Italian Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Even though Thanksgiving Day technically has nothing to do with Italy directly, we still incorporate Italian food into our Italian Thanksgiving dinner. This list of Italian recipes will hopefully inspire you with new menu ideas for this wonderful holiday.

As an Italian American living in the U.S., many of these dishes are easy to prepare and are prefect for when planning a dinner party in conjunction with our big, fat turkey!

Don’t forget to check out our Thanksgiving dinner party leftover recipe ideas as well.

Prosciutto-wrapped Dates

Instead of stuffing dates we’re making this wrapped dates appetizer a breeze by chopping the dates and rolling with ricotta and prosciutto.

Mushrooms Steamed in Parchment

This recipe was inspired from a vintage Italian cookbook that I modified to modern tastes and standards. I think this is such a fun way to serve mushrooms inside parchment pouches as part of your Thanksgiving meal.

Roast Turkey with Olive oil

I love cooking my turkey with olive oil instead of butter – or at least doing a mix. Crispy and flavorful, the way we like it. Make sure to check out my post on how to dry brine a turkey so it comes out moist and delicious for a perfect fall dinner party.

Italian Orzo Risotto

This is a great way to use orzo pasta as a side dish. It’s cheesy and full of Italian traditional flavors.

Stuffed Italian Mushrooms for Thanksgiving

I’ve never had a complaint about my stuffed mushrooms, from readers, family or friends. Instead it’s requested for every holiday. These can also be prepared ahead of time and cooked before serving.

Baked Zucchini Slices with Rosemary

This recipe for baked zucchini goes great with turkey, making it a wonderful idea for Thanksgiving day. It’s one of my favorite ways to prepare and serve zucchini, especially during cooler months.

If you’re a fan of zucchini, check out my zucchini cookbook or these other squash recipes here.

Green Beans and Tomatoes

Although the green and red colors also compliment Christmas and Italy at the same time, there’s no reason we can’t use this easy green bean recipe for Thanksgiving too! These also make great leftovers.

Stuffed Baked Tomatoes

I like this recipe because it’s great for vegetarians, plus it gives a nice color pop for the meal presentation. These are stuffed with tuna, but you can also stuff the tomatoes with breadcrumbs and other veggies.

Baked Cauliflower

There are many ways to make baked cauliflower, but this method is one of my favorites. It’s super easy and will surprise everyone as to how delicious it is.

Chicken Parmesan

If you have guests that aren’t fans of turkey, there’s nothing wrong with having a pan filled with chicken parmesan as well. They’ll thank you for it!

Baked Orzo Casserole

Here’s another orzo recipe, but this time we’re turning it into an orzo casserole. Mixed with herbs, spices and cheese, then topped with a crunchy Italian breadcrumb mixture. Delicious!

Italian Peppers, Onion and Sausage

This is a classic peppers and sausage Italian recipe from my mother who learned it from my dad’s Italian family. Very easy to make and is a great side dish.

Antipasto Platter Creation

If you’re looking to have an Italian themed dinner and lots of appetizers, I recommend reading my post on how to create a antipasto platter. I provided lots of ideas and flexibility to make it a breeze to make and serve.

Arugula Spinach Salad

I love this simple salad that uses arugula and spinach. The good news is many grocery stores sell this lettuce combo as a premix, saving you lots of time. The salad uses a delicious lemon dressing that’s also easy to make.

Tortellini and Broth

For a soup appetizer, I recommend serving cooked tortellini in broth. It’s a traditional Italian recipe and it’s very complimentary to a roast turkey.

Minestrone

If you’re looking for a soup with pasta and a bit more hearty, try my Italian minestrone soup that can easily be made in advance and reheated when ready to serve.

Stuffed Pasta Shells

If you’re looking for some pasta recipes for thanksgiving, then you can’t go wrong with recipes like my pasta shells stuffed with ricotta and spinach. You’ll love it.

Cauliflower and Prosciutto

This cauliflower and prosciutto recipe makes a great side dish for your Tday meal. I love how the flavors blend together in a subtle and delicious way.

Italian Fried Cauliflower

If you want to really wow your guests, try frying your cauliflower florets in a simple Italian batter. This is how my Sicilian mother in law made her fried cauliflower and it’s a tribute to her cooking.

Spinach Manicotti

For a truly Italian pasta dish, you must try my spinach filled manicotti. You can use store bought shells or make your own.

Eggless Tiramisu

I love tiramisu, and you probably do too. But what if you could make it without egg and have it taste just as amazing? My recipe for eggless tiramisu will do exactly that.

Almond Ricotta Cake

Here is an Italian ricotta cake with almonds that can be made anytime of year and that includes Thanksgiving. Give it a try, it’s easy and delicious.

Italian Lemon Cookies

Add some brightness to your dessert table with these Italian lemon cookies. Make ahead and freeze until the day before.

Chocolate Pizzelles

Everyone loves pizzelles so check out these chocolate pizzelles your guests will loves!