Pasta Sisters Brings Authentic Italian Tradition to SoCal Grocery Aisles

LOS ANGELES, CA – March 18, 2026 – For years, Angelenos have lined up for a taste of Pasta Sisters, the family-owned eatery celebrated for its authentic, scratch-made Italian fare. Now, the journey to enjoy those generational recipes has gotten much shorter. The beloved brand has made its official retail debut, bringing its signature pastas and sauces to the frozen aisles of Southern California's Gelson's Markets and select Claro's Italian Markets.

This expansion marks a significant milestone for the family, transforming a local restaurant sensation into a household name. Fans can now find a curated selection of Pasta Sisters' most popular items, allowing them to recreate the restaurant experience in their own homes. The move represents a new chapter for a business built on tradition, quality, and the simple joy of a shared meal.

"We're thrilled to bring our family recipes to the grocery aisle—and ultimately into the homes of more Angelenos," said Pasta Sisters CEO Francesco Sinatra. "Partnering with Gelson's and Claro's is a natural fit. We're all family-built businesses that share a commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and our customers."

A Taste of Tradition in the Freezer Aisle

The initial rollout includes a dozen Gelson's locations, with plans to expand to all stores across Southern California in the coming weeks. Shoppers at Gelson's will discover a range of products designed for a complete Italian meal: fresh spaghetti and tagliatelle, delicate tortellini, a ready-to-bake meat lasagna layered with housemade pasta sheets and bolognese, and jars of their signature nine-hour bolognese sauce. Fellow institution Claro's Italian Markets will feature the tortellini and gnocchi.

Positioned in the premium frozen category, the products are priced between $9.95 and $14.95 for packages ranging from 12 to 16 ounces. The decision to offer the products frozen is a deliberate one, rooted in the family's commitment to quality. Using a flash-freezing technique, the pasta's temperature is lowered rapidly right after production. This process prevents the formation of large ice crystals that can damage food structure, thereby preserving the pasta's delicate texture, flavor, and al dente bite. The company states that once cooked, the pasta is indistinguishable from its fresh, never-frozen counterpart.

The Unwavering Commitment to Craftsmanship

Scaling from a restaurant kitchen to a retail supply chain presents a challenge for any artisanal brand: how to increase volume without sacrificing quality. For Pasta Sisters, the answer lies in doubling down on the very principles that made them successful. Production remains a meticulous, hands-on affair at their central Los Angeles kitchen.

Every day begins at 6 a.m. with the creation of fresh pasta dough, a simple but perfected mixture of premium extra-virgin olive oil, eggs, and specialized "00" flour. This isn't just any flour; it's sourced directly from the Petra Molino Quaglia mill in Veneto, Italy. The mill, known for using 100% Italian wheat and a specialized process, produces a light, grainy flour that gives the pasta its signature golden hue and ideal texture. There are no fillers, additives, or preservatives.

This dedication extends to every item. The gnocchi are made from fresh, steamed potatoes, a stark contrast to the rehydrated potato powder common in mass-produced versions. When machinery is necessary, the family relies on top-tier Italian Emiliomiti equipment. Most notably, Pasta Sisters owns the only tortellini-making machine in the United States that has been officially approved by the prestigious Bologna Chamber of Commerce and the Learned Brotherhood of the Tortellino. This first-of-its-kind approval is a testament to the machine's ability to replicate the quality of a traditionally handmade product.

From Padova to Los Angeles: A Family's Culinary Journey

The story of Pasta Sisters is a quintessential tale of immigrant success, rooted in family and flavor. It began when matriarch Paola Da Re moved to Los Angeles from Padova, Italy, in 2010. Working as a nanny, she often prepared meals for the families, sharing the fresh pasta, gnocchi, and tiramisu from her own family's generational recipes. Her cooking became so beloved that she was encouraged to open her own place.

In 2015, with her son Francesco Sinatra, Da Re opened the first Pasta Sisters in a tiny, three-table deli in Mid-City. It was an instant hit, with lines forming out the door for authentic pasta served with warm hospitality. Soon, her daughters Giorgia Sinatra and Francesca Lico joined the business. The family expanded in 2018 with a larger, sun-drenched location in Culver City's Helms Bakery District and again in 2025 with a takeout-and-delivery-focused kitchen in Costa Mesa.

Their commitment to authenticity was formally recognized in 2024 when the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West awarded Pasta Sisters the "Ospitalità Italiana – Marchio Q" certification. This prestigious global seal is granted only to businesses that meet rigorous standards for authentic Italian hospitality, from customer service and ambiance to the use of genuine Italian products and preservation of cultural heritage.

A Global Recognition for Italian Heritage

The retail launch arrives at a moment of renewed global appreciation for Italian culinary arts. In late 2025, UNESCO officially recognized Italian cuisine as part of humanity's intangible cultural heritage. This designation goes far beyond just food, celebrating the entire ecosystem of rituals, social practices, and traditional techniques involved in producing and sharing meals. It acknowledges Italian cuisine as a living heritage that fosters community and identity.

This global validation provides a powerful backdrop for Pasta Sisters' expansion. The brand is not merely selling a product but offering a piece of a protected cultural tradition. It aligns with a growing consumer desire for foods with a transparent, ethical, and authentic story. For families across Southern California, it means access to a product that is a direct link to the heritage celebrated by UNESCO.

"Italian cooking is rooted in shared recipes, care for ingredients, and gathering around the table—and it's also about creativity," said Creative Director Giorgia Sinatra. "We love the idea that families can pair our pasta with their own sauces, traditions, and recipes, blending the best of our kitchen with the best of theirs, right at home."

Initial Gelson's locations carrying the products include stores in Santa Barbara, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana, Silver Lake, Santa Monica, La Cañada, Manhattan Beach, Long Beach, Dana Point, Newport Beach, and San Diego, with a full rollout to follow.