Masterclass: Aperol Spritz & Pasta Making Experience in Rome

A cocktail lesson and a hands-on pasta class make an appealing Roman double feature. In three hours, you’ll prepare an Aperol Spritz, then make fettuccine and maltagliati from scratch with local chefs.

I like that you don’t just watch someone cook: you make two pasta shapes and eat them with two different sauces. I also like the finish, with tiramisu and a choice of wine or a non-alcoholic drink, then Limoncello or coffee.

One thing to weigh: this is a food-focused class, not a broad introduction to Roman cooking. You’ll learn the listed dishes, but the class details don’t specify group size, recipes to take home, or how much instruction each person gets.

At a glance

• Two pasta shapes: Make fettuccine and maltagliati from scratch with help from local chefs.
• A Spritz to start: Learn to prepare the classic Aperol cocktail, served as your welcome drink.
• Two sauces at the table: Your pasta is served with basil pesto and sugo al pomodoro.
• A full meal is included: Expect bruschetta, pasta, tiramisu, water, and a choice of wine or a non-alcoholic drink.
• A central Rome meeting point: Start and finish at Restaurant Gusto, Via Giuseppe Zanardelli 14, near Piazza Navona.

A three-hour cooking break near Piazza Navona

This class gives you a change of pace from Rome’s churches, piazzas, and crowded pavements. You spend three hours making a cocktail and fresh pasta, then sit down to eat what you’ve prepared. That makes the experience more than a quick demonstration, while keeping the subject focused and practical.

The meeting point is Restaurant Gusto at Via Giuseppe Zanardelli 14, a short walk from Piazza Navona. That location is convenient if you are already exploring the historic center, and easy to work into a day on foot. The activity ends back at the same address, so you don’t need to plan a transfer afterward.

Check the available starting times before you book. The class lasts three hours, but no fixed daily schedule is provided. That makes it worth choosing a time that leaves room for your other plans, rather than trying to squeeze it between timed museum visits.

First, the Aperol Spritz

You begin with the classic Italian Spritz, and the welcome drink is included. The class is meant to teach you how to make one, not simply hand you a glass before the cooking starts. If you enjoy the drink, you’ll get a practical skill to try again after your trip.

The information provided doesn’t specify the exact recipe, proportions, or whether the lesson covers variations. So think of this as a focused introduction to preparing a true Aperol Spritz, rather than a full cocktail course. The drink also sets a relaxed tone for a class that pairs cooking with a shared meal.

A Spritz is a useful choice for a food class because it gives you something to enjoy while you get started. If you don’t drink alcohol, the final meal includes a non-alcoholic beverage option, though the welcome drink is described as a Spritz.

Making fettuccine and maltagliati from scratch

The main hands-on work is fresh pasta. With help from local chefs, you’ll prepare fettuccine and maltagliati, two shapes with different looks and uses. Fettuccine forms long ribbons, while maltagliati is commonly understood as irregular pieces of pasta; the class description confirms the shapes, but doesn’t spell out the exact cutting method.

Making two types is a useful detail. You’re not spending the full session repeating one task, and you get to see how fresh pasta can take more than one form. The chefs provide help, though the precise amount of demonstration and individual practice is not stated.

Don’t expect the details of a professional pasta workshop to be spelled out in advance. The class information doesn’t say which ingredients are used, what tools you’ll handle, or whether you’ll receive written recipes. If you want to learn every technical step in depth, ask the provider before booking. If you mainly want a friendly, participatory introduction, the format sounds well suited to that.

The instruction is in English, which makes it easier to follow explanations and ask questions as you work. No chef names are provided, so you can expect to cook with local chefs but can’t request a particular instructor based on the information available.

Two sauces turn the lesson into lunch

Your pasta is served with two sauces: basil pesto with maltagliati and sugo al pomodoro with fettuccine. That pairing gives the meal a clear structure and lets you taste the pasta in two different preparations, rather than having to choose only one dish.

