From dazzling starters to decadent desserts, let Pick ‘n Save be your guide for holiday entertaining! Our seasonal selection of fresh finds, global flavors, local favorites and doable inspiration will bring joy to every get-together, sip and bite.
Keep reading for recipes galore that will make your merry meals shine, along with an array of festive spritzes, spirits and wines perfectly paired for every occasion. Whatever holiday you celebrate, trust Pick ‘n Save to help make entertaining a breeze, so you can focus on what matters most: the magic of the season!
Spread Cheer with Cheeseboards, Charcuterie & Fondue
Holiday entertaining calls for delicious spreads that bring everyone together. Our Pick ‘n Save experts suggest starting with the essentials that transport the rich flavors of Italy right to your table. Try pairing extra-thin slices of prosciutto with:
- Murray’s pitted Frescatrano olives
- Veroni black pepper salami
- And a trio of cheeses like Ciresa Taleggio, Caseificio dell’Alta Langa Gemma di Langa and Ciresa Mountain Gorgonzola
Add a touch of sweetness with Amarena Toschi sour black cherries in syrup for an unexpected burst of flavor that makes any bite feel special.
Looking to create a more sweet-n-savory snacking and app-ing experience? Drizzle Mitica sunflower honey over Piave cheese and serve with Mitica Taralli Classico and Toketti Sardinian flatbread.
Veroni’s Calabrese salami and Murray’s La Tur cheese also make a luxurious pairing that’s as easy to enjoy as it is beautiful to present.
If you’re bringing a “dish to pass” to a holiday party, consider a spread that offers something for everyone. The Veroni salami trio—Milano, Calabrese and Toscano—complement Ficacci gourmet grilled vegetables, including garlic, mushrooms and peppers, for a flavorful twist.
Holiday entertaining calls for delicious spreads that bring everyone together. Our Pick ‘n Save experts suggest starting with the essentials that transport the rich flavors of Italy right to your table. Try pairing extra-thin slices of prosciutto with:
- Murray’s pitted Frescatrano olives
- Veroni black pepper salami
- And a trio of cheeses like Ciresa Taleggio, Caseificio dell’Alta Langa Gemma di Langa and Ciresa Mountain Gorgonzola
Add a touch of sweetness with Amarena Toschi sour black cherries in syrup for an unexpected burst of flavor that makes any bite feel special.
Looking to create a more sweet-n-savory snacking and app-ing experience? Drizzle Mitica sunflower honey over Piave cheese and serve with Mitica Taralli Classico and Toketti Sardinian flatbread.
Veroni’s Calabrese salami and Murray’s La Tur cheese also make a luxurious pairing that’s as easy to enjoy as it is beautiful to present.
If you’re bringing a “dish to pass” to a holiday party, consider a spread that offers something for everyone. The Veroni salami trio—Milano, Calabrese and Toscano—complement Ficacci gourmet grilled vegetables, including garlic, mushrooms and peppers, for a flavorful twist.
Round out your holiday platter with artisan breads. From Coleen’s three-cheese breadsticks to a warm, aromatic focaccia from our Bakery, these pairings set the stage for classics like Parmigiano-Reggiano and indulgent BelGioioso burrata. Try adding some authentic Italian bites like Veroni Prosciutto d’Italia or pistachio-studded mortadella alongside Patti parchment bread drizzled with Italian olive oil and salt.
And for a touch of old-world tradition, make this holiday fondue season! With endless options for dipping—think crusty bread, crisp veggies, choice meats, fresh fruit, cookies and more—fondue can be the highlight of your festive feast. Visit our dedicated Fondue Page for cheeses and recipes that will make you melt!
Global Butter Brings Holiday Magic to Every Bite
Rich, creamy and oh-so-decadent, butter is more than just an ingredient; it’s the secret to unforgettable holiday dishes! From flaky pastries to perfectly golden vegetables, explore the world of global butters to elevate every festive bite this season.
Find inspiration and discover unique varieties at your local Pick ‘n Save, ready to add warmth and flavor to your holiday spread. Plus use these tips for choosing the best butter for what you’re making:
- Everyday Enjoying: Salted butter is an all-purpose favorite for basics like toast, pasta and vegetables, bringing a little extra to the table.
