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57 Seafood Recipes For Your Feast Of The Seven Fishes Dinner

Warning: It may be difficult to choose just seven.

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zuppa di pesce with mussels clams shrimp squid tomato white wine andgarlic
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

All the winter holidays are beyond full of (often super-delicious) traditions, but the Feast of the Seven Fishes is one that really steals the show. It involves family gathering for a feast of seven seafood dishes, or several kinds of fish prepared—you guessed it—in seven different ways. Italian-American families began preparing the seven-course dinner way back in the early 1900s, as a way to feel close to home while celebrating all the bounties of the sea on Christmas Eve (a day that Catholics traditionally don't consume meat). Such a feast calls for plenty of options, and we've got all kinds of seafood recipes to please everyone in your Christmas Eve crew!

So what are these seven fishes anyway? Well, there aren't necessarily any true rules to which fish you serve, but there are some clear favorites: anchovies (try them in our bagna cauda dip), sardines, shrimp (perhaps some shrimp scampi?), squid (fried calamari, naturally), mussels (especially with tomatoes and garlic), clams (linguine with clams is always a slam-dunk), lobster, and cod.

Those familiar with this feast have some advice to share with newbies. First, there are going to be lots of courses, so don't go overboard when purchasing ingredients for any one dish. Second, plan to start light and serve the fried items last (this way, your guests don't fill up too fast). That being said, if you really want to go maximalist with your seafood feast, be sure to add in a few seafood appetizers too.

Just because it's the Feast of the Seven Fishes doesn't mean you can only serve fish. We recommend a pleasing platter of antipasto bites for an authentic kickoff before you dive in!

1

Salmon En Croute

layers of salmon and cream spinach inside of puff pastry
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

A cheesy, garlicky, spinach mixture is the perfect balance to a tender salmon fillet. Everything is nestled together in the puff pastry dough, and after 20 minutes in the oven, you’ll have a buttery, flaky crust with perfectly tender salmon inside.

Get the Salmon En Croute recipe.

2

Linguine With Clams

linguine with clams fresh herbs, lemon, and red pepper flakes
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

When you want a bit of decadence and elegance at the dinner table, but don't have time to make a super-fancy meal, this your recipe. It's so simple, it can be thrown together in about 30 minutes. That wine sauce is perfection.

Get the Linguine With Clams recipe.

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3

Zuppa Di Pesce

zuppa di pesce with mussels clams shrimp squid tomato white wine andgarlic
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

A staple dish for any traditional Italian-American feast of the seven fishes, this stewy seafood dish is as beautiful as it is comforting. For our staple version, we went heavy on the mussels as well as clams, colossal (or jumbo if you can’t find) shrimp, and cuttlefish (remember, this is where calamari rings come from). If you’re looking for a shellfish extravaganza to impress family, then boil up a pot of linguine and toast some crostini for one of the best-ever seafood-driven dinners.

Get the Zuppa Di Pesce recipe.

4

Crispy Fried Calamari

calamari
Andrew Bui

Fried calamari doesn't have to be reserved for beachfront restaurants. It's easy to make at home and comes out extra-crispy and crunchy. A squeeze of lemon juice and fresh marinara and you're ready to go. After you master this, give fish and chips a go!

Get the Crispy Fried Calamari recipe.

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5

Baked Salmon

baked salmon with lemon slices and herbs
PHOTO: DOAA ELKADY; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This baked salmon is the best way to feed a crowd. There's no skillet cooking at all—everything is oven-baked in foil, making prep and cleanup a breeze. We believe it might just be the best baked salmon recipe...ever, and it goes super well with roasted potatoes and Brussels sprouts.

Get the Baked Salmon recipe.

6

Lobster Mac & Cheese Bites

lobster mac and cheese bites
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

The perfect bite to start any party is one made of mac and cheese and lobster. A combination of heavy cream, sharp cheddar, and nutty gouda cheese combined with sweet shallots and garlic are a simple canvas for both pasta and lobster. Our favorite part about these mini bites are how crispy the exterior gets, plus the addition of black pepper on top, which makes them pop.

Get the Lobster Mac & Cheese Bites recipe.

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7

Copycat Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi

copycat cheesecake factory shrimp scampi
Joel goldberg

Classic shrimp scampi is one of our favorite Italian American dishes. What could possibly beat plump shrimp spiked with garlic and lemon over pasta? How about all of that tossed in a Parmesan cream sauce. This Cheesecake Factory staple is a seafood lover’s dream!

Get the Copycat Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi recipe.

8

Cornbread-Stuffed Mussels

mussels stuffed with cornbread and spanish chorizo
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

Tender, stuffed mushrooms, packed to the gills with flavorful bread crumbs, are a staple hors d'oeuvres. But these mussels will make you rethink if mushrooms are the only things that should be stuffed. Feeling like you want to add some spice? Toss some diced jalapeños in there!

