Bologna: Private Pasta Class & Lunch in Local Home

Summary

Learn to make bolognese pasta with a local in her home kitchen

You’ll join a local host in her Bologna home to cook classic pasta dishes from scratch, sample regional snacks like crescentine with salumi and cheese, share stories over homemade wine, and enjoy an unhurried meal together — an experience you’ll remember long after you leave Italy.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the faint clatter of pans from Giovanna’s kitchen — not loud, just that gentle sound you get when someone’s been cooking for years. Her apartment sits inside this old villa in Bologna, and you can smell something warm and floury even before you step inside. Giovanna greeted us with a smile that felt like she’d known us forever, and her daughters drifted in and out, chatting about their day. It’s funny, I thought I’d feel awkward in someone else’s home, but it just felt… easy.

We started with crescentine — little puffy breads that we filled with slices of mortadella and soft cheese. Giovanna showed me how to press the dough just right (I definitely messed up the first one; she laughed and said her grandmother used to do it differently anyway). The kitchen was bright but not fancy, sunlight catching on flour dust in the air. She told stories about Bologna as we worked, mixing family history with bits about why pork is such a big deal here. I tried saying “Gramigna” like she did — didn’t quite nail it. She didn’t mind.

Making pasta from scratch is messier than I expected. My hands got sticky, the dough stuck under my nails, but there was something kind of meditative about it. We made tagliatelle al ragù (the real Bolognese sauce), simmering slow on the stove while we chopped vegetables for a side dish. At some point Francesca poured us glasses of Pignoletto wine from the hills outside town — crisp and cold against all that warmth from the stove. Lunch at Giovanna’s table felt like Sunday at someone else’s house: plates passed around, stories half-finished because everyone was eating or laughing.

I still think about that meal sometimes — not just the taste (though honestly, nothing beats fresh pasta), but how unhurried everything felt. There was no rush to finish or clean up; we just sat there talking until the afternoon light changed color through the window. If you’re looking for a Bolognese pasta class in Bologna that actually feels personal, this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bolognese Cooking Class with Giovanna

• Learn to cook traditional Bolognese pasta
• Prepare a seasonal side dish or dessert
• Enjoy meal with local snacks and wine

Top questions

Is this Bolognese pasta class private?

Yes, it's a private cooking class held in Giovanna's home.

Where does the cooking class take place?

The class takes place in a local apartment within a large villa in Bologna.

What dishes will I learn to make?

You’ll prepare 2-3 traditional Italian dishes: usually a pasta (like tagliatelle al ragù), a side or dessert, plus snacks like crescentine or tigelle.

Is lunch included after the cooking class?

Yes, after cooking you'll sit down to enjoy the meal you've prepared together.

Are drinks included?

The experience includes 1-2 glasses of local wine such as Pignoletto or Lambrusco.

Can children join this pasta class?

Infants and small children can attend; strollers are allowed.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are permitted during the experience.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to Giovanna's home.

Does the home have air conditioning?

No, as is common in many Italian homes, there is no air conditioning.

What’s included

Your day includes a private hands-on cooking class with host Giovanna in her Bologna home, all ingredients and taxes covered, plus a homemade meal featuring traditional pasta dishes and regional snacks paired with local wine before you head out again into the city’s streets.