10 Food Moments from "The Sopranos" That Really Make Us Want Some Pasta

Editor’s Note: HBO and Food Network are sister brands of parent company Warner Bros. Discovery.

This article contains spoilers for the series The Sopranos.

In Italian-American culture, food isn’t just sustenance. It’s a means of expressing love, a force generating a sense of identity, and in some cases, a cause for violence. Those associated with the Soprano family understand this better than anyone.

As The Sopranos turns 25 (stream the entire series on Max now), we revisit times when meals stole the spotlight. From weaponizing meat to squashing beef (pun intended), the versatile use of food in the legendary television drama goes beyond that of plot devices. Sometimes the main character isn’t a person; it’s a frozen tray of ziti.

Season 1, Episode 3

The relationship between Tony Soprano and Artie Bucco is rooted in lies, favors and Tony’s struggle to control Artie. When Artie opens up about the pain he feels from losing his restaurant, Tony’s guilt bubbles to the surface in the form of a tough-love rant chastising Artie for his inability to move on. In a moment of misguided pride, Artie hits Tony in the eye with a slice of prosciutto. What ensues isn’t a classic act of revenge from Tony. The two have a food fight in Tony’s kitchen at point-blank range, rapidly devolving from one fueled by hostility to a true display of friendship. Not only are the two using food to express negativity towards each other, but Tony finds himself in a rare contentious situation bereft of violent malice. The love embodied by homemade food is the only thing powerful enough to effectively deliver criticism to Tony.

Season 1, Episode 8

The rules of the bakery are abstract, and often left up to the interpretation of those behind the counter. When Tony sends Christopher to pick up sfogliatelle and cannoli, he endures a montage of waiting for his number to be called, only to get cut in line by a patron who’s friends with the lone employee. Fueled by resentment he feels for his measly role in the organization, and the rage that comes with writer’s block, Christopher kicks out the other customer, locks the door and pulls out his gun. He doesn’t take any money, just pastries. And in classic Christopher fashion, he shoots the guy in the foot to prove he’s seen Goodfellas.

Season 1, Episode 12

Rule number one of Italian-American food: ignorance is bliss. No one needs to know about the carb tally of an average Italian dinner. Meadow violates this when Livia asks her for some gabagool as the family gathers to celebrate Tony’s return from the hospital after a failed assassination attempt. She minimizes the Italian staple to "nothing but fat and nitrates." Unfazed by her nutritional analysis, Silvio says what the whole audience was thinking: "Gabagool? Over here!"