There's something magical about rolling fresh pasta dough.
Maybe it's the tactile satisfaction of kneading flour and eggs into silky perfection. Maybe it's the centuries-old tradition you're connecting to with every fold. Or maybe it's just that fresh pasta tastes ridiculously better than anything from a box.
Whatever draws you in, Chicago's pasta making classes deliver. This is a city that takes Italian food seriously — from Taylor Street's old-school red-sauce joints to modern Roman-style trattorias in Logan Square. And the cooking schools here? They're taught by chefs who've trained in Italy, learned from nonnas, and perfected the art of fresh pasta.
Here's where to learn the real deal in 2026.
Quick Comparison: Top Pasta Making Classes in Chicago
| Provider | Rating | Best For | Price Range | Neighborhood | |----------|--------|----------|-------------|--------------| | Tutore - Italian Cooking School | 5.0 (29 reviews) | Traditional Italian techniques | $$ | North Side (Lincoln Park) | | Eataly Chicago | 4.3 (5,173 reviews) | Market access & authentic Italian | $$-$$$ | West Side (Mag Mile) | | The Chopping Block | 4.9 (724 reviews) | Date nights & BYOB classes | $$ | North Side (Lincoln Square) | | The Long Hall Chicago | 4.8 (94 reviews) | Hands-on pasta workshops | $$ | West Side (Logan Square) | | Get in the Kitchen | 5.0 (138 reviews) | Fun, social atmosphere | $$ | North Side (Lakeview) | | World of Whirlpool | 4.8 (53 reviews) | Modern kitchen equipment | $$ | West Side (River North) |
The Best Pasta Making Classes in Chicago
1. Tutore - Italian Cooking School
Authentic Italian • Regional Traditions • Hands-On
Tutore focuses exclusively on real-deal Italian cooking, and their pasta classes are the gold standard. Owner and instructor Mario Tutore brings authentic regional techniques from Italy, teaching you how to make pasta the way it's actually done in Italian homes — not the Americanized shortcuts.
What You'll Learn:
- Fresh egg pasta (tagliatelle, fettuccine, pappardelle)
- Filled pasta techniques (ravioli, tortellini, agnolotti)
- Regional variations from Emilia-Romagna to Tuscany
- Classic sauce pairings (ragù, cacio e pepe, carbonara)
What Makes It Special: The classes emphasize traditional methods and the "why" behind each step. You'll understand dough hydration, gluten development, and how to tell when pasta is perfectly al dente just by feel.
Perfect for: Italian food purists, hands-on learners who want authentic techniques, anyone planning a trip to Italy
Location: 2349 N Lincoln Ave, Lincoln Park
2. Eataly Chicago
Italian Marketplace • Pasta & Beyond • Market Integration
Located inside Chicago's beloved Italian marketplace, Eataly's cooking school puts you steps away from the exact ingredients you'll use. Learn to make fresh pasta in the morning, then shop for imported semolina, San Marzano tomatoes, and Parmigiano-Reggiano to recreate it at home.
What You'll Learn:
- Classic pasta shapes from different Italian regions
- How to build pasta dough using the fountain method
- Rolling and cutting techniques
- Pairing pasta shapes with the right sauces
What Makes It Special: The integration with the marketplace means you can see, touch, and taste the ingredients before you cook with them. Instructors explain which pasta shapes work with which sauces and why.
Perfect for: Ingredient nerds, visual learners, anyone who wants to shop after class
Location: 43 E Ohio St, Magnificent Mile
3. The Chopping Block
BYOB • Date Nights • Technique-Focused
The Chopping Block has been Chicago's go-to cooking school for over two decades, and their pasta classes are legendary. With locations in Lincoln Square and the Merchandise Mart, they offer a welcoming environment where technique matters but perfectionism doesn't.
What You'll Learn:
- Hand-rolled pasta dough without a machine
- Using a pasta roller and cutter effectively
- Shaping techniques for gnocchi, orecchiette, and cavatelli
- Sauce fundamentals and finishing techniques
What Makes It Special: BYOB policy means you can bring wine and make it a proper Italian cooking experience. The instructors are working chefs who share real kitchen wisdom, not just recipes.
