A popular legend claims that Marco Polo introduced pasta to Italy after his explorations of the Far East. However, there is evidence of pasta all the way back to the 4th century B. C. Pasta has steadfastly maintained its status as a cultural symbol in Italy and a source of great pride, representing family traditions and culinary heritage. From north to south, the choices of shapes and ingredients are endless and equally delizioso.

The best pasta dishes in Italy

Every region in Italy has a unique culinary tradition, and pasta is at the centre of this gastronomic richness. From pasta alla Norma in Sicily to orecchiette in Puglia, explore the most typical pasta dishes of the different Italian regions and find out where to enjoy them in their original context.

Spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino

Popular throughout Italy, this dish is said to originate in the Abruzzo region and is simplicity itself. Sautéed minced garlic in olive oil, with dried chili and tossed in freshly cooked pasta. Often this is the first dish that young Italians learn to make and it’s easy to see why, simple yet delicious.

 Pasta al Tonno

A classic from the coast of Calabria, this simple yet sumptuous dish is perfect to a quick supper or a nice lunch. Salty capers are added to tuna, along with spicy Calabrian chili peppers, mixed with spaghetti.

Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe

An authentic Roman dish that is simple and tasty, ‘cheese and pepper’ pasta is just as the name suggests, a mixture of pasta, pecorino cheese, and black pepper. Cook the pasta al dente and reserve a little of the cooking water to create a creamier sauce.

Lasagne alla Bolognese

A family favourite in the region of Emilia-Romagna, and the rest of the world, this northern Italian pasta dish is made with egg pasta, delicious creamy bechamel sauce and a rich meaty ragù.

Pasta alla Norma

A typical dish from Catania in Sicily, pasta alla Norma is a tasty dish comprised of aubergine, ripe tomatoes, ricotta salata, garlic, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Combine this sauce with your favourite pasta and serve.

Ragù Napoletano

This dish, consisting of a rich, creamy meat sauce, is a real labour of love, as many Napolitans will cook this overnight, getting up every few hours to stir to get the sauce exactly right. Various meats such as pork ribs, and prosciutto are combined with tomatoes, wine, onions, and garlic for a sumptuous Italian pasta dish.

Orecchiette con le cime di rapa

This is an extremely popular southern pasta dish originating in Puglia. Orecchiette or ‘little ears’ is a type of pasta and often served with a fresh green sauce made from Rapini, garlic, anchovies, olive oil, pecorino, and breadcrumbs.

Vermicelli alla puttanesca

A true ‘less is more’ dish, the simplicity of this sauce is what makes it so special. Consisting of tomatoes, olives, capers, olive oil and oregano, this classic is a favourite for a quick, easy, and delicious supper.

Ravioli di ricotta e spinaci al burro e salvia

The earliest mentions of ravioli are from the 14th century in Venice and Tuscany and has been a popular Italian pasta dish ever since. Stuffed with spinach, ricotta, Parmigiano Reggiano, and egg in a simple sauce of melted butter and slightly crisped sage leaves.

Trofie al pesto

A typical Ligurian dish that is light and herby. A classic pesto a la Genovese is added to, preferably fresh and al dente trofie pasta with a little of the cooking water for a silky, smooth dish. One of the best Italian pasta recipes and certainly one of the easiest.

Shopping at Fiumicino airport

During your journey to discovering any of these Italian pasta dishes your departure from area E of Rome Fiumicino airport can turn into a moment of pleasure: the Personal Shopper service offers you a personalised shopping experience, perfect for completing your itinerary with class. Alternatively, if you would like to recreate some of the best Italian pasta recipes in the Bel Paese then Shop&Fly has you covered, with a wide selection of high quality ingredients to choose from. The Shop&Fly service allows you to combine the pleasure of shopping with the convenience of collecting everything on departure. In addition, you can take advantage of a 10% discount on your online purchases, which cannot be combined with other offers. Because every detail of your trip counts.

Pasta in Italy is more than just food, it’s a symbol of national pride, bringing together family and friends over the dinner table for generations. The key to the recipes is the love and passion put into making each sauce such as the over- night ragù or the pure simplicity of Spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino.

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