Giada De Laurentiis Discloses Her Two Essential Ingredients – And Your Next Preferred Pasta Recipe

The pair will not astonish you, and you will appreciate the chef's application of them.

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Giada De Laurentiis, an Italian-American chef, Food Network personality, and co-chair of the Oceania Cruises Culinary Advisory Board, considers the Mediterranean her home. She was raised in Rome and most recently traveled to Ischia and Sardinia, two concealed treasures she advocates exploring before they gain excessive popularity. “Both are exceptional,” she states. “Both exhibit an unspoiled and untamed quality.”

The global traveler participated in the 2025 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen to showcase a recipe at her seminar, A Taste of the Mediterranean, sponsored by Oceania Cruises. The Mediterranean diet has attained significant global recognition for a reason. According to De Laurentiis, it is predicated on utilizing high-quality, uncomplicated ingredients to create exceptionally tasty dishes. “That mindset has influenced all my actions throughout my culinary career.”

She crafted her classic Lemon Spaghetti, accompanied by a Lemon-Thyme Prosecco cocktail, Ricotta and Summer Mostarda Crostini, and Tiramisu for enthusiasts at the Classic.

“It is unsurprising that olive oil and lemon, fundamental components of the Mediterranean diet, are among my most frequently utilized ingredients in the kitchen.” “I utilize both continuously,” De Laurentiis informs us. “Incorporate legumes, whole grains, and delectable vegetables.” What is there to dislike?

For the Lemon Spaghetti, she employs her Giadzy olive oil from Northern Italy, which is milder than oils from Southern Italy, where heat intensifies the fruit's flavor. "This particular olive oil from Liguria in the north is suitable for both cooking and finishing, which is why I appreciate it greatly."

The pasta sauce includes lemon zest and juice, and the chef suggests Spaghetti Chitarra, which allows the sauce to adhere effectively.

The chef acts as the godmother of the Oceania Vista ship, which offers Lemon Spaghetti at its Toscana restaurant. The vessel has an 11-day schedule in October departing from Rome, featuring stops in Cinque Terre, Naples, and Sicily.

“I cannot conceive of a more exceptional method for culinary enthusiasts to engage with the Mediterranean than by cruising with Oceania Cruises, a company that is genuinely devoted to its cuisine,” she states. The line's chef-led Culinary Discovery visits immerse passengers in the essence of each destination's gastronomy through hands-on experiences, such as tasting handcrafted Maltese cuisine in a grotto-turned-restaurant or participating in market visits in Naples.