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Experience Making Pasta in the Heart of Ancient Rome

When I first set foot in Rome, I had a list of must-do activities ready: visiting the Colosseum and shouting, “Are you not entertained?!” tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, and the experience I was most excited about: joining a pasta-making class. I ticked off the first two in the initial two days, but I saved the pasta class for my last day, a perfect way to wrap up my two-month journey of delightful culinary experiences across Italy and Europe. What made this class extra special was that it took place in Trastevere, a charming and vibrant neighborhood in Rome.

Culinary Experiences in Rome

Exploring Roman cuisine wouldn’t be complete without engaging in activities like an evening food tour in Trastevere, a pasta-making class, and a street food tour in Testaccio. I opted for the pasta-making class offered by Eating Europe, a renowned culinary travel company known for its colorful experiences in major European cities like Rome, Paris, and Lisbon.

What Makes Trastevere Special?

Trastevere, located on the west bank of the Tiber River, is one of the neighborhoods that encapsulates Rome's unique cultural and historical essence. Established long ago, it has been home to immigrant communities and artisans, developing into an area with its own identity. In Trastevere, you’ll find narrow cobblestone streets, cozy trattorias, bars, boutique shops, and cafés—all creating a perfect atmosphere to wander and soak in the ancient ambiance of Rome.

Pasta-Making Class in Trastevere

Upon arriving at the class (eating-europe-class), you're greeted with an enticing message: “All the pasta and wine you want.” If that doesn’t pique your interest, you might just be allergic to pasta or wine! The class lasts about three hours and is held from Monday to Saturday at 10 AM and 4:30 PM. If possible, I recommend the afternoon session so you can stroll through Trastevere at night after your class.

Before the class began, Davide, our instructor, took us to a butcher and cheese shop that has been around since 1924 in Trastevere. Here, we not only gathered ingredients for our class but also got to sample the famous porchetta. Porchetta is a rolled pork dish seasoned with aromatic herbs like rosemary and garlic, slowly roasted for eight hours to achieve a crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat. In addition to porchetta, we also tried two other renowned cheeses: Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano. Honestly, tasting them in Italy felt like experiencing them for the first time; they were completely different from any cheese I had had before.

An Engaging Pasta-Making Experience

After gathering all the ingredients, we headed to a restaurant in Trastevere to kick off the class. Everyone was equipped with cutting boards, metal bowls, rolling pins, and aprons from Eating Europe. The class wasn’t just about making pasta; it was also a wonderful opportunity for Davide to share heartwarming stories about his beloved Italian grandmother, who taught him how to make pasta when he was just seven years old.

I was thrilled to keep the apron as a memento. Throughout the class, we attempted to make two different types of pasta and enjoyed a little feast accompanied by local wine. It was a truly authentic Italian experience that I believe anyone visiting Rome should try!

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