fresh pasta Archives - Taste With The Eyes

Fettuccine alla Papalina Inspired by Mother Wolf Las Vegas

Fettuccine alla Papalina
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Inspired by Mother Wolf Las Vegas

An exceptional dinner at Mother Wolf at Fontainebleau Las Vegas inspired this recreation of one of the evening’s most memorable dishes: Fettuccine alla Papalina. While every course was beautifully prepared—from the crisp, golden Fiori di Zucca (batter-fried squash blossoms filled with ricotta) to the spectacular Branzino alla Brace (whole wood-grilled Mediterranean sea bass)—it was the seemingly simple pasta that stole the show.

Mother Wolf’s Fettuccine alla Papalina combines prosciutto cotto, melted butter, English peas, and Parmigiano Reggiano in a dish that proves how a handful of carefully chosen ingredients can create something truly unforgettable. Inspired by that memorable plate, I recreated my own version at home.

My recipe follows, along with photographs from our evening at Mother Wolf, including the beautiful dining room and several of our favorite dishes.

Mother Wolf Mural

Fettuccine alla Papalina is a classic Roman pasta. According to culinary tradition, the dish was created in Rome in the 1930s at a restaurant near the Vatican for Pope Pius XII, who requested a lighter, more refined version of the beloved Roman pasta dishes of the time.

Inspired by carbonara, the original preparation replaced guanciale with prosciutto and used butter, eggs, and Parmigiano Reggiano to create a silky, delicate sauce. Over time, variations have emerged, with some chefs adding ingredients such as peas or onion, but the essence of Fettuccine alla Papalina remains the same: a simple yet elegant Roman pasta built around exceptional ingredients.

Fettuccine alla Papalina Recipe

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Fresh Fettuccine with Stracciatella, Blistered Tomatoes, and Basil

Fresh Fettuccine with Stracciatella
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Blistered Tomatoes, Basil, Toasted Breadcrumbs

Sweet blistered tomatoes, whole basil leaves, savory anchovies, bright lemon, and creamy stracciatella come together in a pasta that feels both rustic and refined. A layer of stracciatella beneath the fresh pasta and a generous dollop on top create a luxurious contrast to the warm fettuccine, while crispy breadcrumbs add texture and crunch.

Fresh Fettuccine with Stracciatella, Blistered Tomatoes, and Basil

Fresh Fettuccine with Stracciatella Recipe

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Shrimp Roe Pappardelle

Alaska Side-Striped Shrimp Roe Pappardelle
Breadcrumbs, Lemon, Garlic, Creme Fraiche

Side-striped shrimp (Pandalopsis dispar) are deep-water shrimp found in the cold Pacific waters off Alaska. They’re known for their sweet, delicate flavor and soft, tender texture. I recently used this shrimp in my recipe for Shrimp de Jonghe but saved the roe for another dish.

What sets them apart visually are the pale stripes running down their sides, and what makes them prized by chefs and seafood lovers is the orange roe carried by females.

The roe is small, firm, and clean-tasting—briny without being overpowering. It can be eaten raw, stirred into warm dishes, or used as a garnish. It brings a mild ocean salinity and a slight pop, making it a rare and understated delicacy.

Here, I pair the roe with warm pasta, letting its natural salinity and texture do the work. A simple base of butter and olive oil, garlic, and lemon is enough to carry it. The roe softens slightly as it hits the noodles, blending into the sauce while generous spoonfuls on top keep their delicate pop.

The flavor of the sea is tucked into every bite where the roe is the star… ⭐️ 🍤

Shrimp Roe Pappardelle Recipe

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Pasta with Scallops, Lobster, Asparagus, Sage Truffle Butter

Restaurant Style
Pasta with Scallops, Lobster
Asparagus, Sage Truffle Butter

A most memorable meal at Ferraro’s inspired me to recreate one of their many fabulous menu items: the Pappardelle Mimmo. This seafood pasta, a favorite of the chef, was simply outstanding. We shared all our dishes at dinner and agreed that the pappardelle is now one of our favorites too.

Established in 1985, Ferraro’s Ristorante is located near the Las Vegas Strip. It is a family-owned business that prides itself on offering authentic Italian cuisine with a focus on traditional methods and recipes, high-quality seasonal ingredients, and homemade “everything” including sausage, meatballs, pastas, breads, desserts and more.

The restaurant is especially noted for its warm inviting atmosphere, superb service, and extensive wine list that features a wide selection of Italian and international wines. It’s no wonder that Ferraro’s has garnered a loyal following among Las Vegas locals and visitors alike…and that Gambero Rosso recently recognized them as one of the top Italian restaurants in the world.

Pasta with Scallops, Lobster, Asparagus, Sage Truffle Butter — Taste With The Eyes re-creation of Pappardelle Mimmo

Ferraro’s Ristorante Las Vegas

Ferraro's Antipasti — Ferraro’s Antipasti

Burrata con Zucchine
Burrata with grilled zucchini and herb oil

Carne Battuta
Prime beef tartare, Reggiano truffle reduction, black truffle crostini, hazelnuts

Vitello Tonnato – “A Must!”
Thinly sliced roasted veal, tuna sauce, caper berries, capers, lemon

Ferraro's Pasta, Pesce, Secondi — Ferraro’s Pasta, Pesce, Secondi

Pappardelle Mimmo
Long wide Pasta with scallops, lobster, asparagus, butter, sage, truffle

Lasagna alla Gino
Bolognese sauce, Béchamel sauce, ricotta cheese

Osso Buco – “House Specialty”
Veal shank in red wine reduction served with saffron risotto

Sogliola ai Capperi
Oven roasted Holland Dover Sole, lemon, butter, white wine, capers, deboned table side with roasted potato, grilled asparagus

Ferraro's Sogliola ai Capperi — Ferraro’s Sogliola ai Capperi

Ferraro's Pappardelle Mimmo — Ferraro’s Pappardelle Mimmo

Ferraro's Dessert — Ferraro’s Dessert and Happy Birthday Stone!

Passione Pistachio
Layered Pistachio cream, cream cheese custard, atop a rich walnut crust

How to Make Pasta with Scallops, Lobster,
Asparagus, and Sage Truffle Butter

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Truffled Mushroom Pappardelle

This mouthwatering Truffled Mushroom Pappardelle is a delightful pasta dish that features wide, flat, fresh pappardelle noodles paired with a savory-creamy-herby mushroom sauce where a drizzle of white truffle oil enhances the earthy mushroom flavors.

We are fortunate that our local Las Vegas Italian restaurant sells fresh house-made pasta to go, including pappardelle, fettuccine, spaghetti alla chitarra, and gnocchi. I am more than happy to promote Prosecco in Las Vegas for their imported cheeses including Burrata di Puglia and excellent fresh pasta.

Mushroom Pappardelle Recipe

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Fettuccine alla Papalina 👵 🐺 Inspired by Mother Wolf Las Vegas