Perfect for: Date nights, couples, serious home cooks who appreciate good wine
Location: 4747 N Lincoln Ave, Lincoln Square (also Merchandise Mart location)
Browse The Chopping Block Classes →
4. The Long Hall Chicago
Pasta-Making Workshops • Baking Classes • West Side Charm
The Long Hall specializes in hands-on pasta-making and baking sessions in the heart of Logan Square. This intimate cooking space focuses on traditional techniques with a modern, neighborhood-friendly vibe.
What You'll Learn:
- Traditional Italian pasta shapes
- Fresh vs. dried pasta — when to use which
- How to properly salt pasta water (and why it matters)
- Building flavor through layering techniques
What Makes It Special: Small class sizes mean you get plenty of individual attention. The instructors are patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely excited to share their craft.
Perfect for: Beginners, neighborhood locals, anyone who wants a cozy learning environment
Location: 2337 N Milwaukee Ave, Logan Square
5. Get in the Kitchen
Social Cooking • Group-Friendly • Fun Atmosphere
Get in the Kitchen brings a lively, social energy to cooking classes. Their Italian pasta workshops combine hands-on instruction with entertainment elements, making them perfect for groups who want to learn and have a great time.
What You'll Learn:
- Basic pasta dough fundamentals
- Rolling, cutting, and shaping by hand
- Quick Italian sauces that complement fresh pasta
- Plating and presentation techniques
What Makes It Special: This isn't your quiet, studious cooking class — it's energetic, fun, and perfect for groups. Think karaoke meets culinary education (seriously).
Perfect for: Friend groups, bachelorette parties, anyone who wants cooking class + social event
Location: 3617 N Broadway, Lakeview
6. World of Whirlpool
Modern Kitchen • Italian & Asian Pasta • Equipment-Focused
World of Whirlpool's state-of-the-art kitchen space in River North offers pasta-making classes that span Italian traditions and Asian noodle techniques. The modern equipment and professional setup give you a restaurant-quality learning experience.
What You'll Learn:
- Using professional pasta equipment
- Hand-rolling techniques vs. machine methods
- Italian pasta shapes and Asian noodles
- How kitchen equipment affects your results
What Makes It Special: You'll learn on the same kind of equipment professional kitchens use, which helps you understand what tools you actually need at home (spoiler: fewer than you think).
Perfect for: Equipment enthusiasts, technique nerds, anyone who loves a modern kitchen
Location: 331 N LaSalle St, River North
See World of Whirlpool Classes →
What You'll Actually Learn in a Pasta Making Class
Pasta classes teach more than recipes — they teach feeling. Here's what you'll walk away understanding:
The Dough
- The Magic Ratio: Roughly 100g flour to 1 egg (but you'll learn to adjust by feel)
- Kneading Technique: How to develop gluten without overworking the dough
- Resting Time: Why dough needs to relax (and what happens if you skip it)
- Texture Testing: The dough should feel like a baby's cheek — smooth, soft, slightly elastic
The Rolling
- Hand-Rolling: Traditional techniques using a mattarello (long Italian rolling pin)
- Machine Rolling: How to use a pasta roller to achieve consistent thickness
- The Windowpane Test: Stretch the dough — you should almost see light through it
- Thickness Guide: Different shapes need different thicknesses (pappardelle vs. angel hair)
The Shaping
- Long Pasta: Cutting fettuccine, tagliatelle, pappardelle with precision
- Filled Pasta: Sealing ravioli and tortellini so they don't burst while cooking
- Hand-Shaped Pasta: Rolling gnocchi, shaping orecchiette, forming cavatelli
- The Nest: How to portion and store fresh pasta so it doesn't stick together
The Cooking
- Salting Pasta Water: It should taste like the sea (really)
- Al Dente Timing: Fresh pasta cooks in 2-4 minutes — blink and you'll miss it
- Pasta Water Magic: How starchy pasta water creates silky, emulsified sauces
- The Toss: Finishing pasta in the sauce, not on top of it
Pasta Making Tips for Beginners
Start Simple
Don't begin with tortellini. Master basic egg dough and fettuccine first. Once you can make that blindfolded, move to filled pasta.
Trust Your Hands
Recipes give you measurements, but your hands give you feedback. Does the dough feel too dry? Add water. Too sticky? More flour. Italian nonnas don't measure — they feel.