Get the Cornbread-Stuffed Mussels recipe.

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9

Lobster Risotto

lobster risotto
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

When you think of decedent dinners, there are few that can outshine the rich, creamy, seafood-stuffed glory that is lobster risotto. A simple combination of fresh aromatics, white wine, and seafood stock transforms humble Italian rice grains into the dreamy, cheesy, luscious rice porridge that we’ve all come to love.

Get the Lobster Risotto recipe.

10

Cheesy Shrimp & Grit Bites

smoked gouda grits, breaded and fried until crispy then topped with cajun seasoned shrimp and creamy remoulade sauce
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

The combination of creamy grits and spiced juicy shrimp in a holy trinity-spiked sauce is a match made in heaven. You can eat it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and now…you can finally have shrimp and grits in appetizer form. For our take on the two-bite version of this classic dish, smoked gouda grits are breaded and fried until golden brown and crispy, then topped with saucy Cajun-spiced shrimp and a flurry of fresh scallions.

Get the Cheesy Shrimp & Grit Bites recipe.

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11

Bagna Cauda

bagna cauda
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Looking for a fancy last-minute appetizer? Look no further than bagna cauda, an Italian dip that comes together in just 20 minutes with only 6 ingredients (including what you pair it with for dipping). It’s a buttery sauce made from lots of garlic and anchovies (stick with us), that somehow work together to create a dip that’s a little pungent, a little sweet, and will keep you coming back for more.

Get the Bagna Cauda recipe.

12

Garlicky Shrimp Alfredo Bake

shrimp in an alfredo pasta bake
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

In this recipe, shrimp is tossed in an easy from-scratch Alfredo sauce and penne before being topped with two (yes, two) types of cheese. It's baked until you have a bubbling, cheesy dinner that is just as perfect on busy weeknights as it is for fancy date nights or a holiday.

Get the Garlicky Shrimp Alfredo Bake recipe.

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13

Lobster Ravioli

lobster ravioli
PHOTO; ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLIST; FRANCESCA ZANI

For this version of lobster ravioli, we used wonton wrappers instead of pasta dough. If you want actual pasta-encased lobster ravioli, then our pasta dough is great; otherwise, we promise you’re going to make these over and over again.

Get the Lobster Ravioli recipe.

14

Pasta Puttanesca

pasta puttanesca delishcom
Parker feierbach

The super-fragrant sauce is made with a lot of garlic and anchovies that will have you begging for seconds. It's definitely a break from the classic spaghetti and meatballs, especially with the capers and olives adding a briny saltiness to this classic dish. Serve it with the best garlic bread ever and call it a day.

Get the Pasta Puttanesca recipe.

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15

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

bacon wrapped scallops with butter sauce and lemon
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Bacon-wrapped scallops are one of those dishes that wow guests but secretly are so easy to make (only 5 ingredients!). For best results, use big sea scallops and thin-cut, conventional bacon, but feel free to swap out the herbs for whatever you like.

Get the Bacon-Wrapped Scallops recipe.

16

Fish Pie

fish pie with salmon, shrimp and dill
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

America does have a couple of staple savory pies (chicken pot pie and shepherd's pie to name a few). And though their food can sometimes get an unjustly bad rap, the Brits really know how to make a flaky, comforting fish pie filled with all your favorite veg and protein.

Get the Fish Pie recipe.

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17

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail With Lemon-Horseradish Aioli

roasted shrimp cocktail with lemon horseradish aioli
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

This twist on a dinner party classic embraces the signature flavors of shrimp cocktail and comes together in less than 30 minutes. Typically, shrimp cocktail brings to mind a large platter of chilled shrimp and a sweet, tangy sauce.

Get the Roasted Shrimp Cocktail With Lemon-Horseradish Aioli recipe.

18

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon & Orzo

creamy sundried tomato salmon orzo topped with fresh basil
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

When you’re in the mood for a one-pan dinner that delivers on the comfort food factor, this recipe with creamy orzo and sun-dried tomatoes is the one to turn to. The sauce is especially delicious thanks to one of our favorite ingredients: sun-dried tomatoes.

Get the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon & Orzo recipe.

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19

Cioppino

classic cioppino
Parker Feierbach

Since plenty of seafood is available year-round, we went with four of our favorites: shrimp, clams, mussels, and halibut. The perfect accompaniment to cioppino has got to be crusty bread to sop up any remaining soup. A crispy French loaf would be great, but we also love to really highlight the flavors of San Francisco with a bit of sourdough.

Get the Cioppino recipe.

20

Grilled Oysters

grilled oysters
PHOTO: ANDREA MONZO; FOOD STYLIST: SPENCER RICHARDS

Grilling not only makes oysters easier to shuck and serve—the heat loosens the shell, meaning you just need to gently pop off the lid—it also heightens their briny flavor and imparts a subtly smoky char.

Get the Grilled Oysters recipe.

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