Bologna: Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class in Local Home

Summary

Learn to make pasta by hand in bologna then share tiramisu with new friends

You’ll join a small group in a real Bologna home to learn hands-on pasta making from scratch—rolling sfoglia, shaping two classic pastas, then layering up fresh tiramisu. Enjoy an Italian aperitivo as you cook, share laughs with your host Maria and fellow travelers, and sit down together for wine and homemade food you actually made yourself.

What’s the experience like?

I never thought I’d be rolling out dough on someone’s kitchen table in Bologna, but here we were—flour everywhere, sleeves rolled up, the late afternoon sun coming through the window. Our host (she insisted we call her Maria, not “signora”) had this way of making you feel like you’d just dropped by for Sunday lunch. She poured us prosecco before anything else—said it helped with nerves—and honestly, I think she was right.

The pasta part was way messier than I expected. Maria showed us how to roll ‘sfoglia’ by hand—no machines allowed. My first attempt looked more like a map than a sheet of pasta, but she just laughed and said everyone’s first time is lumpy. There was something about the smell of eggs and flour mixing that made me hungry even before we started cooking. We learned two types—tagliatelle and little stuffed ones (I can’t remember the name…tortellini maybe?). Someone else in our group tried to say it in Italian and Maria nearly spit out her wine laughing.

Making tiramisu felt almost too easy after all that kneading. Layers of espresso-soaked biscuits and mascarpone—I got carried away dusting cocoa on top (my shirt paid the price). We all sat down together at the end, passing plates back and forth, trying each other’s creations. The wine flowed a bit more freely then. There was this moment when everyone went quiet for a second after the first bite—just tasting. I still think about that silence sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hands-on pasta and tiramisu class

• Enjoy Italian Aperitivo to start
• Learn to roll fresh pasta dough
• Make two types of pasta
• Prepare iconic tiramisu dessert
• Cook and share meal with group

Top questions

How long does the Bologna pasta & tiramisu class last?

The class typically lasts around 3 hours including cooking and eating time.

Is this cooking class held in a restaurant or someone's home?

The class takes place in a carefully selected local home in Bologna.

What types of pasta will I learn to make?

You’ll learn to roll sfoglia by hand and prepare two iconic pastas from scratch.

Do I need any cooking experience for this class?

No experience is needed; your host will guide you through every step.

Are drinks included during the class?

Yes, beverages like water, wines, prosecco for aperitivo, and coffee are included.

How many people are in each group?

The small-group class has a maximum of 12 participants.

Is tiramisu really made from scratch during the class?

Yes, you’ll prepare classic tiramisu yourself as part of the experience.

Are sanitary precautions taken during the cooking session?

Yes, all homes provide sanitizing gel, paper towels, and follow safety rules carefully.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes hands-on lessons for two classic pastas plus tiramisu-making in a local Bologna home with your Cesarina host. You’ll enjoy an Italian aperitivo with prosecco and snacks before cooking starts. All drinks—wine, water, coffee—are provided throughout the session along with tastings of everything you make together before heading out again into Bologna’s streets.