The Secret Behind Our House-Made Pasta

Why Fresh Pasta Makes All the Difference at Adalina

At the heart of every great Italian dish is one key ingredient: the pasta. At Adalina, a modern Italian restaurant in Chicago, our house-made pasta is more than just a menu item—it’s a labor of love, a tribute to tradition, and the foundation of our kitchen.

So, what’s the secret behind our pasta? It's a blend of time-honored technique, premium ingredients, and an uncompromising passion for fresh Italian food that you can taste in every bite.

1. Crafted Fresh Daily

Unlike dried pasta, our pasta is made in-house each day by our talented culinary team. From silky strands of tagliatelle to pillowy pockets of agnolotti, each batch is meticulously shaped by hand or extruded through traditional bronze dies for the ideal texture—delicate, yet resilient enough to hold sauces beautifully.

We specialize in both house-made extruded and stuffed pastas, offering our guests the full range of textures and flavors that define handmade pasta dishes.

2. Authentic Italian Ingredients

Every great pasta starts with great ingredients. We use the finest semolina flour and farm-fresh eggs—sourced locally whenever possible—to create doughs that are golden in color, rich in flavor, and rooted in Italian culinary tradition.

3. Regional Recipes, Modern Execution

Our menu draws inspiration from the diverse regions of Italy, brought to life with a contemporary twist. From a refined rigatoni alla vodka to our signature duck agnolotti, we pair traditional flavors with modern elegance to create dishes that feel both comforting and elevated.

4. Pasta as an Experience

At Adalina, pasta isn’t just a course—it’s an experience. Each handmade pasta dish is designed to be a showpiece, whether it’s topped with seasonal vegetables, slow-braised meats, or decadent sauces like truffle cream or brown butter. Our guests don’t just eat pasta—they remember it.

5. Why House-Made Pasta Matters

Fresh pasta delivers what dried simply can’t: a tender bite, unmatched flavor absorption, and a luxurious mouthfeel that transforms every dish. That’s why so many of our guests describe our pasta as “the best in the city.” When you taste pasta that’s been crafted by hand, the difference is undeniable.