--- title: "Regional Italian Cuisine: Emilia-Romagna" description: Nestled between the Alps and the Apennines, Emilia-Romagna serves up a food culture that rivals all other Italian regions. image: https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/Beautiful%20landscape%20of%20hillside%20home%20in%20Emilia-Romagna,%20Italy.jpg --- [![Paesana Logo](https://www.paesana.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/paesana-flat-logo.png?noresize&width=180&name=paesana-flat-logo.png)](https://www.paesana.com/) [pasta](https://www.paesana.com/blog/topic/pasta), [italian food](https://www.paesana.com/blog/topic/italian-food), [cured meat](https://www.paesana.com/blog/topic/cured-meat), [pork](https://www.paesana.com/blog/topic/pork), [prosciutto](https://www.paesana.com/blog/topic/prosciutto), [cheese](https://www.paesana.com/blog/topic/cheese), [regional](https://www.paesana.com/blog/topic/regional) # Regional Italian Cuisine: Emilia-Romagna Nestled between the Alps and the Apennines, Emilia-Romagna serves up a food culture that rivals all other Italian regions. By [Paesana](https://www.paesana.com/blog/author/paesana) 10.30.20 | 3 min read [![Beautiful landscape of hillside home in Emilia-Romagna, Italy](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/Beautiful%20landscape%20of%20hillside%20home%20in%20Emilia-Romagna,%20Italy.jpg)](https://www.paesana.com/blog/italian-regional-cuisine-emilia-romagna) [** Blog](https://www.paesana.com/blog) Some say that the secret to incredible cuisine boils down to one basic element: Geography. And that might be precisely what makes the food from Emilia-Romagna stand out from other Italian regions.  Planted firmly in Northern Italy, where the Alps meet the Apennine Mountains, Emilia-Romagna could easily be dubbed “food valley.” The Po River snakes straight through the middle of this fertile land, contributing to the rich soil that feeds fruits, vegetables, cereal crops, and livestock. The Po River eventually leads to the Adriatic Sea, which nets the region a veritable bounty of fish and seafood. Though always referred to as one, Emilia-Romagna are two distinct areas. Emilia sits to the north and west, and includes the cities of Piacenza, Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and Ferrara. As for Romagna, there you’ll find Ravenna, Forli, Cesena, and, of course, Bologna. The two parts of this region offer different types of gastronomic delicacies, Emilia cuisine based heavily on pork, and Romagna delving more into lighter fare.  But when the two are combined, passionate eaters are met with some of the most famous foods, not only in Italy, but in the world. There’s Parmigiano-Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, prosciutto di Parma, tortellini in brodo, and bolognese sauce. We’re sure you’ve heard of those delicious and warmly comforting foods before! In celebration of Emilia-Romagna, let’s take a look at the cuisine that we believe to be the heart of classic Italian home cooking.  ## Cheese The Po River feeds the lush Po Valley, where the cattle are extremely happy and well fed. This harmonious existence inspires the grazing beasts to produce truly exceptional cheese, the most famous being Parmigiano-Reggiano. Every Italian-American refrigerator has a wedge or container of Parmigiano-Reggiano (or Parmesan), just waiting to be added to pasta dishes and more. The firm, yet delicate flavor permeates all food it graces, adding a bite so singular that you’d swear you can taste the pasture. Other famous cheeses of this region include Raviggiolo, Grana Padano, and Provolone Valpadana.  ## Salumi There’s no better way to follow a wedge of good Italian cheese than with a mouthful of salumi. For many of us, Prosciutto di Parma was the gateway Italian coldcut of our youth—lusciously savory with a quick kiss of sweetness, the famous Parma ham shines in unadulterated brilliance. But that’s not the only cured pork to come out of Emilia-Romagna, where fallen chestnuts feed and flavor region’s pig and boars. And like any good charcuterie board, there’s many other varieties of salumi to indulge your most base carnivorous cravings. These include Mortadella di Bologna, Coppa Piacentina, and the absolute apex of cured pork, the highly prized Culatello di Zibello.  ***Read about some of our favorite Italian cured meats ***[***here***](https://www.paesana.com/blog/get-to-know-italian-cured-meats)***!***   > Planted firmly in Northern Italy, where the Alps meet the Apennine Mountains, Emilia-Romagna could easily be dubbed “food valley.”     ## Balsamic Vinegar  Vineyards stretch across the rolling land of Emilia-Romagna, providing another vital component of the region’s cuisine. But we’re not talking about wine. Instead, it’s all about balsamic vinegar in this part of Italy. Mainly produced in the city of Modena, the balsamic vinegar of Emilia-Romagna is a deep glossy color, with a syrupy consistency and complex flavor and aroma combination best found in roasted meats and sharpens salads.  ## Bolognese Ragù There’s a sauce that comes from the city of Bologna that you’ve likely eaten many, many times—it’s called [Bolognese](https://www.paesana.com/blog/bolognese-the-allure-of-italian-meat-sauce) and it’s the meaty sauce that rules the land in Northern Italy. Melding together the savory richness of pork and beef (or veal), Bolognese simmers slowly for hours until the flavors reach heights rivaling the Alps. Though Bolognese Ragù finds a delicious home atop most kinds of pasta, Emilia-Romagna tradition calls for fresh ribbons of tagliatelle pasta, which rounds out the hearty dish with sleep-inducing comfort.  ## Tortellini in Brodo Speaking of comfort, no other food comes close to the warm hug that is Tortellini in Brodo. An uncomplicated dish that is greater than the sum of its parts, this iconic offering of Northern Italy is simply a bowl of stuffed tortellini pasta floating and submerged in a pristine chicken broth. The tortellini is typically filled with local cuts of pork salumi, along with flavorful flecks of Parmigiano-Reggiano. It’s the stuff of memories—perhaps a sick day at nani’s spent slurping a bowl of this heartwarming, body-healing broth. A taste and experience owed to the traditions of Emilia-Romagna.  ***Continue the journey through Italy’s regional cuisines with our delicious takes on ***[***Sicily***](https://www.paesana.com/blog/regional-italian-cuisine-sicily)*** and ***[***Naples***](https://www.paesana.com/blog/regional-italian-cuisine-naples)***!*** ###### Subscribe to the Blog ###### Featured Sauce [![Paesana Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Sauce%20Photos/paesana-marinara-sauce.png) ###### Marinara ](https://www.paesana.com/products/pasta-sauce#products-1) ###### Featured Articles ###### Featured Articles - [![upclose shot of uncooked penne, ziti and rigatoni](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/penne-ziti-rigatoni-uncooked-pasta-upclose.jpg)](https://www.paesana.com/blog/lets-talk-about-pasta-the-difference-between-penne-ziti-and-rigatoni) [Let’s Talk About Pasta: Comparing Penne, Ziti, and Rigatoni](https://www.paesana.com/blog/lets-talk-about-pasta-the-difference-between-penne-ziti-and-rigatoni) They look similar, but short-tube pasta, such as penne, ziti, and ... - [![assortment of dishes on a table including fish, spaghetti with seafood, bread](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/feast-of-the-seven-fishes.jpg)](https://www.paesana.com/blog/feast-of-the-seven-fishes-an-italian-american-christmas-eve-legacy) [Feast Of The Seven Fishes: An Italian-American Christmas Eve Legacy](https://www.paesana.com/blog/feast-of-the-seven-fishes-an-italian-american-christmas-eve-legacy) Christmas is the time of traditions—like the Italian-American Feast ... - [![Penne ala vodka on plate with utensils and tomatoes on the side](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/Blog-Template3.jpg)](https://www.paesana.com/blog/the-story-behind-the-sauce-vodka) [The Story Behind The Sauce: Vodka](https://www.paesana.com/blog/the-story-behind-the-sauce-vodka) Vodka sauce dishes such as penne alla vodka burst onto the Italian ... - [![Side by side shots of tortellini and ravioli dishes from overhead ](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/Blog-Template.jpg)](https://www.paesana.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-ravioli-tortellini) [What’s The Difference Between Ravioli & Tortellini?](https://www.paesana.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-ravioli-tortellini) Ravioli are square and tortellini are ring shaped, but both make for ... - [![assortment of dried pastas ](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/assortments-of-dry-and-fresh-pasta.jpg)](https://www.paesana.com/blog/fresh-pasta-vs.-dry-pasta-boiling-down-the-differences) [Fresh Pasta vs. Dry Pasta: Boiling Down The Differences](https://www.paesana.com/blog/fresh-pasta-vs.-dry-pasta-boiling-down-the-differences) When cooking an Italian meal, is fresh pasta or dry pasta the better ... - [![Closeup of osso buco made of cross cut veal shank with oranges and tomatoes](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/Closeup-of-osso-buco-made-of-cross-cut-veal-shank-with-oranges-and-tomatoes.jpg)](https://www.paesana.com/blog/most-romantic-italian-meals) [Most Romantic Italian Meals](https://www.paesana.com/blog/most-romantic-italian-meals) Paesana’s top dishes to cook for someone you love on Valentine’s Day ... ![Paesana Logo](https://www.paesana.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/paesana-flat-logo.png?noresize&width=300&name=paesana-flat-logo.png) ###### About Paesana - [The Paesana Tradition](https://www.paesana.com/the-paesana-tradition) - [Family History](https://www.paesana.com/history) - [Paesana Process](https://www.paesana.com/paesana-process) - [Family Recipes](https://www.paesana.com/family-recipes) - [Commercial Services](https://www.paesana.com/commercial-services) - [Blog](https://www.paesana.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.paesana.com/contact) ###### Our Products - [Pasta Sauce](https://www.paesana.com/products/pasta-sauce) - [PAESANA RESERVE](https://www.paesana.com/products/paesana-reserve) - [Cooking Sauce](https://www.paesana.com/products/cooking-sauce) - [Organic Sauce](https://www.paesana.com/products/organic-sauce) - [Pizza Sauce](https://www.paesana.com/products/pizza-sauce) - [Condiments](https://www.paesana.com/products/condiments) - [Olives](https://www.paesana.com/products/olives) [**Facebook Icon](https://www.facebook.com/Paesana-844659075568834/) [**Instagram Icon](https://www.instagram.com/paesanagourmetspecialties/) Copyright 2025. 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