London's Most Extravagant Italian Recipes: Recreate Big Mamma's Iconic Dishes at Home
In a dining scene often dominated by minimalist trends, the Big Mamma restaurant group has carved out a niche for unapologetic indulgence. With Gloria's iconic 10-layer lasagne returning for a limited run from 1-28 February 2026, now is the perfect time to bring that theatrical, pleasure-first cooking into your own kitchen. From pecorino-wheel carbonara to truffle mafaldine and a sky-high lemon meringue pie, these recipes capture the spirit of maximalist comfort food that has defined London's Italian dining for years.
The Philosophy of Excess: Big Mamma's Culinary Theatre
Big Mamma's dishes are engineered for maximum impact, blending nostalgia with a bit of rebellious theatre. Long before viral marketing strategies, their plates were built for spectacle—towering, molten, and shaved to perfection. In a city increasingly obsessed with small plates and restraint, Big Mamma's food remains proudly excessive, offering reassurance through its unfashionable yet deeply satisfying approach.
The return of the legendary 10-layer lasagne serves as a timely excuse to revisit the dishes that captivated Londoners. This is food designed to be shared, photographed, and remembered, embodying a spirit of abundance and drama that turns dinner into a memorable event.
Ten-Layer Lasagne: A Monumental Masterpiece
This lasagne is a testament to culinary architecture, with layers of rich ragu, creamy bechamel, and fresh pasta. To make it, start with a ragu using minced pork, beef, and veal, simmered with red wine and tomato passata for two hours. The bechamel sauce, made with butter, flour, and whole milk, adds a luxurious touch. Assemble ten layers in an ovenproof dish, baking until golden and bubbling. Serve with a spoonful of reserved bechamel and a garnish of bay leaves for that final flourish.
Mafaldine al Tartufo: A Truffle-Infused Delight
This dish highlights London's enduring truffle obsession, combining mafaldine pasta with a decadent truffle cream sauce. Sauté shallots and mushrooms in truffle oil and butter, deglaze with white wine, and stir in mascarpone for richness. Toss with al dente pasta and finish with slivers of black truffle, creating a dish that's both elegant and indulgent.
La Gran Carbonara: Pecorino-Wheel Spectacle
Inspired by the pasta served from giant pecorino wheels, this carbonara recipe uses guanciale, eggs, and a mix of pecorino and parmesan cheeses. The key is to mix the egg sauce off the heat to achieve a creamy consistency without scrambling. It's a simple yet dramatic dish that brings restaurant-style theatre to your table.
The Incredible Lemon Pie: A Dessert of Drama
This lemon meringue pie is part dessert, part spectacle, featuring a sharp lemon custard and torched Italian meringue. The pastry, made with ground almonds, bakes to a crisp shell, while the custard sets overnight for intense flavour. Top with a dome of meringue, caramelised with a blowtorch, for a show-stopping finish that's as visually impressive as it is delicious.
Bringing the Restaurant Experience Home
These recipes are not about virtue or restraint; they're about embracing abundance and joy in cooking. Whether you're hosting a special dinner or simply craving something ridiculously good, these dishes offer a reminder that food can still be a source of big, silly pleasure. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and dive into the world of over-the-top Italian cooking—right from your own kitchen.