Don't Skip the Rest
After kneading, let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes. This relaxes the gluten and makes rolling 10x easier. Skipping this step is why your pasta fights back.
Flour Generously While Shaping
Fresh pasta is sticky. Dust your work surface, your rolling pin, and the pasta itself with plenty of flour to prevent sticking.
Cook Immediately or Dry Completely
Fresh pasta should be cooked right away or dried thoroughly before storing. The in-between stage is where mold happens.
Salt Like You Mean It
Pasta water should taste aggressively salty. This is your only chance to season the pasta itself, not just the sauce.
Why Chicago's Pasta Classes Stand Out
Midwest Hospitality Meets Italian Passion
Chicago instructors genuinely want you to succeed. Classes here are smaller, more personal, and focused on making sure you leave confident — not just impressed.
Practical Over Precious
You won't spend three hours making a single tortellini. Chicago pasta classes teach techniques you'll actually use at home — quick doughs, simple shapes, and sauces that don't require 17 ingredients.
The Italian Heritage Connection
Chicago's Italian-American community runs deep, from Taylor Street to Elmwood Park. Many instructors learned from grandmothers who immigrated from Italy, bringing authentic techniques passed down through generations.
BYOB Culture
Many Chicago cooking schools let you bring wine, which is exactly how Italians learn to cook — with a glass in hand, friends around, and zero pretension.
Choosing Your First Pasta Making Class
If you're a beginner: Start with Tutore or The Chopping Block. Both offer beginner-friendly classes with patient instructors.
If you're a couple: The Chopping Block's BYOB classes or The Long Hall's intimate workshops make perfect date nights.
If you're a group: Get in the Kitchen or World of Whirlpool handle larger groups and create a fun, social atmosphere.
If you want authentic Italian: Tutore and Eataly focus on regional Italian traditions and authentic techniques.
If you're serious about technique: The Chopping Block and Tutore emphasize the "why" behind each step, not just the recipe.
Beyond Pasta: Other Italian Classes in Chicago
Many of these schools also offer:
- Risotto Workshops — Learn to cook by feel, not timers
- Pizza & Focaccia Classes — Dough techniques and proper baking methods
- Regional Italian Dinners — Multi-course meals from Tuscany, Sicily, Emilia-Romagna
- Italian Baking — Tiramisu, panna cotta, biscotti, and cannoli
Explore All Italian Cooking Classes in Chicago →
FAQ: Pasta Making Classes in Chicago
Do I need experience to take a pasta class? Nope! Most classes are designed for complete beginners. Instructors walk you through every step, and you'll practice techniques with guidance.
How long do pasta classes typically last? Most pasta-making workshops run 2-3 hours. More comprehensive Italian cooking classes that include multiple courses can last 3-4 hours.
Can I take the pasta I make home? Usually, yes! Most classes either let you eat what you make or take it home (bring a container). Check with the specific class when booking.
What should I bring to a pasta class? Just yourself and an appetite. Schools provide aprons, ingredients, and equipment. If it's BYOB, bring your favorite wine.
Are pasta making classes good for kids? Absolutely. Many schools (like Oui Chef and Junior Chefs Kitchen) offer family-friendly pasta classes designed for kids. Rolling and shaping pasta is tactile, fun, and builds confidence.
What's the best pasta class for a date night? The Chopping Block (BYOB policy) and The Long Hall (intimate setting) are perfect for couples. Tutore is also great if you want to learn authentic techniques together.
Ready to Roll Your Own Pasta?
Chicago's pasta making classes offer more than recipes — they teach you a centuries-old craft, the satisfaction of working with your hands, and the joy of sharing food you made yourself.
Whether you're looking for a romantic date night, a fun group activity, or a serious dive into Italian culinary techniques, Chicago's cooking schools deliver. The city's Italian heritage, Midwestern warmth, and serious food culture create the perfect environment to learn.
Browse All Pasta Making Classes in Chicago →
Explore Italian Cooking Classes →
Find Hands-On Cooking Classes →
Want more Chicago food experiences? Check out our complete guide to Best Cooking Classes in Chicago or dive into The Magic of Italian Cooking Classes.
