Pasta is more than a staple of Italian cuisine. It is an expression of regional tradition, culinary creativity and the joy of sharing a meal.

And now Costa Cruises guests can discover more than 100 different preparations of pasta across the shipboard menus.

“Pasta is at the heart of Italian food culture, and at Costa, it’s something we take great pride in bringing to life on board,” Priscilla Reyes, head of sales for Costa Cruises North America, said in a press release.

“It’s a familiar part of everyday life in Italy, yet there are endless ways to enjoy it. We want our guests to discover that same sense of joy at the table, whether they choose a dish they know and love or try something completely new.”

At the heart of Costa’s Italian culinary identity, pasta takes many forms across the fleet, bringing together familiar favorites, inventive combinations and high-quality ingredients.

From timeless recipes inspired by Italy’s culinary heritage to contemporary interpretations that introduce new flavors, each dish offers another way to discover the richness and diversity of Italian cooking while traveling to destinations around the world.

For Costa, celebrating pasta also means sharing a fundamental part of Italian culture: the pleasure of gathering around the table and enjoying food as part of the travel experience.

On board, that spirit is reflected in a range of preparations that connect guests with Italy’s culinary heritage while offering fresh inspiration along the way.

                                      Pasta Dishes Guests Can Discover

Among the dishes guests can discover on board are:

• Spaghettone with green pea carbonara and mortadella, a contemporary interpretation that brings together creamy textures and savory Italian flavors.
• Penne with arugula pesto and buffalo mozzarella, featuring mozzarella freshly produced on board.
• Pumpkin tortelli with basil pesto, shrimp ragout and toasted pine nuts, combining delicate filled pasta with fresh herbs, seafood and a touch of crunch.
• Gnocchetti Sardi with sausage sauce, broccoli and chili, a hearty preparation that pairs traditional Sardinian pasta with savory sauce and a hint of heat.
• Mezze maniche with swordfish, Taggiasca olives and demi roasted cherry tomatoes.

Together, these dishes illustrate Costa’s approach to dining on board, where Italian culinary traditions meet contemporary creativity and carefully selected ingredients. The results are varied menus that invite guests to explore the many expressions of Italian cuisine throughout their cruise.

                                    Costa Pasta Menu Fun Facts

• On a seven-day cruise, guests have nearly 80 opportunities to sample different pasta dishes.
• From Neapolitan ragout and Sicilian-inspired pasta to pasta alla Nerano, amatriciana and Trapanese-style maccheroncini, the list draws on a wide range of Italian regional traditions.
• At least 32 seafood and fish dishes bring the flavors of the sea to the menu.
• Pasta comes in all shapes and sizes. Spaghetti, trofie, scialatielli, agnolotti, quadrotti, ferriceddi and more; the list showcases an impressive variety.
• More than 20 entries stuff or fill the pasta, with ingredients ranging from meat and ricotta to shellfish and truffle-flavored cheese.
• 15 lasagna dishes put a creative spin on a beloved Italian classic.
• From straightforward penne with tomato sauce to lasagna Bolognese, tomatoes appear in at least 18 entries.
• 10 dishes featuring pesto offer variations on one of Italy’s best-known sauces.
• Eight cannelloni dishes highlight the variety of stuffed pasta preparations.
• At least four dishes feature lemon as a highlight ingredient.
• The menu even includes Neapolitan-style pasta and bean soup, a reminder that pasta isn’t just about twirling noodles.
• Three entries pair ginger with seafood and vegetables, including calamari, cherry tomatoes and zucchini.

Gluten-free pasta options are available daily for guests with special dietary needs.

                                               About Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises, an Italian company based in Genoa, is part of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise group. For more than 75 years, Costa ships have been plying the seas of the world, taking guests to more than 200 different destinations that can be discovered through unique experiences, both on board and ashore.

Currently, the Costa fleet consists of eight ships, all flying the Italian flag, sailing in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, Central America, South America and the United Arab Emirates — as well as “Around the World” and “Grand Cruises” that visit many continents on a single itinerary.

Photos courtesy of Costa Cruises

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