Lucca: Home Cooking Class & Tiramisu with Italian Family

Summary

Cook ravioli and tiramisu in Lucca with locals sharing family secrets

You’ll roll out fresh pasta dough in a real Lucca home, learn family tricks for ravioli and tagliatelle, laugh over tiramisu mishaps, and share a homemade meal with your hosts—plus local wine and espresso to end things right. Expect warmth, small surprises, and maybe even new friends around the table.

What’s the experience like?

We were already elbow-deep in flour when Mamma Carla showed us how to make that little well for eggs—she just did it so fast, like she’s done it a thousand times. Her kitchen in Lucca felt lived-in and warm, with the window cracked open so you could hear scooters zipping by outside. The smell of simmering tomato sauce was everywhere. I tried to copy her folding technique for ravioli, but mine looked sort of lopsided. She just grinned and said, “Uguale!” which I guess means close enough.

There were five of us around the table—me, two Australians who kept joking about their “pasta disasters” back home, and a couple from Milan who’d driven down for the weekend. Carla’s daughter helped translate when we got stuck on words (I still can’t pronounce “tagliatelle” right). We laughed a lot—especially when someone tried to whip egg whites for tiramisu too quickly and ended up splattering sugar everywhere. The wine started flowing early; I’m pretty sure that helped loosen everyone up.

I didn’t expect to feel so at home in someone else’s kitchen. There was this moment after lunch—homemade tagliatelle with sage butter, then our slightly messy tiramisu—when we all just sat back quietly for a second. Sunlight on the tablecloth, espresso cups clinking. It wasn’t fancy or staged; just real people sharing food. If you’re looking for a cooking class in Lucca that actually feels like being part of an Italian family (awkward ravioli shapes and all), this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hands-on pasta and tiramisu class

• Optional market tour for ingredients
• Meet Italian family at home
• Learn to make ravioli and tagliatelle
• Prepare tiramisu dessert
• Enjoy meal with wine, water, espresso

Top questions

How long does the Lucca cooking class last?

The hands-on cooking class lasts about 3 hours.

Is lunch or dinner included in this pasta & tiramisu class?

Yes, you’ll share a full meal (lunch or dinner) with wine included after cooking.

Can vegetarians or gluten-free travelers join?

Yes, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if you let them know ahead.

Where does the cooking class take place?

The class happens inside a local family’s home in Lucca.

Is there an option to visit a market before cooking?

If you book that option, you can join your host shopping at the market before class starts.

Are kids welcome at this Lucca pasta making experience?

This experience is suitable for families with children.

What dishes will I learn to cook?

You’ll make two types of pasta (like ravioli and tagliatelle) plus classic tiramisu from scratch.

What’s included

Your day includes all ingredients and equipment for hands-on pasta and tiramisu making inside a welcoming Lucca home; guidance from your host; a full three-course lunch or dinner with local wines; water or soft drinks for kids; plus Italian espresso to finish things off together at the table.