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Bologna is the beating coronary heart of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna area and its wealthy culinary heritage. One of many titans in Bologna’s pantheon of world-renowned dishes is lasagne alla Bolognese, which could be very totally different from the ricotta variations present in different elements of Italy.

Whether or not you’re looking for a comfortable trattoria or a historic osteria, it’s essential embrace a lasagne alla Bolognese expertise in your subsequent Bologna meals tour. 

What Makes Bologna’s Lasagna Particular?

Bolognese lasagna has delicate layers of contemporary egg pasta, often called sfoglia verde, which is infused with spinach. The layers are interspersed with slow-simmered ragù, creamy béchamel sauce, and a dusting of artisanal Parmigiano-Reggiano. The result’s a deeply flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth dish that completely displays meals in Bologna. 

Lasagna in different elements of Italy usuyally doesn’t use spinach and infrequently consists of ricotta cheese. Southern-style Italian lasagnas additionally have a tendency to make use of mozzarella or different regional cheeses that don’t deliver the identical wealthy advanced flavors of Parmigiano-Reggiano in Bolognese lasagna. 

Greatest Eating places & Trattorias for Lasagna in Bologna

Bologna is loaded with well-known and hidden-gem eating places serving genuine lasagna. The next are a number of of my favorites once I have to scratch the itch for lasagne alla Bolognese.

Osteria dell’Orsa

Picture credit score: Osteria dell’Orsa

Osteria dell’Orsa is a beloved spot amongst locals and vacationers alike for its conventional Bolognese dishes. Their lasagne alla Bolognese is a standout favourite on their menu for its genuine preparation.​

I discover their ragù to be particularly wealthy, with a depth of taste that completely enhances the creamy béchamel sauce layered between delicate pasta sheets.​ Within the spring, when spinach is at its peak season, you’ll be able to style the terroir of Italy within the pasta.

Osteria dell’Orsa affords an informal, bustling ambiance. Nevertheless, they don’t settle for reservations, so in the event you determine to go to throughout prime hours, be ready for a brief wait.

Osteria dell’Orsa (€€) – Through Mentana, 1f, 40126 Bologna BO, Italy.

Ristorante Diana

Ristorante Diana is a historic institution famend for its basic Bolognese delicacies and stylish setting.​ The ambiance exudes a complicated ambiance, good for these looking for a standard eating expertise.

One of many issues I like about their lasagne alla Bolognese is its crispy high layer, which completely contrasts with the velvet-soft layers beneath. Their ragu is very wealthy, which provides to the flavorful filling.​

You need to observe that Ristorante Diana is in style for special day meals. So, it’s in all probability sensible to safe a reservation to get a desk throughout peak hours.  

Ristorante Diana (€€) – Through Volturno, 5, 40121 Bologna BO, Italy.

Da Cesari

Picture credit score: Da Cesari

As a current winner of TripAdvisor Vacationers’ Selection Award, Da Cesari is a household restaurant that mixes historical past and culinary excellence, making it a must-visit for lasagna lovers. They’re celebrated for genuine Bolognese delicacies, particularly lasagne alla Bolognese.

The recipe Da Cesari makes use of for his or her lasagne alla Bolognese is ready with a cherished household recipe handed down via generations. They characteristic vegetarian choices on their menu, and I felt like their appreciation for locally-sourced produce actually shined via within the natural spinach taste within the pasta of their lasagna.

Da Cesari can get very busy throughout peak hours. So, if you wish to guarantee a desk at meal time, it’s greatest to name prematurely.

Da Cesari (€€€) – Through de’ Carbonesi, 8, 40123 Bologna BO, Italy.

Osteria Santa Caterina

Picture credit score: Osteria Santa Caterina

Osteria Santa Caterina in Bologna’s San Vitale/Santo Stefano district affords an genuine lasagne alla Bolognese that emphasizes conventional preparation strategies. The restaurant gives an enthralling eating expertise below Bologna’s historic porticoes.

I like the verdant inexperienced of their pasta dough that reveals off the spinach as an important ingredient and never only a background character in a standard dish. But their dedication to high quality doesn’t cease there, as your complete lasagna is created from high-quality substances resembling triplo concentrato di pomodoro and premium Parmigiano cheese.

When the climate is sweet, I like to recommend making a reservation for one of many tables of their outside seating space. It’s the proper place to breathe within the metropolis whereas having fun with probably the greatest lasagne alla Bolognese in Bologna.

Osteria Santa Caterina (€€) – Through Santa Caterina, 43a, 40123 Bologna BO, Italy. 

Ultimate Ideas & Suggestions

Together with a lasagne alla Bolognese expertise in a Bologna meals tour is the proper approach to get a style of this genuine dish within the metropolis that made it well-known. There are numerous nice choices to select from, and Bologna’s lasagna in a number of totally different eating places will solely serve to deepen your connection to this quintessential Italian dish.

Continuously Requested Questions (FAQs)

What makes Bologna’s lasagna totally different?

Lasagne alla Bolognese is made with contemporary spinach-infused pasta (inexperienced dough), wealthy ragù alla Bolognese, creamy béchamel sauce, and a mix of Parmigiano-Reggiano, creating a fragile but deeply flavorful dish.

The place can I discover essentially the most genuine lasagna in Bologna?

Among the greatest spots for genuine lasagne alla Bolognese embrace Da Cesari, Osteria dell’Orsa, and Osteria Santa Caterina. All of that are identified for his or her conventional recipes and handmade pasta.

Are there vegetarian or gluten-free choices?

Whereas basic lasagne alla Bolognese is meat-based, some eating places, like Botanica Lab, supply vegetarian and gluten-free lasagna variations, usually made with lentils or plant-based béchamel.

Ought to I e-book prematurely for lasagna at in style eating places?

Sure, particularly for well-known spots like Da Cesari or Osteria Santa Caterina, the place reservations make sure you get a desk and an opportunity to get pleasure from their well-known lasagna and not using a lengthy wait.

Sources:

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Bologna meals excursions. Consuming Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/bologna/

Consuming Europe. (2022, June 28). High 10 meals to strive in Bologna. Consuming Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/bologna-food/

Botanica Lab. (n.d.). Botanica Lab Cucina. http://www.botanicalab.com/

Osteria Santa Caterina. (n.d.). Osteria Santa Caterina. https://www.osteriasantacaterina.it/

Da Cesari. (n.d.). Da Cesari – Ristorante a Bologna dal 1955. https://www.da-cesari.it/en/homepage-eng/

Ristorante Diana. (n.d.). Ristorante Diana. http://www.ristorante-diana.it/

Osteria dell’Orsa. (n.d.). Osteria dell’Orsa. http://www.osteriadellorsa.it/