Younger adults in the UK are planning to abandon the traditional Christmas dinner, with nearly a fifth planning to serve up the likes of pizza, curry or pasta this festive season.

While Christmas dinner in the UK is traditionally dominated by turkey, stuffing and sprouts, new data reveals that for many countries, pizza is firmly part of the festive tradition, as people ditch the stress of cooking and washing up.

As a nation, our love for a supermarket pizza is only growing – with more than £667million spent on cheesy pizza goodness last year, as we look for restaurant quality food that doesn’t break the bank.

James Nice, pizza expert at premium frozen pizza brand, Craft Pizza, available at Tesco, said: “The UK wouldn’t be the first to choose pizza over traditional festive fare. In countries such as Norway, eating pizza is actually a Christmas Eve ritual and Sicily indulge in fried pizza on Boxing Day.

“It might sound unusual to some, but having pizza at Christmas is becoming increasingly normal. More people, especially young adults, are choosing convenient, great-tasting meals that give them back time. Christmas should be about enjoying the day with family and friends, not feeling trapped in the kitchen. If serving pizza helps make the season less stressful, then it’s a perfectly valid choice.”

So which countries have already adopted the Christmas Pizza trend?

Norway: A Christmas Eve pizza tradition

“In Norway, pizza isn’t just a casual meal, for many it’s a Christmas Eve ritual. The iconic frozen pizza brand Grandiosa has become such a staple that thousands of Norwegians enjoy it as part of their celebrations each year. With busy schedules, family gatherings and the pressures of the season, it’s a no-fuss tradition that’s only growing stronger.”

Italy: The birthplace of pizza brings its own festive flair

“Italy’s Christmas pizza traditions go far beyond the classic Margherita. In Sicily, sfincione, a thick, spongy, focaccia-style pizza topped with anchovies, onions and breadcrumbs, is a much-loved holiday staple. Meanwhile, in parts of southern Italy, families indulge in pizza fritta (fried pizza) on St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day). It’s an indulgent treat that celebrates Italy’s rich tradition of regional festive flavours.”

United States: Pizza as the ultimate Christmas Day shortcut

“In the US, over 44% of people said they’d prefer to have pizza than turkey. With many Americans juggling long journeys, last-minute hosting and busy schedules, pizza remains one of the most accessible, crowd-pleasing meals to order on the day itself, especially after indulging in Thanksgiving just a month before.”

The full Craft Pizza range is available at Tesco in store and online, with prices starting from £3.50.

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