Cooking class · Lecco · Lake Como
A Hands-On Pasta Cooking Class for Visitors to Lecco
Lecco sits at the foot of the Grigne, on the quieter eastern arm of Lake Como — a city of mountains, lake and Manzoni's I Promessi Sposi. Our hands-on pasta class is in central Como, an easy train ride away, and it pairs beautifully with an active day on your side of the lake.
Why pair Lecco with a class in Como
Lecco is the working, lived-in city at the south-east tip of the lake, set dramatically beneath the Grigne and forever bound to Alessandro Manzoni's novel I Promessi Sposi. It is less touristy than the western shore and rewards travellers who want hikes, Manzoni's landscapes and a more authentic rhythm. A morning in the mountains and an afternoon making pasta in Como is one of the most satisfying ways to spend a day on Lake Como.
How to reach us from Lecco
An honest word on geography: the two arms of the lake are not directly linked by ferry, so don't plan on a boat between Lecco and Como. The simplest route is the direct Trenord train (Como–Lecco line), which takes around 40 to 50 minutes; by car it's about 40 minutes. We are at Via Teresa Ciceri 10A in central Como, a short walk from the lakefront and the Duomo, so once you arrive everything is close at hand.
- Train: Trenord Como–Lecco, about 40–50 minutes each way
- Car: roughly 40 minutes, then a city car park near the centre
- No cross-lake ferry: ferries serve the central lake, not the Lecco–Como link
What to combine it with
Make a full day of it. Walk the Manzoni trail and the lakefront in Lecco, take the cable car up to Piani d'Erna for the Grigne views, or set off on one of the mountain hikes the area is known for. Then catch the train to Como, drop into the historic centre, and arrive with an appetite well earned. If you'd rather explore first, our things to do in Como guide maps out the lakefront and old town around us.
What you'll cook
Each guest kneads their own ball of dough from flour and eggs; while it rests we run a spritz lesson — build your own Aperol or Campari spritz and drink it as the aperitivo. Then you hand-roll the sfoglia with a wooden matterello, shape your pasta, and everyone sits down to eat what they made, finishing with gelato dressed with a few drops of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena DOP. The method comes from Rina Poletti's Accademia della Sfoglia, where our resident chef trained. Choose your shape from the four masterclasses: Tagliatelle with Fresh Tomato, Tagliatelle with Ragù Bolognese, Ravioloni Verdi with Ricotta or Farfalle e Garganelli with Ragù.
Practical details
The class costs 150 euro per person and runs about three hours, in small groups of up to 12 guests; larger private groups are welcome on request. It's taught in English and French (and Italian), which makes it easy for international visitors based in Lecco. There's no upfront payment — send a request and we'll confirm your date by email or WhatsApp. You can send a booking request in a couple of minutes.
You might also like
- Cooking class from Varenna — the next stop up the eastern shore
- Cooking class from Bellagio — across the central lake
- Cooking class on Lake Como — our overview for visitors from anywhere on the lake
Getting here from Lecco
≈40–50 min by direct train Get directions ↗
A taste of the class
What our guests say
5.0 · 12 Google reviews
Wonderful experience with delicious foods and wines!
Cannot recommend this experience enough! Marco was very knowledgeable and explained every step of the process. Val was extremely helpful with translating and had perfect English. Between the appetizer, main course, and dessert everything was fantastic and one of the best meals I have ever had. We cannot thank Marco, Val, and their mother for the hospitality and unforgettable experience.
More than 5 stars for Val, Marco and Silvana, who welcomed us into their family home to teach us Italian homemade pasta techniques in such a friendly pleasurable way. They made it fun and you can't help but love this family! A perfect family team working together wanting to share their love of traditional Italian food cooked with joy. We loved every minute. Our favorite thing in Como — this authentic Italian family cooking class should be at the top of your list to do! Grazie mille!!!
My mom, sister, daughter, niece and I did the tagliatelle al ragù pasta making class with Mani in Pasta and had such a great time! Val, Marco and Silvana were wonderful teachers and hosts! They are a wealth of knowledge and are happy to share it with you. I would highly recommend this class for anyone interested in learning how to make delicious, authentic Italian pasta. Gelato at the end was a delicious treat.
We had fun and learned so much! They were so knowledgeable and treated us like family. Not to mention the food was delicious (and maybe I can try to recreate it again at home)! They provided insight into the history of Italian food culture that can only come from generations who live here.
Wonderful experience near the center of Como. The cooking class was very detailed, engaging, and enjoyable. I learned a lot and had a great time. Highly recommended!
I loved the experience! A fun and easy way to learn how to make pasta, the REAL pasta. The chef was super friendly and patient, I really enjoyed the environment she created. I definitely recommend this experience, worth the money and the time.
I had a wonderful experience at this cooking class! The atmosphere was warm and welcoming from the very beginning, and the instructor explained everything clearly and with great enthusiasm.
It's a fantastic and unforgettable experience! A warm place with good vibes and atmosphere! Fun and very professional team! If you visit Como, don't miss Mani in Pasta.
Fantastic cooking class! Clear instructions, great atmosphere, fresh ingredients, and delicious homemade pasta. Highly recommended!
5.0 Verified Google reviews
Coming over from Lecco?
Send a request and we'll confirm your date by email or WhatsApp. No upfront payment, 150 euro per person, up to 12 guests.
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