National Tortellini Day is celebrated each year on February 13. Although its founder is not officially recorded, the day honors a pasta shape that dates back to the late 1500s in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna.
Tortellini is a small, ring-shaped stuffed pasta traditionally filled with ham, white meat, and Parmesan cheese and served in broth. When made from scratch, each piece is folded by hand, a process that takes patience and careful technique. Store-bought tortellini are usually shaped by machines for faster production.
A well-known legend says that an innkeeper in Castelfranco Emilia once caught a glimpse of the goddess Venus through a keyhole. Inspired by the shape of her navel, he created a pasta in its image. Because of this story, tortellini is sometimes called the navel of Venus.
To protect its traditional recipe, a cultural group known as the Learned Order of the Tortellini works to preserve authentic preparation methods. National Tortellini Day recognizes both the history of this pasta and the craftsmanship behind every folded piece.
How People Celebrate National Tortellini Day
National Tortellini Day on February 13 is a chance to enjoy this traditional Italian pasta in both classic and modern ways.
- 👩🍳 Make It from Scratch: Roll out fresh pasta dough, cut small circles, add filling, and fold each piece by hand. It’s a hands-on way to understand how much skill goes into traditional tortellini.
- 🍲 Serve It the Traditional Way: Prepare tortellini in brodo—served in a clear capon or meat broth, as it is commonly enjoyed in the Emilia-Romagnaregion of Italy.
- 🧀 Try Classic Fillings: Use traditional ingredients such as prosciutto, white meat, ricotta, and Parmesan for an authentic taste.
- 🌿 Experiment with New Flavors: Some people explore modern versions with pumpkin and sage, truffle and ricotta, or serve fried tortellini as appetizers. Tortellini pasta salads are also popular for gatherings or office lunches.
- 🍽️ Visit an Italian Restaurant: Local Italian restaurants often feature their own versions, sometimes with different sauces or creative twists.
- 📱 Celebrate Online: Post photos of your homemade dish or restaurant meal using #NationalTortelliniDay to join the celebration.
🍝 National Tortellini Day Upcoming Dates
National Tortellini Day is observed every year on February 13 . The date stays the same each year, while the weekday changes. It is celebrated one day before Valentine’s Day.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | February 13 | Friday |
| 2027 | February 13 | Saturday |
| 2028 | February 13 | Sunday |
| 2029 | February 13 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | February 13 | Wednesday |
