Mel Gibson was hamming it up for the cameras — or ought to it’s prosciutto? — eating solo in Rome whereas engaged on his newest movie challenge.

Mel was snapped on Thursday having fun with some delicious-looking pasta … and proceeded to goof off — as you’ll be able to clearly see — when he observed he was being photographed.

A supply near Mel tells TMZ … He is in Rome for pre-production of “Resurrection of the Christ” — which is the follow-up to his 2004 biblical epic, “The Ardour of the Christ.”

As we reported … Mel was not too long ago within the information when a straw ballot confirmed he was a preferred candidate to run for California governor … however a supply near the actor instructed us he is not involved in politics — though he is flattered by the outcomes.