- Holiday Baking: Unsalted butter with high fat content creates rich, flaky pastries and cookies while giving you full control over sweetness and flavor.
- Festive Grilling: Try a compound butter infused with herbs and spices to bring a delicious twist to holiday steaks, roasts and seasonal vegetables.
- Spreadable Flavor: A rich, thick, room-temperature salted butter is the ultimate spread for breads and pastries—ideal for cozy gatherings.
Let butter bring that rich, warm touch to all your favorite recipes and slather on more tasty knowledge and tidbits from our Global Butter Page.
Rich, creamy and oh-so-decadent, butter is more than just an ingredient; it’s the secret to unforgettable holiday dishes! From flaky pastries to perfectly golden vegetables, explore the world of global butters to elevate every festive bite this season.
Find inspiration and discover unique varieties at your local Pick ‘n Save, ready to add warmth and flavor to your holiday spread. Plus use these tips for choosing the best butter for what you’re making:
- Everyday Enjoying: Salted butter is an all-purpose favorite for basics like toast, pasta and vegetables, bringing a little extra to the table.
- Holiday Baking: Unsalted butter with high fat content creates rich, flaky pastries and cookies while giving you full control over sweetness and flavor.
- Festive Grilling: Try a compound butter infused with herbs and spices to bring a delicious twist to holiday steaks, roasts and seasonal vegetables.
- Spreadable Flavor: A rich, thick, room-temperature salted butter is the ultimate spread for breads and pastries—ideal for cozy gatherings.
Let butter bring that rich, warm touch to all your favorite recipes and slather on more tasty knowledge and tidbits from our Global Butter Page.
Bring a Taste of Tradition to Your Table with Pasta
This season, celebrate with the cozy, comforting flavors of classic and creative culinary pastas. At Pick ‘n Save, you’ll find both fresh and dry varieties, each perfect for its own style of holiday dish.
Fresh pasta, made with eggs, flour, water and salt, cooks up quickly and pairs wonderfully with rich, creamy sauces like carbonara and alfredo. Its delicate texture and soft bite make it the star of any festive meal. For a holiday-worthy alfredo, grab some fresh Severino bucatini or La Molisana fettuccine and watch it transform into a silky, luxurious dish in minutes.
For heartier holiday dishes, dry pasta is the go-to choice. Crafted with just flour, salt and water, it’s shelf-stable and stands up beautifully to robust, meaty sauces like a classic ragú or slow-simmered Bolognese. When using dry pasta, remember to cook it in plenty of water with a generous pinch of salt, bringing it to a rapid boil before adding the noodles to ensure they don’t stick. And don’t forget to save a splash of pasta water—it’s a secret ingredient for thickening sauces and helping them cling to the noodles for a perfect coating.
Use enough water, stir frequently and skip rinsing the pasta after cooking. With these simple tips, you’ll master the art of cooking pasta just in time for the holidays. Buon appetito!
Festive Entrées and Sides for Your Upcoming Gathering
Choosing the perfect entrée as the centerpiece of your holiday feast is all about flavor and tradition.
- For a jaw-dropping main dish, consider a rib roast that offers melt-in-your-mouth tenderness with rich, savory notes.
- Prefer something timeless? A honey-glazed ham brings just the right touch of sweetness to balance the holiday spread.
- And a golden, roasted turkey always delivers on holiday nostalgia and pairs well with all the festive trimmings.
No matter which entrée you choose, each one sets a delicious stage for sides like buttery mashed potatoes, roasted carrots with herbs, or crisp and garlicky asparagus.
Short on time? Skip the prep and leave the cooking to us! Order a complete, fully cooked ham or turkey holiday meal that serves 6-8 guests. With all your holiday favorites included, from a succulent main course to comforting sides and more, you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time celebrating. Click the link to learn more about what’s included in our Holiday Dinners.
End Your Holiday Meal on a Sweet Note
Whether you love to bake or prefer to leave the mixing and cleanup work to us, Pick ‘n Save has got you covered! See below for some of our favorite seasonal recipes so you can make your own holiday treats.
As always, you can choose from our decadent Bakery selection of fancy Italian cookies, irresistible cakes in assorted flavors and sizes, Bella cupcakes and merry message cookies. Remember to also stock up on our delicious selection of fresh-baked cookies, brownies and more for Santa, teachers, neighbors, co-workers and holiday guests.
