Nonna's Recipes: Veronica De Laurentiis' Love For Pizza Di Spaghetti

27 April 2023

by Giadzy

Photo Credit: Lauren Volo

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This recipe is a family favorite that has been passed down from generation to generation in the De Laurentiis family.

One of the strongest connections we can forge through food is making and sharing recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation - and that's what this recipe series is all about! In Giada's case, many of her most famed dishes started off as beloved family recipes. Such is the case for her mom Veronica's very favorite recipe: pizza di spaghetti, a simple and delicious Neapolitan dish.

Veronica as a young girl!

What makes this recipe special is the connection it holds with Veronica's entire family. She fondly remembers having it all the time on picnics as a kid, and her parents making it for her all the time. Through this recipe, Veronica's family traditions and love for food were passed down - it was Giada's favorite as a kid, and now it's Jade's favorite, too.

The ingredients for pizza di spaghetti are simple: eggs, pasta, olive oil, cheese, and then... whatever else you want to add! The dish is prepared by mixing cooked spaghetti with beaten eggs and parmesan cheese, with whatever mix-ins you desire, from meat to vegetables. The mixture is then poured into a hot skillet with olive oil and cooked until golden brown and crispy. Veronica's secret for slicing the pizza di spaghetti into wedges is by using scissors, a traditional Italian kitchen tool.

This dish is not only a great Neapolitan dish, but also a fantastic way to use leftover pasta. By adding eggs and cheese to leftover pasta, you can follow the same recipe procedure to create this tasty dish. It's a great way to save food and create something new and delicious. Giada has always admired her mom's proclivity to take leftovers and turn them into something new entirely, in line with the Italian cooking philosophy cucina povera - nothing goes to waste!

Pizza di spaghetti is more than just a dish; it's a way to honor the bond of family and the traditions and memories that come with it. It's simple, tasty, and filled with love.