Ulster gained a measure of revenge for last season's shock home loss to Zebre as they claimed a bonus-point URC victory in Parma.
Bottom of the table Zebre had lost their previous 11 matches in a row and had to play most of the game with 14 following Simone Gesi's straight red card in the 29th minute.
Level at the break, Richie Murphy's men stepped up the pace in the second half and deservedly came away with all five points, a result that keeps them in third place in the standings with four rounds of the regular season remaining.
Captain Iain Henderson said: "Had you said to me yesterday we were going to come here and get a bonus-point win, I'd have bitten your hand off for it.
"Yes, plenty of things we could do better but happy with the outcome.
"They are always difficult to play at home. They beat us last year in our place so we knew this Zebre team had plenty to prove.
"We knew it was going to be a tough night at the office."
The opening score of the game came off the back of five penalties conceded by the visitors before the 12th minute.
Zebre hooker Tommaso Di Bartolomeo was on hand to drive over following a close-range lineout with Martin Roger Farias converting.
Ulster grew into the game and levelled matters on 20 minutes when tighthead Tom McAllister, on just his second appearance, barged over the line for a try converted by James Humphreys.
The main talking point of the first half came 10 minutes later when Gesi was stood up in a tackle in midfield by Stuart McCloskey.
The Italian wing appeared to thrust his hand towards the Ireland centre's face with referee Craig Evans seeing enough evidence from the replays of his fingers making contact around the eye area to issue a red card.
But it was the 14 men who finished the half stronger and missed a kickable penalty with the last play of the half.
However, it didn't take the visitors long to take the lead with Ireland hooker Rob Herring scoring a trademark try, shearing off the back of a maul to dot down in the corner, with Humphreys again landing the extras.
Zac Ward extended the lead seven minutes later after Herring intercepted on the Ulster 22 and kicked clear before replacement Juarno Augustus broke the line and popped to the winger to race home.
The outstanding Werner Kok finished well in the corner to secure the bonus point with just over 10 minutes to play, while Nathan Doak added his second conversion.
Jacopo Trulla finished off the scoring with a consolation try for the Italians.
Ulster host Ospreys in the Challenge Cup round of 16 next Saturday.
