Rome: Pasta & Gelato Cooking Class in City Center

Summary

Learn pasta by hand in Rome then taste homemade gelato

You’ll roll up your sleeves in central Rome to make pasta from scratch with locals who keep it lighthearted. Taste your own creations over wine, watch real gelato being made, and leave with recipes (and maybe flour on your shirt). It’s casual, hands-on fun — not just another cooking class.

What’s the experience like?

“Don’t worry if your dough looks funny — even my nonna’s first batch was a disaster,” our chef Marco grinned, flour on his cheek. That set the tone right away. We were in this cozy kitchen just a few blocks from Piazza Navona, sleeves rolled up, surrounded by the soft clatter of bowls and the smell of eggs and semolina. I’d never actually touched fresh pasta dough before — it’s stickier than I thought, warm from my hands. Marco kept circling the table, giving little tips (“more pressure!”), but also telling stories about his childhood Sundays. I tried repeating one of the Italian words he said for “pinch” and everyone laughed (me included). It felt like dinner at a friend’s place more than a class.

We made ravioli first — filling them with this herby ricotta that smelled so fresh it almost reminded me of spring. Then tagliatelle, which is trickier to cut straight than you’d think (my strips looked like shoelaces). The best bit? We all sat down together after, pouring ourselves wine (unlimited, apparently — dangerous) and tasting what we’d made. There was this moment when the light hit the plates just right, and honestly, I still think about that view sometimes. The gelato part was more of a demo — Marco showed us how to get that creamy texture without fancy machines. Vanilla or chocolate — I went for chocolate, obviously.

I left with sauce on my shirt and a digital recipe booklet in my inbox (plus some sort of “graduation certificate” that made me laugh). If you’re vegetarian they’ll sort you out — one woman in our group didn’t eat meat and got her own filling without any fuss. Kids were there too, rolling dough with serious faces; nobody seemed out of place. The whole thing ran about three hours but didn’t feel rushed or too slow. I walked back through Rome as dusk settled in, smelling like basil and feeling oddly proud of my lumpy ravioli.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hands-on Italian cooking class

• Join professional chefs in Rome
• Learn to make egg pasta dough
• Prepare two types of pasta
• Watch gelato making demonstration
• Enjoy tasting your dishes with wine
• Receive digital recipe booklet
• Get Graduation Certificate

Top questions

How long does the Rome pasta & gelato cooking class last?

The class lasts about three hours from start to finish.

Is this pasta making class suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, vegetarian-friendly options are available if you let them know in advance.

Do I get to eat what I cook during the class?

Yes, you’ll enjoy a meal featuring the pasta you’ve made plus gelato at the end.

Are drinks included in the Rome cooking class?

Unlimited wine is included for adults; soft drinks are provided for children.

Will I learn how to make gelato myself?

You’ll watch a chef demonstrate gelato making rather than make it yourself.

Is there a digital recipe booklet included?

Yes, you’ll receive access to a digital recipe booklet after the class.

Can children join this cooking class?

Yes, kids are welcome as long as they’re accompanied by an adult.

Where is the cooking class located in Rome?

The class takes place in central Rome near Piazza Navona.

What’s included

Your experience includes hands-on pasta making from scratch with all tools and aprons provided; a chef-led demonstration on crafting real Italian gelato; unlimited wine for adults and soft drinks for kids; a relaxed meal where you eat what you’ve cooked; plus access to a digital recipe booklet and even a playful graduation certificate before heading back into Rome’s lively streets.