrimp. Featuring a combination of crunchy veggies and tender shrimp, this light and healthy appetizer can be served with chips, crackers, or veggies. Whether you choose to poach or marinate the shrimp, this easy-to-make dish is naturally low-carb, gluten-free, and a delightful addition to any party or gathering.

2. Cioppino (Seafood Stew)

Celebrity chef Bobby Flay shares his version of the iconic San Francisco dish, cioppino, a flavorful Italian-American fish stew. In this quick and easy recipe, shallots and garlic are sautéed in olive oil, then simmered with white wine, chicken stock, clam juice, diced tomatoes, thyme, bay leaf, and hot sauce, creating a rich tomato broth. Generous portions of littleneck clams, snapper fillets, and medium shrimp are added and cooked until tender. The finishing touch includes butter and parsley, resulting in a delightful seafood medley served over sourdough toast.

3. Air Fryer Calamari (So Crispy But Not Greasy)

Love fried calamari but not all the grease? This air fryer calamari recipe offers a healthier take on the popular fried appetizer. The calamari rings are soaked in a buttermilk mixture, lightly battered with flour, breadcrumbs, and egg, and then air-fried to perfection. The result is a deliciously crispy calamari that’s not greasy. With the added benefits of less mess, lower calories, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional frying, this recipe is a guilt-free and flavorful seafood starter. The calamari is served with a flavorful seasoning mix, making it a perfect choice for a game-day treat or Feast of the Seven Fishes appetizer.

4. 20-Minute Shrimp Fra Diavolo

This 20-minute shrimp fra diavolo recipe delivers a speedy and flavorful twist on the classic Italian dish. The spicy shrimp, cooked in a tomato sauce with garlic, white wine, and fire-roasted tomatoes, strikes a balance between heat and depth of flavor. With a unique touch of diced fire-roasted tomatoes and umami-rich tomato paste, this dish pairs perfectly with pasta, rice, or crusty bread for a quick and satisfying addition to your Feast of the Seven Fishes menu.

5. Insalata di Baccalà (Italian Salt Cod Salad)

This Insalata di baccalà, or Italian salt cod salad, provides a simple and nutritious meal option, especially during Lent and for the Feast of the Seven Fishes. The dish involves boiling soaked salt cod, breaking it into bite-sized pieces, and combining it with garlic, fresh parsley, and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. With only four ingredients, it’s a straightforward yet flavorful dish that can be served as a side or main course, reflecting the ease of traditional Italian cooking.

6. Healthy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles

This healthy shrimp scampi with zucchini noodles offers a light and flavorful twist on the classic pasta dish. The traditional pasta is replaced with zucchini noodles, providing a low-carb and low-calorie option. The recipe retains essential elements like garlic, lemon, parmesan, and butter but in adjusted amounts for a more balanced version. Quick to make and delicious, it’s a perfect choice for a wholesome meal, especially during the vibrant produce season, or as a healthy addition to your Feast of the Seven Fishes meal plan.

7. Acqua Pazza – Italian Poached Fish

Acqua Pazza, translating to “fish in crazy water,” is a delightful Italian poached fish dish, making it a welcome, light addition to any Feast of the Seven Fishes meal. The recipe features firm white fish fillets, such as snapper, cooked in a flavorful sauce made with wine, tomatoes, fennel, and herbs. The magic happens as the fish is half-steamed and half-poached, resulting in a moist and flavorful dish. Served atop crispy garlic crostini, this Acqua Pazza is a simple yet enchanting showcase of Italian culinary artistry.

8. Pasta With Mussels in Tomato Sauce

This flavorful linguine with mussels recipe is a delightful dish, featuring a tomato-based sauce and fresh mussels. The recipe recommends using semolina linguine but provides the flexibility to opt for whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta. The mussels are briefly cooked in white wine with garlic and shallot until they open, creating a delicious broth. The tomato sauce, infused with garlic, red pepper flakes, and herbs, is then combined with the mussels, resulting in a rich and savory flavor. Tossed with al dente linguine and fresh parsley, this dish is a perfect blend of seafood and pasta, offering a quick and satisfying meal.

9. Blackened Halibut

This blackened halibut recipe promises a quick and flavorful dinner in just 20 minutes, ideal for your holiday gathering. With a blend of bold spices including paprika, thyme, and cayenne, the halibut fillets are cooked in butter for a perfectly blackened exterior and tender interior. Serve with various sides or enjoy the versatile dish with suggested accompaniments like cauliflower pancakes or roasted vegetables.

10. Seared Scallops and Cauliflower Rice Risotto

This seared scallops and cauliflower rice risotto offers a quick and keto-friendly version of a restaurant favorite. Featuring pan-seared sea scallops atop a creamy parmesan broccoli “risotto” made with cauliflower rice, this dish is a perfect blend of elegance and simplicity, ready in just 30 minutes. Ideal for a budget-friendly date night or special occasion, it combines the richness of scallops with the comfort of a vegetable-packed risotto, making it a popular choice for keto enthusiasts.

11. Fish Puttanesca

This fish puttanesca recipe offers a quick and delightful twist on the classic puttanesca sauce. Combining the bold flavors of garlic, anchovies, olives, capers, and tomatoes, the sauce serves as the perfect base for poaching white fish like cod or snapper. The fish simmers in the sauce in the oven, ensuring it stays moist and fully absorbs the rich puttanesca flavors. This versatile Italian seafood dish allows you to choose your preferred white fish, making it a convenient and delicious option for a speedy, yet impressive, dinner.

12. 15-Minute Mediterranean Sardine Salad

This quick seafood salad is a nutritious meal that features white beans, sardines, cherry tomatoes, green onions, and fresh herbs. Topped with a zesty homemade Dijon mustard and Aleppo pepper dressing, it offers a burst of flavor in just 15 minutes. Perfect for a light dinner or lunch, especially when served with crusty bread to soak up the delicious dressing.