Whatever you choose, these desserts will bring a perfectly sweet ending to your holiday feast!
Sip, Savor & Celebrate This Holiday Season
Pick ‘n Save Adult Beverage Director Jaime Deleon is sharing an expertly curated seasonal sippers to help make your holiday gatherings truly unforgettable. Whether you're hosting an elegant soirée or heading to a festive gathering, these drink ideas will bring sparkle to every celebration.
Spritzes are a standout choice for this time of year—light, bubbly and effortlessly festive. Try an Aperol Spritz for classic citrus and herbaceous notes, a zesty Limoncello Spritz for bright lemon flavors or a Hugo Spritz with its floral, minty charm. Perfect for serving as individual cocktails or in a crowd-pleasing batch, these effervescent drinks set the stage for holiday cheer.
Aperol Spritz
This classic cocktail originated in Northern Italy in the 1950s and is now a cocktail menu staple across the world. It blends Aperol — an Italian orange-hued liqueur made from rhubarb and digestive herbs — with Prosecco and sparkling water to create a slightly bitter, slightly sweet drink with light citrus notes.
Ingredients: Aperol, Prosecco, club soda, ice
Glass: Large wine goblet, with or without a stem
Garnish: Orange slice
Limoncello Spritz
Also known as an Amalfi spritz, this cocktail uses Limoncello as a base. Limoncello is a lemon liqueur made on the Amalfi coast in Southern Italy, and the spirit adds a bright, citrusy, zesty and slightly tart flavor to the spritz cocktail.
Ingredients: Limoncello, Prosecco, club soda, ice
Glass: White wine glass or tumbler
Garnish: Basil or mint leaves and a slice of lemon
Hugo Spritz
The Hugo Spritz was invented in 2005 by a bartender near the Italian-Austrian border, who was looking for a version of the Aperol Spritz that was lighter with less bitter flavors while equally as refreshing. Blending light floral flavors, vibrant bubbles and fresh mint, the cocktail is smooth, sweet, bright and utterly sippable.
Ingredients: Elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, club soda, ice
Glass: White wine glass
Garnish: Mint and a slice of lime
Aperol Spritz
This classic cocktail originated in Northern Italy in the 1950s and is now a cocktail menu staple across the world. It blends Aperol — an Italian orange-hued liqueur made from rhubarb and digestive herbs — with Prosecco and sparkling water to create a slightly bitter, slightly sweet drink with light citrus notes.
Ingredients: Aperol, Prosecco, club soda, ice
Glass: Large wine goblet, with or without a stem
Garnish: Orange slice
Limoncello Spritz
Also known as an Amalfi spritz, this cocktail uses Limoncello as a base. Limoncello is a lemon liqueur made on the Amalfi coast in Southern Italy, and the spirit adds a bright, citrusy, zesty and slightly tart flavor to the spritz cocktail.
Ingredients: Limoncello, Prosecco, club soda, ice
Glass: White wine glass or tumbler
Garnish: Basil or mint leaves and a slice of lemon
Hugo Spritz
The Hugo Spritz was invented in 2005 by a bartender near the Italian-Austrian border, who was looking for a version of the Aperol Spritz that was lighter with less bitter flavors while equally as refreshing. Blending light floral flavors, vibrant bubbles and fresh mint, the cocktail is smooth, sweet, bright and utterly sippable.
Ingredients: Elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, club soda, ice
Glass: White wine glass
Garnish: Mint and a slice of lime
Wine lovers will find even more to celebrate with Jaime’s Italian wine recommendations. Start with the crisp and elegant Valdo Marco Oro Prosecco Brut, a sparkling favorite that pairs beautifully with seafood or appetizers. For more seafood or lemony dishes, the Riva de la Rosa Gavi offers bright citrus and savory notes. Hearty meals like lasagna or lamb are complemented by the GD Vajra Langhe Rosso, while the San Felice Chianti Classico is a rich, warming option for red meats or grilled pork. Serving lighter dishes like grilled fish or soft cheeses? Crisp and fruity Terlato Friuli Pinot Grigio DOC is an exceptional pairing.