A Love Letter to Pasta

There’s something about a bowl of pasta that feels like home to me.

Maybe it’s the warmth of it. Maybe it’s the way it brings people together around a table. Or maybe it’s simply how a handful of ingredients can become something special.

Pasta has always been one of those foods I keep returning to.

Whether it’s been a good day, a difficult one, or simply a day when I need a little extra comfort, pasta has always been there.

The Comfort of Something Simple

One of the things I love most about pasta is how versatile it is.

There are so many different pasta shapes, flavors, and colors. There are endless sauces you can create to go with it. From a simple garlic and olive oil sauce to a slow-cooked marinara that has been simmering for hours, pasta has a way of becoming whatever you need it to be.

Personally, I’ve never made pasta from scratch, but while I’m in Italy, I’m going to take a pasta-making course—something I’ve always wanted to do, especially in the place where this beautiful tradition began.

My best friend and I are actually going to Europe because one of our friends is getting married in Romania. After the wedding, we’re heading straight to my favorite place on earth—Italy.

We’ll be spending two weeks staying in the beautiful town of Panicale, renting a car, and exploring the surrounding countryside. We’ll also spend time in Rome and take a day trip to Pompeii and Positano.

I’ve always dreamed of seeing the Amalfi Coast, and I honestly can’t wait. Between finally taking a pasta-making class, wandering through little Italian towns, and eating more pasta than I probably should, I have a feeling it’s going to be a trip I’ll never forget.

But honestly, I’ve never had a problem with a good boxed, imported Italian pasta either.

There is something comforting about opening your pantry and seeing a box of pasta waiting to become a meal.

Of course, whenever you do get the chance to have the real thing—the freshly made kind—you notice the difference immediately.

There’s a certain texture, tenderness, and care that comes through.

But overall, that’s what I love about pasta.

It’s simple.

All it takes is a beautiful sauce, fresh ingredients, a little cheese, a little seasoning, and voilà—a dish made with care.

A Taste of Family

Maybe it’s because I’m part Italian, but pasta is the definition of childhood memories for me.

When I think of pasta, I think of my grandparents and the generations of family members who came before me.

I think about going to my aunt’s or cousins’ houses for family gatherings, where there was always a big pot of homemade marinara sauce waiting to feed all of us.

Food was never just food in my family.

It was how we gathered.

It was how we celebrated.

It was how we showed love.

My great-grandparents came to America from Calabria, Italy—a place known for its beautiful landscapes, agricultural traditions, and incredible food culture.

My great-grandparents worked in the food industry, and the generations that followed continued working in the business, so food has always been an important part of my family’s story.

My great-grandparents had eleven children.

They lived in Tacoma, Washington, in one small house that I actually recently had the chance to see. Standing there, I was in awe thinking about how they fit their entire family under one roof.

Then I found out there were even more family members living there—my great-great-grandparents included.

That is a lot of people in one home.

But somehow, they made it work.

And pasta was part of how they fed everyone.

It was affordable, easy to make, and filling enough to feed all those hungry bellies.

Night after night, a simple bowl of pasta helped bring everyone together around the table.

And I think that’s why pasta holds such a special place in my heart.

When I think of pasta, I don’t just think about noodles and sauce.

I think about family.

I think about the memories I was lucky enough to have.

Pasta has been there through celebrations and difficult moments. It has been there during happy occasions and sad ones.

It has always been there through thick and thin.

A Meal That Reminded Me to Slow Down

Even as I’ve gotten older, pasta has continued to create new memories for me.

Recently, I visited Eataly Los Angeles, a little haven for me. It feels like stepping into Italy.

The smell of fresh bread.

The beautiful displays of fresh pasta, cured meats, and cheese.

The shelves filled with ingredients I could spend hours looking through.

There was something special about being surrounded by food that carried so much history and tradition.

During my visit, I had dinner at Terra, where I ordered their Tagliatella Agli Asparagi.

The dish featured homemade tagliatelle, asparagus, Granarolo Pecorino Romano DOP, Urbani black truffle, and egg yolk caviar—which I chose to omit.

From the first bite, I understood why certain meals stay with us.

It wasn’t just pasta.

It was an experience.

The delicate ribbons of fresh pasta.

The earthy flavor of black truffle.

The salty richness of Pecorino Romano.

The freshness of asparagus.

Every ingredient had a purpose.

I had eaten at Terra a few years back, and it was memorable enough that I knew I wanted to return.

The atmosphere is beautiful. It’s a rooftop restaurant overlooking the popular Century City area, adorned with twinkle lights and comfortable cottage-like chairs that make it such a relaxing experience.

There’s a beautiful bar right in the middle of the restaurant, and an open-fire grill as soon as you walk in where you can watch delicious meats being grilled to perfection.

The ambiance really makes you feel like you’re in a little Italian escape.

One thing I appreciate about Terra is the smaller menu. Having fewer options actually helps me decide, especially because large menus can sometimes feel overwhelming.

But I already knew what I wanted to order.

A meal I had enjoyed there before.

The Tagliatella Agli Asparagi.

It was rich, warm, and full of flavor. It hit every spot of comfort I was looking for.

Pasta has always had a way of lighting me up, especially when it’s freshly made.

I remember sitting there with a smile on my face, simply enjoying the experience.

And that’s the beautiful thing about food.

It continues to create new memories while carrying the old ones with us.

Recipe: Parmesan Garlic Cream Pasta with Asparagus & Truffle

Inspired by the Tagliatella Agli Asparagi I enjoyed at Terra, this recipe captures some of the flavors that made that dish so memorable to me: fresh pasta, creamy cheese, earthy truffle, and crisp asparagus.

While this is my own interpretation of the dish, I wanted to create something that brings that same feeling into my own kitchen. Since fresh truffles aren’t something most of us keep on hand, I’ve used black truffle oil to bring that same rich, earthy flavor to this simple homemade version.

And while I love tagliatelle for this recipe, don’t feel like you have to use it. Fettuccine, pappardelle, linguine, or even your favorite pasta shape will work beautifully. The best pasta is the one you enjoy most.

A Note From My Kitchen

The beauty of pasta is that it reminds us some things are meant to be enjoyed slowly.

The process of cooking.

The smell of garlic filling the air.

The first bite of a meal made with love and care.

The moment when you finally sit down and enjoy something just because.

Food connects us to places.

To people.

To memories.

Maybe that’s why pasta will always have a special place in my heart.

Because a bowl of pasta is never just a bowl of pasta.

It’s comfort.

It’s connection.

It’s family.

And it’s a memory waiting to be made.

What food feels like home to you?

“Life is a combination of magic and pasta.”— Federico Fellini

Listen to the podcast episode here: