Bolognese eggy bread-and-parmesan dumplings extruded through a passatelli press into simmering capon broth, finished with fresh parmesan. The lighter Emilian alternative to tortellini in brodo.

Passatelli are an Emilian creation born of thrift: a way to use stale bread and parmesan rind, extruded into broth instead of made into pasta. The dish dates to the 16th century, with documented Bolognese and Romagnolo versions. The dish appears at every traditional Christmas and Easter table in Emilia-Romagna alongside tortellini in brodo, and stays on every Bologna trattoria menu as the colder-season first course. Trattoria Anna Maria and Sfoglia Rina plate the canonical Bolognese version.

4 editor picks for Passatelli in brodo in Bologna, ranked by editorial score. All Bologna signature dishes · Passatelli in brodo across every city.