Master Class

When pasta water is being narrated to you as "tears of the Gods," then you know you're listening to someone with a great, immense passion for Italian food.
Meet Nadia Caterina Munno, aka The Pasta Queen. With more than a million followers on TikTok, this social media sensation is well on her way to celebrity cook status thanks to her easy-to-follow recipes that yield impressive results. Trust us, we've tried and tested quite a few.

And it's because Munno, who is Italian herself and comes from a long line of pasta makers, just really knows what she's doing in the kitchen. Add to that her passionate and in-depth storytelling with each recipe, with signature lines like "tears of the Gods" and "just gorgeous" sprinkled in, The Pasta Queen is a must follow.

Here, we chat with Munno on her summer entertaining tips, crowd-pleasing recipes, and of course, how to make a delicious pasta, every time.

What's an outdoor dinner party like, Pasta Queen style?
I always want to create an environment and an experience that tells a story. For me, it starts with music. I love the feeling of walking into a party with 1960s soft Italian music. It’s nostalgic and brings me back to my childhood in Italy where my Nonna Caterina and I would be on the beach enjoying a soft little breeze, listening to her favorite songs, and taking in the smells of the food she brought for us. I love sharing that experience with others. At a party, it’s important to greet every single guest, which I follow up with a little tour of the venue. It makes it personal and memorable. My dinners are wrapped around food and music and bring together the perfect mix of people. Add in the play of light and you get magic. The Roman Gods would approve!

Summer dinner party must-haves?
I like to use natural items especially when I take the party outdoors, wrapping extra-large linen napkins in twine and fresh herbs. It’s a simple, beautiful touch. The fresh herbs really pull everything together. Planning a summer dinner party takes quite a bit of imagination and a dash of the unexpected. Creating intimate and comfortable lounge spaces outdoors adds a special touch. I use sofas, poufs, and pillows so that guests have a place to get away and engage in relaxing conversation.
For the dinner itself, long banquet-style tables lend a family-like feel. A table runner is the perfect backdrop for other décor, including a universal favorite—lemons. Incorporating lemons and glossy lemon leaves into the table décor, along with twine and herbs makes an incredible first impression. Adding to the fabulousness of it all is hand-molded clay dinnerware and pewter cutlery—a fun combination! I cannot stress enough the importance of little details. Flowers, lanterns, candles, sparkly twinkle lights, and glasses—which I decorate with herbs, flower petals, and leaves–creates magic!

Top 3 tips for the perfect pasta?
1. Always salt the water before the pasta goes in.
2. Toss the pasta in the sauce extra al-dente to finish the cooking to absorb the essence of the sauce.
3. And third, use the pasta water (also known as the Tears of Gods) to mix the pasta and the sauce and let it cook.