The meal begins with bruschetta, toasted bread topped with tomatoes, basil, and oregano. It’s a simple, familiar Italian starter, and a pleasant way to begin eating after the cooking. Water is also included, so you’re not left to arrange the basics separately.

After the pasta, tiramisu is the dessert. You also get a glass of wine or a non-alcoholic beverage, followed by a glass of Limoncello or coffee. These are choices within the included meal, not a promise of unlimited drinks. Any additional food or beverages are extra, and tips are not included.

What the price covers

At $85.41 per person, the price covers a three-hour class, the Spritz welcome drink, hands-on pasta making, and a multi-course meal with drinks. You’re paying for both the activity and the food, which is important when comparing the cost with a cooking lesson that charges separately for the meal or drinks.

The value depends on what you want from your time in Rome. If you’d happily pay for a central dinner and also want a guided cooking activity, the combination is convenient: you learn, eat the results, and finish with dessert and a drink. If you’re seeking a low-cost meal or a highly specialized culinary course, this may not be the best fit.

The menu is specific, which helps set expectations. You’ll get bruschetta, two pasta dishes, tiramisu, and the stated drinks, but additional items are not included. There is no information about substitutions or dietary accommodations, so contact the provider if you have allergies or need a particular menu adjustment.

Who will enjoy this class most

I’d recommend it to food and cocktail lovers who want a social activity with a tangible result. You’ll make the pasta yourself, then eat it as part of a meal, rather than leaving with only a demonstration to remember. It also suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who are comfortable joining a cooking class.

It’s a good option if you want an activity close to central Rome and prefer a set experience with food included. The English-language instruction and wheelchair accessibility are helpful practical points, though you should confirm any specific access needs directly with the provider.

Families may also find the activity appealing, but no minimum age or child-specific details are supplied. If you’re booking with children, check whether the class suits their ages and whether they can take part in the pasta preparation.

This is less suitable if you want a deep survey of Roman cuisine, a long list of recipes, or a class centered on pasta alone. The experience covers one cocktail and two pasta types, then serves the dishes with set sauces. Its charm is the compact combination of making, eating, and drinking, not a broad cooking syllabus.

A few practical details before you book

The class lasts three hours, and the available start times vary. It begins and ends at Restaurant Gusto, Via Giuseppe Zanardelli 14. Since the address is near Piazza Navona, it’s straightforward to plan around the historic center, but check your chosen time before arranging the rest of your day.

Instruction is in English, and the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The listed provider is Master pasta makers srl. No group size is given, so you can’t tell in advance how much one-on-one time the chefs can offer.

You can reserve without paying immediately, and the activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms give you some flexibility if your Rome plans are still taking shape. Remember that gratuities and any extra food or drinks are not part of the price.

Should you book it?

Book this class if you want to make fresh pasta, learn a classic Spritz, and turn the lesson into a proper meal near Piazza Navona. The combination of fettuccine, maltagliati, two sauces, tiramisu, and drinks makes the three-hour session feel like an outing, not just a short kitchen demonstration. The available rating is 4.9 from seven reviews, and the strongest praise is for the chef leading the activity.

Skip it if your priority is a detailed course in regional Italian cooking or if you need a confirmed recipe, group size, or dietary plan before committing. For a lively, central food experience with a clear menu and hands-on cooking, it’s a well-rounded choice.

FAQ

How long does the class last?

The experience lasts three hours.

Where does the class meet?

Meet at Restaurant Gusto, Via Giuseppe Zanardelli 14, near Piazza Navona. The activity ends at the same point.

What will I make?

You’ll prepare an Aperol Spritz, fresh fettuccine, and maltagliati with help from local chefs.

What food and drinks are included?

The included items are bruschetta, maltagliati with basil pesto, fettuccine with sugo al pomodoro, tiramisu, water, a glass of wine or a non-alcoholic beverage, and a glass of Limoncello or coffee. A welcome Spritz is also included.

Is the class taught in English?

Yes. The instructor language is English.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.