Chitarrine alla Teramana is a traditional Abruzzese pasta dish dating back to 1600. This first-course meal consists of chitarra pasta (thin spaghetti with a square shape) and a tomato sauce with tiny meatballs. The meatballs are made with a combination of ground beef, egg yolks, parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper, while the tomato sauce is usually prepared with beef, pork ribs, bones, tomatoes, carrots, celery, onions, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Once prepared, chitarrine alla Teramana are typically topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino cheese before serving.