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Easter, or Pasqua, is one of the most cherished holidays in Italy. Rooted in both Catholic tradition and seasonal celebration, it’s a time for renewal, gathering with loved ones, and preparing meals that reflect Italy’s deep culinary history. While Christmas may steal the spotlight with its grandeur, Easter is more intimate and uniquely regional—each part of Italy brings its own flavors and customs to the table.
At Red Moon Pizza, we love to celebrate Italian traditions, and Easter is no exception. In this post, we’ll explore how Italians celebrate Easter across the country and highlight a few classic dishes that you can try at home or use for inspiration at your own spring table.
The Importance of Food in Italian Easter Celebrations
In Italy, Easter is a multi-day celebration that begins with Lent (the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday), builds to Holy Week, and culminates with a feast on Easter Sunday followed by Pasquetta (Easter Monday), a day reserved for picnics and casual meals with friends.
Food during Easter is especially symbolic—it represents rebirth, abundance, and the end of fasting. After weeks of Lenten simplicity, Easter Sunday is the time to indulge in rich meats, eggs, sweet breads, and spring vegetables. Each dish has meaning, and many of them date back generations.
1. Colomba di Pasqua – The Dove of Peace
One of the most iconic Italian Easter desserts is the Colomba di Pasqua, a soft, sweet bread shaped like a dove (colomba means “dove” in Italian). Much like the panettone at Christmas, this yeast-risen bread is made with flour, eggs, butter, and candied citrus peel, and it’s topped with crunchy pearl sugar and almonds.
The dove shape symbolizes peace and resurrection, making it a beautiful centerpiece for any Easter table. It’s typically sliced and served with espresso or sweet wine at the end of the meal.
At Red Moon, we’re all about honoring tradition. While we don’t bake colomba in-house, we always suggest pairing your holiday meal with something symbolic and sweet—especially one that tells a story.
2. Torta Pasqualina – Easter Spinach and Egg Pie
Hailing from Liguria, this savory Easter pie is a springtime favorite that beautifully reflects the season. Made with layers of flaky pastry or thin dough, it’s filled with a mixture of ricotta cheese, cooked greens (typically spinach or Swiss chard), and whole eggs that are cracked into the filling and baked right inside.
When sliced, the eggs are revealed like little treasures—symbolizing new life and rebirth, which is central to Easter’s spiritual themes.
Torta Pasqualina is often served as a first course or as part of an Easter Monday picnic. It’s easy to prepare ahead of time and delicious served warm or at room temperature, making it a practical and festive addition to any Easter meal.
3. Agnello al Forno – Roasted Easter Lamb
Lamb is perhaps the most traditional Easter main dish across Italy, representing both religious symbolism (Christ as the Lamb of God) and the pastoral lifestyle of spring.
Agnello al forno, or oven-roasted lamb, is a dish prepared in many regions with slight variations. In Rome, it’s often flavored with garlic, rosemary, and anchovies. In Sicily, you might find it seasoned with citrus and olives. Regardless of the preparation, it’s usually served with roasted potatoes or artichokes—another springtime staple.
The key to a great Easter lamb dish is simplicity. The quality of the meat and a few fresh, bold flavors are all you need to create something worthy of the holiday.
4. Pizza Rustica – The Ultimate Easter Pie
Also known as Pizza Chiena (meaning “filled pie” in Neapolitan dialect), Pizza Rustica is a hearty savory pie filled with cured meats like salami, prosciutto, soppressata, along with eggs and multiple cheeses—typically ricotta, mozzarella, and provolone.
This dish is common in southern Italy and is typically served cold or at room temperature. It’s incredibly rich and dense, which made it a celebratory indulgence after Lenten fasting.
The pie is often prepared a day or two before Easter and eaten throughout the holiday weekend. While it's called “pizza,” it more closely resembles a deep-dish quiche or layered meat pie—perfect for feeding a crowd.
5. Pastiera Napoletana – Sweet Ricotta and Wheat Pie
Another southern specialty, this dessert is a Neapolitan Easter classic. Pastiera Napoletana is a sweet pie made with ricotta cheese, cooked wheat berries, orange blossom water, and candied fruit, all baked into a delicate pastry crust.
Legend has it that pastiera was first made by a nun in Naples who wanted to create a dessert that symbolized spring’s renewal—hence the wheat (new life), ricotta (purity), and citrus (sunshine). The result is a fragrant, custard-like dessert with a texture and flavor unlike anything else.
This dish is typically made a couple of days in advance, allowing the flavors to develop and the pie to firm up before slicing.
Easter Monday – La Pasquetta Traditions
After the formal meals and gatherings of Easter Sunday, Pasquetta, or Easter Monday, is all about relaxation and casual eating. Italians often take a picnic to the countryside, bringing along leftovers like torta pasqualina, hard-boiled eggs, salumi, cheese, and bread.
The emphasis is on spending time outdoors with friends and family—celebrating the arrival of spring with good food, sunshine, and simplicity.
Bringing Italian Easter to Your Home
Even if you’re not traveling to Rome or Naples this April, you can still celebrate Italian Easter traditions in your own kitchen. Here are a few tips for adding a bit of Italian spirit to your spring table:
- Create a small antipasto spread with Italian cheeses, olives, and prosciutto
- Bake a simple torta pasqualina or a savory Easter pie ahead of time
- Roast lamb or chicken with fresh rosemary and lemon
- Finish with something sweet, whether it’s store-bought colomba or your favorite Italian cookie
- Decorate with fresh flowers and eggs for a table that’s both beautiful and symbolic
Conclusion: Celebrating Easter the Italian Way
Easter in Italy is more than a holiday—it’s a celebration of life, tradition, and the return of abundance after the quiet stillness of winter. Through food, Italians honor both faith and family, enjoying dishes that have been passed down for generations.
Whether you're preparing a full Easter feast or simply looking for new recipes to try this spring, we hope these traditional dishes bring a little joy—and a lot of flavor—to your table.
Buona Pasqua from all of us at Red Moon!
