La Cucina Eterna: 24 Recipes That Define the Heart of Roman Cooking

From carbonara and cacio e pepe to crispy fried artichokes, explore 24 essential recipes that define the timeless culinary landscape of Rome.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 11:24 AM EDT

Source: https://www.foodandwine.com/

The Big Four: Rome’s Iconic Pastas

At the center of Roman cuisine are four pasta dishes that share a common lineage of pork, cheese, and pepper. Mastering these is the first step for any aspiring Italophile chef:

Cacio e Pepe: The ultimate pantry pasta. This "cheese and pepper" dish relies on starchy pasta water to emulsify Pecorino Romano into a glossy, creamy sauce.

Pasta alla Gricia: Essentially a cacio e pepe with the addition of rendered guanciale (cured pork jowl). It is savory, salty, and incredibly rich.

Rigatoni all’Amatriciana: Taking the foundation of Gricia and adding crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes, this dish hails from the town of Amatrice but has become a Roman staple.

Spaghetti alla Carbonara: The most famous of the quartet, using egg yolks and cheese to create a velvety coating for the pasta. Authentic versions avoid cream, relying on technique to prevent the eggs from scrambling.