Graham Henry returned to Wales, decked in a red and white scarf, to watch his successor, Steve Hansen, gain his first victory.
Wales led 23-13 at the interval and then raced clear in the second half with replacement
Rhys Williams collecting a superb try and first Scott Quinnell and then Andy Marinos going over to take the try-count to 5-2.
Italy lost flanker Aaron Persico to the sin-bin in the second half, as he became the 16th Italian to be yellow-carded in 13 championship matches.
Coach Hansen used all seven replacements, including bringing off skipper Quinnell, who was winning his 49th cap.
Wales: K Morgan (I Harris); D James, T Shanklin (R Williams), A Marinos, C Morgan; S Jones, R Howley (D Peel); I Thomas, R McBryde (B Williams), C Anthony (S John), I Gough (C Wyatt), A Moore, N Budgett, M Williams, S Quinnell (capt) (B Sinkinson).
Tries: Craig Morgan. Dafydd James, Rhys Williams, Scott Quinnell, Andy Marinos.
Con: Stephen Jones (5). Pens: Stephen Jones (3).
Italy: G Peens; R Pedrazzi (A Benatti), Mirco Bergamasco (G Raineri),C Stoica, N Mazzucato; R Pez (F Mazzariol), A Troncon; G de Carli (A Lo Cicero), A Moscardi (capt), S Perugini (F Pucciariello), M Giacheri (M Phillips), M Bortolami, A Persico, Mauro Bergamasco, C Checchinato.
Tries: Carlo Checchinato, Francesco Mazzariol. Cons: Ramiro Pez, G Peens. Pens: Ramiro Pez, Gert Peens.
Referee: Chris White (England).
