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Pasta and Gelato Making Class in Rome Review: Is This Experience Worth It?
- Alyssa
- Mar 1, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 19, 2025
On our recent trip to Rome, we wanted to do more than just eat pasta, we wanted to learn how to make it ourselves. After searching for a pasta and gelato making class in Rome, we came across Holy Pizza’s Super Fun Pasta and Gelato Cooking Class, located close to the Vatican and highly rated by past guests. When we saw an opening for their evening class, we booked it right away to see if it lived up to the hype.
We paid $204 total for two people ($102 per person). The price included all ingredients and tools needed to make fresh pasta and gelato, along with wine, beer, limoncello, water, and soda during the class. The experience also started with fresh antipasto prepared by the chef, which set the tone for a relaxed, hands-on cooking experience in the heart of Rome.
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Where the Pasta and Gelato Making Class Is Located in Rome
The pasta and gelato making class is located between St. Peter’s Basilica and Castel Sant’Angelo, making it an easy walk if you’re sightseeing near the Vatican. The meeting point was clearly communicated ahead of time, and we didn’t have any trouble finding it.
We arrived about 10–15 minutes early, which we’d recommend, as other guests had already arrived to pick their seats and get settled. If you’re worried about getting lost, don’t be, there was a staff member waiting outside the building actively flagging down guests who looked confused (which definitely helped us!).
Our Experience Making Pasta and Gelato in Rome
Group Introductions & Class Overview
The class started with some basic introductions between everyone in the group, names, where we were from, and a bit of small talk to break the ice. The chef then gave a brief overview of what we would be making that evening and explained the overall flow of the class. He did a great job helping everyone loosen up and feel comfortable, even those who were clearly a little nervous about cooking.
Making Gelato: A Kid-Friendly Start
We kicked things off by preparing the ingredients for the gelato. Some of the children in the group volunteered to help blend the strawberries while the chef explained what went into the gelato base. The gelato-making portion itself was fairly hands-off for adults, which we were initially a little disappointed by. However, once we saw the process, it made sense. There wasn’t much room for extra hands, as the chef was carefully heating and mixing ingredients before transferring everything into the gelato machine.
Making Fresh Pasta Dough from Scratch
After the gelato was underway, we moved on to making pasta dough. Everyone had their own workspace and ingredients, and the chef walked us through the process step by step. He explained the differences between various types of pasta dough, egg-based, potato-based, and more, before we made a simple egg dough using just two ingredients: flour and eggs. Everyone got hands-on time kneading their dough, shaping it, and prepping it to rest. The chef then helped us wrap our dough balls and set them aside while we moved on to the next part of the experience.
Antipasto, Wine & a Relaxed Cooking Atmosphere
While the dough rested, the chef prepared antipasto for the group, keeping the mood light with witty banter and conversation. We were served toasted bruschetta, cheese, cured meats, and an incredibly tasty balsamic glaze for those who wanted it. Everything tasted fresh, and the chef explained where the ingredients came from and what made them special. Drinks flowed freely throughout the class, and he made sure to ask about allergies or food preferences so everyone could enjoy the experience.
Preparing the Pasta Sauce Together
Once we finished the antipasto, the chef asked for volunteers to help prep the sauce. We were tasked with mincing garlic and onion, and even though our knife skills weren’t perfect, the group was very encouraging. This is definitely a class where you don’t need to be an experienced cook to feel comfortable participating. The children helped mash tomatoes by hand after washing up, which added another fun, interactive element. Once everything was prepped, the chef took over and began cooking the sauce.
Rolling, Cutting & Cooking the Pasta
As the sauce cooked down, the chef demonstrated how to roll out and cut the pasta dough into fettuccine. We rolled and sliced our dough before it was added to a pot of boiling water and cooked. One small downside was that all the pasta was cooked together, so we weren’t entirely sure if we ate our own noodles. Still, given the timing and group size, this approach made sense and kept the class moving smoothly.
Sitting Down to Eat (and Gelato to Finish)
When it was time to eat, the chef plated the pasta beautifully, it honestly looked like it came from a professional kitchen rather than a group cooking class. The pasta was topped with cheese and thinly sliced dried peppers for a bit of heat, and it tasted just as good as it looked. The chef encouraged seconds and made sure no one left hungry. Just as we finished eating, the gelato was ready at the perfect moment. Enjoying homemade gelato and sipping limoncello felt like the ideal way to end the evening. We never felt rushed, which we really appreciated. Before leaving, the chef shared links to all the recipes we made, pasta dough, sauce, and gelato, which was a great takeaway. We even recreated the pasta and sauce once we got home to show friends what we learned.
Know Before You Go: Pasta and Gelato Making Class in Rome
This is a hands-on cooking class, but you don’t need any prior cooking experience. The chef walks everyone through each step and keeps the atmosphere relaxed and fun.
The class is very family-friendly. Children were encouraged to help with age-appropriate tasks like blending fruit and mashing tomatoes, making it a great option for families traveling with kids.
Expect to stand for most of the class. There are moments to sit and eat, but much of the cooking portion is done standing at your workstation.
Arrive 10–15 minutes early. Guests who arrived early were able to pick seats and get settled before the class began.
Wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind cooking in. Things can get a little messy, especially during the pasta-making portion.
No need to bring anything special. All ingredients, tools, drinks, and recipes are provided, and the chef shares digital copies of the recipes at the end of the class.
Is the Pasta and Gelato Making Class in Rome Worth It?
Overall, we had a great experience with HolyPizza’s pasta and gelato cooking class near the Vatican. The evening felt like sitting at a chef’s table, except you actually get to help cook the meal. The atmosphere was relaxed, the chef was engaging, and the food we made together turned out far better than we expected.
While there were a few moments where we wished the class had been slightly more hands-on, particularly during the gelato-making and pasta sauce portions, we understood why it was structured this way given the group size and time constraints. Even so, the experience was fun, interactive, and ended with a genuinely delicious meal.
At $204 total for two people ($102 per person), this class delivered a full evening of entertainment, instruction, food, and drinks in a central Rome location. If you’re looking for a memorable cooking experience that combines fresh pasta, homemade gelato, and a friendly, welcoming environment, especially if you’re traveling with family, this class is well worth considering.
Would you book a pasta and gelato making class while visiting Rome, or have you already tried one? Let us know in the comments below!
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