For many, Christmas dinner conjures images of roast turkey, ham, or prime rib, served with all the traditional trimmings. But for Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, the holiday season calls for something far more unique and unexpected—a towering Italian dish known as a timpano dome. This surprising Christmas dinner tradition, which the couple has upheld for years, reflects their shared love for creativity, family, and breaking the mold, even in the kitchen. As of April 25, 2025, their unconventional holiday ritual continues to captivate fans, offering a glimpse into the personal lives of one of music’s most beloved couples.
A Love Story That Extends to the Kitchen
Gwen Stefani, 55, and Blake Shelton, 48, have been a power couple since they began dating in 2015 after meeting as coaches on The Voice. They tied the knot in 2021 on Shelton’s sprawling Oklahoma ranch, a place that has become the heart of their family life. Stefani, the pop icon behind hits like “Hollaback Girl,” and Shelton, the country music star known for songs like “Austin,” have built a relationship that blends their contrasting worlds—her California glamour and his Southern roots—into a harmonious partnership. This blending extends to their holiday traditions, where they’ve created a Christmas dinner ritual that’s as unique as their love story.
The couple’s decision to make a timpano dome for Christmas dinner began several years ago, as Stefani shared in a 2023 interview with Entertainment Tonight. They wanted to try something different, something that wasn’t part of their usual holiday repertoire. “We started off by always trying to find something that wasn’t a tradition—like, let’s try something different, try something new,” Stefani explained in a December 2024 article by American Songwriter. After some research, they landed on the timpano, a dish famously depicted in the 1996 film Big Night, where it’s portrayed as a labor-intensive culinary masterpiece. For Stefani and Shelton, it was the perfect way to shake things up while creating a new family tradition.
What Is a Timpano Dome?
A timpano, also known as a timballo, is a dramatic Italian dish that resembles a drum (hence the name, derived from the Italian word for “drum”). Traditionally, it’s a baked dome of pasta, dough, or rice encasing layers of ingredients like meatballs, sausage, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, and a rich tomato sauce. The dish is a celebration of abundance, often prepared for special occasions due to its complexity and the time it takes to assemble. In its classic form, the timpano is wrapped in a layer of pasta or pastry dough, baked until golden, and then sliced to reveal the colorful, flavorful layers inside—a true showstopper for any gathering.
Stefani and Shelton, however, have put their own spin on the dish, adapting it to suit their tastes and making it a bit more approachable for their family. In a December 2024 interview with NBC Insider, Stefani revealed that instead of using the traditional pasta casing, they opt for pizza dough. “Some Italians might get mad about this because typically it would be pasta wrapped around it, but we started doing a pizza dough because it tastes yummy,” she admitted with a laugh. This tweak not only simplifies the preparation but also adds a familiar, comforting flavor that resonates with their love for hearty, home-cooked meals.
The couple’s timpano is filled with layers of pasta, meatballs, Italian sausage, mozzarella, and a rich marinara sauce, reflecting Stefani’s Italian heritage. She has often spoken about her family’s culinary traditions, noting in a December 2024 Hello Magazine interview that she strives to create traditions for her children—Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo—just as her parents did for her. The timpano, with its grandeur and communal nature, has become a centerpiece of their Christmas celebrations, bringing the family together in the kitchen and around the table.
A Labor of Love for the Holidays
Making a timpano is no small feat, and for Stefani and Shelton, it’s a true labor of love. The process begins with preparing the individual components: cooking the pasta, making the meatballs and sausage, simmering the sauce, and assembling the layers. The pizza dough is rolled out to encase the filling, a step that requires careful handling to ensure the dome holds its shape during baking. Once assembled, the timpano is baked for about an hour, filling the house with the irresistible aroma of Italian spices and melted cheese.
Shelton, who has embraced his role as the family’s resident country cook, takes an active part in the preparation. In a December 2024 Yahoo article, Stefani described how they’ve refined their approach over the years, learning from each Christmas to make the process smoother. “Maybe I’ll make the dough myself this year—which would be a lot on Christmas day,” she mused, hinting at her willingness to take on the challenge. The couple’s teamwork in the kitchen mirrors their partnership in life, with each bringing their strengths to the table—Shelton’s laid-back, hands-on approach complementing Stefani’s creative flair.
The timpano has become more than just a meal for the couple; it’s a symbol of their commitment to creating new memories with their family. Stefani’s sons, Kingston (18), Zuma (16), and Apollo (11), often join in the preparation, making it a collaborative effort that strengthens their bond. In a March 2025 NBC Insider article, Stefani shared how much she loves involving her children in family traditions, noting that these moments are what make the holidays special. For Shelton, who became a stepfather to the boys after marrying Stefani, the timpano tradition is a way to connect with his family and build a legacy of love and togetherness.
A Tradition That Resonates with Fans
The couple’s Christmas dinner tradition has resonated deeply with fans, who admire their ability to blend their diverse backgrounds into something uniquely their own. When Stefani first shared the story of their timpano tradition in 2023, social media lit up with praise. Fans on X expressed their delight, with one user writing, “Blake and Gwen making a timpano for Christmas is the most adorable thing I’ve heard all year!” Another commented, “I love how they’re creating their own traditions—it makes them so relatable.”
The timpano tradition also reflects the couple’s broader approach to the holiday season, which is centered on family, faith, and joy. In a December 2024 interview with Geo.tv, Stefani revealed that Christmas is her favorite time of year, a sentiment she shares with Shelton. “We’re always trying to create traditions, just as my parents did for us when I was a kid,” she said. Their holiday celebrations often include other heartfelt moments, like impromptu duets of their song “You Make Me Feel Like Christmas,” which they performed from their couch in December 2024, as reported by People. The couple’s ability to find joy in both the big moments—like the timpano—and the small ones—like singing together—has endeared them to fans worldwide.
Their Christmas dinner tradition also highlights their willingness to step outside the norm, a trait that defines much of their relationship. Shelton, a country music star with deep Southern roots, and Stefani, a pop icon with Italian heritage, have always embraced their differences, using them to create something new and meaningful. The timpano, with its Italian origins and their pizza dough twist, is a perfect metaphor for their marriage—a fusion of cultures, flavors, and love that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
A Lasting Legacy of Love and Tradition
As of April 25, 2025, Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton continue to uphold their surprising Christmas dinner tradition, with no signs of abandoning the timpano anytime soon. The dish has become a cornerstone of their holiday celebrations, a testament to their creativity and their commitment to family. Each year, they refine their recipe, learning from past experiences and making it their own, just as they’ve done with their marriage and their blended family.
The timpano tradition also underscores the couple’s ability to find joy in the unexpected. In a world where holiday traditions often follow a predictable script, Stefani and Shelton have chosen to forge their own path, creating a ritual that’s as unique as they are. Their story is a reminder that traditions don’t have to be conventional to be meaningful—they just have to reflect the values and love of the people who share them.
For fans, the image of Stefani and Shelton gathered around the table with their timpano dome, surrounded by their children and filled with holiday spirit, is a heartwarming one. It’s a tradition that speaks to their authenticity, their love for each other, and their dedication to creating memories that will last a lifetime. As they continue to navigate their high-profile careers and their life in Oklahoma, the timpano remains a delicious and surprising symbol of their enduring partnership—one that will no doubt be a part of their Christmas celebrations for years to come.
