Bologna · Italy

Emilia-Romagna

Learn about Emilia-Romagna’s egg pasta, tagliatelle, tortellini, lasagne and slow ragù traditions.

Regional character

How pasta tastes in Emilia-Romagna.

Emilia-Romagna is famous for fresh egg pasta rolled into sheets, ribbons and filled shapes. Its food is generous, skilled and closely tied to particular towns.

Bologna’s ragù belongs with tagliatelle and lasagne. Parma, Modena and Romagna bring their own cheeses, cured meats and pasta traditions.

Shapes

Tagliatelle

Lasagne

Tortellini

Garganelli

Ingredients

Parmigiano Reggiano

Eggs

Pork

Beef

Butter

Known dishes

Tagliatelle al ragù

Lasagne verdi

Tortellini in brodo

Sauces of Emilia-Romagna

From this region’s pans.

Regional association is based on the source notes in each guide. Household methods still vary.

Ragù

Ragù alla Bolognese

Cook a proper Bolognese ragù with soffritto, meat, wine, milk and restrained tomato, then pair it with tagliatelle rather than treating it as a quick mince sauce.

Read the sauce guide →
Cook the region

Recipes from Emilia-Romagna.

Each recipe keeps traditional ingredients and practical substitutions clearly separated.

Tagliatelle al ragu with slow cooked meat sauce and Parmesan on a warm timber table
Emilia-Romagna · Bologna

Tagliatelle al Ragù

A slow beef and pork ragù served with broad egg tagliatelle, where the pasta matters as much as the sauce.

180 minModerateServes 6
Small tortellini in clear golden broth with Parmigiano in a refined white bowl
Emilia-Romagna · festive broth

Tortellini in Brodo

Tiny meat-filled tortellini float in clear, deeply flavoured broth in this patient special-occasion dish.

180 minModerateServes 6
Neat slice of green lasagne alla Bolognese with fine ragù and béchamel layers
Emilia-Romagna · Traditional bake

Lasagne alla Bolognese

Green pasta sheets, slow ragù, béchamel and Parmigiano form restrained, distinct layers in Bologna's celebrated baked pasta.

210 minModerateServes 8
Curled gramigna pasta with crumbled sausage light tomato cream sauce and Parmesan
Emilia-Romagna · Sausage pasta

Gramigna alla Salsiccia

Curled gramigna and fresh sausage meet in a restrained cream and tomato sauce from Emilia-Romagna.

35 minEasyServes 4