Tagliatelle al ragù alla Bolognese is a traditional dish originating from Bologna, consisting of tagliatelle pasta and a rich ragù made with a mixture of minced beef and pork, and tomatoes as key ingredients. Even though they are often thought to be synonymous, tagliatelle al ragù—one of Bologna's signature dishes—bears little or no resemblance to the dish known as spaghetti Bolognese in the rest of the world.
In fact, the world famous Italian ragù alla Bolognese meat sauce is never served with spaghetti in Bologna. Instead, when it isn't served over fresh tagliatelle, you will most often find it topping a bed of some other other ribbon-like pasta, such as fettuccine or pappardelle.
MOST ICONIC Tagliatelle al ragù alla Bolognese
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This rich and filling piatto unico (lit. single plate; one-dish meal) is traditionally made from layers of homemade, typically spinach-flavored fresh egg lasagna pasta that is topped with béchamel sauce and a rich meat sauce called ragù alla Bolognese.
Lastly, lasagne alla Bolognese is generously sprinkled with the Emilian king of cheeses, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and baked until tender on the inside with a perfectly crisp, browned top. This oven-baked classic is a typical dish of the Emilia-Romagna region, and of the city of Bologna specifically.
MOST ICONIC Lasagne alla Bolognese
View moreOne of the most popular Italian pasta types are tortellini; an intricate creation made with a variety of ingredients securely wrapped inside a layer of egg pasta, creating a pocket which is then folded in a ring shape. They are commonly referred as navels, originating from the famous legend which claims that a chef created it after he saw the goddess Venus, and modeled it on the look of her belly button.
The first written record of tortellini goes back to the 17th century, although it is probable that they were created earlier than that. It is believed that they originate from the Emilia-Romagna area, specifically cities Modena and Bologna. Unlike other pasta varieties, tortellini were considered a luxurious food, usually served during important holidays or festivities.
VARIATIONS OF Tortellini
MOST ICONIC Tortellini
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Lasagne alla parmigiana is a traditional lasagna dish originating from Emilia-Romagna. The dish is essentially a blend of two Italian classics – lasagne pasta and eggplant parmigiana. Although there are many recipes, it's usually made with a combination of lasagne sheets, eggplants, tomatoes, garlic, mozzarella, olive oil, basil, grated cheese, salt, and black pepper.
The eggplants are sliced, salted, drained, and fried in oil until golden. The tomato sauce is made with tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic. It's spread on the bottom of an ovenproof dish and topped with cooked lasagna sheets, tomato sauce, eggplant slices, mozzarella, grated cheese, and basil.
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MAIN INGREDIENTS
One of the most typical pasta dishes from Bologna is called tortellini in brodo, referring to tiny parcels of meat-filled pasta served in a golden capon broth, sometimes with the addition of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. The official recipe requires the dough to be made from eggs and flour, and the filling to be made from pork loin, prosciutto, mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano, eggs, and nutmeg.
Cooking in a broth additionally boosts the flavor of this ultimate comfort food, which, due to the time-consuming preparation process used to be a dish reserved for festive occasions such as Christmas. Today, freshly made tortellini are a standard part of the gastronomic offer of Bologna, and the locals prefer to enjoy those extraordinary flavors in a simple bowl of soup rather than veiling it in heavy, creamy sauces.
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MOST ICONIC Tortellini in brodo
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The combination of cappelletti pasta and a flavorful chicken broth is a traditional dish that is popular throughout northern and central Italy, but it is believed that both the dish and the stuffed cappelletti pasta originated in the Emilia-Romagna region.
Though the fillings in the pasta may vary and commonly include beef, chicken, cheese, and nutmeg, they are always cooked and served accompanied by a generously seasoned, warm chicken broth. From a festive dish that was traditionally eaten on Christmas, cappelletti in brodo is nowadays enjoyed on various occasions.
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Tortelli di zucca is a popular Italian dish consisting of tortelli or ravioli pasta with a pumpkin filling. The origin of this dish is disputed between Mantua and Ferrara, with both cities claiming paternity over the recipe. The stuffing for tortelli is usually made with sweet pumpkin, bitter amaretto cookies, savory parmesan cheese, and fruit mustard, resulting in a unique, unusual flavor that is beloved by many.
People from the region traditionally prepare the dish for special occasions, such as Christmas Eve, when tortelli di zucca are paired with a sauce consisting of butter and sage.
The pumpkin hats of Ferrara — as translated in English — are a type of fresh filled pasta made with a delicious filling of velvety, pre-cooked butternut squash, or zucca violina in Italian, and grated parmesan cheese, while nutmeg imparts a warm, sweet, and spicy flavor.
Ferrara's signature pasta dish has a tradition dating back to the Renaissance: the first recipe was written in 1584 by Giovanni Battista Rossetti, the court cook of Alfonso II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara. Cappellacci are commonly served doused in melted butter, with fresh sage and a sprinkle of parmesan, but they can also be enjoyed with a tomato or meat sauce.
MOST ICONIC Cappellacci di zucca Ferraresi
View moreTortelli d'erbetta is a traditional pasta dish originating from Parma. It consists of tortelli pasta filled with a combination of ricotta, eggs, nutmeg, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, and beet spinach (or ordinary spinach). The pasta is made from eggs, flour, and salt.
Once assembled, tortelli d'erbetta are cooked in boiling water until done. Before serving, the dish is traditionally mixed with melted butter and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Many people in the Emilia Romagna region eat this dish each year on 23 June (the Feast of Saint Giovanni), either at home or at city festivals and restaurants.
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Bologna is often referred to as the food capital of Italy, and gramigna con salsiccia is definitely one of the reasons for that title. Curly-shaped pasta combined with a simple sausage ragù made with pork sausage, tomatoes and wine creates a deeply comforting dish beloved by the locals.
Absolutely delicious in its simplicity, especially when topped with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, gramigna con salsicca pairs nicely with local red wines such as Sangiovese di Romagna - its acidity works well with both the tomatoes and the sausage.
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 16 Emilian Pasta Dishes” list until January 29, 2025, 3,570 ratings were recorded, of which 2,862 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.