Pazzini netted only five times for Inter last term, but cut an inspired figure as Milan collected their first league win of the season having lost 1-0 to Sampdoria a week ago at the San Siro in their Serie A opener.
The front man seemed to dive to win his side a penalty on 16 minutes after having his shirt tugged by Nicolo Cherubin, but picked himself up off the deck to slam the penalty low and hard to the right that left Bologna keeper Federico Agliardi with no chance.
Bologna - inspired by the outstanding Alessandro Diamanti throughout the evening - were rewarded for a period of sustained exuberance when they deservedly equalised on 41 minutes.
Antonio Nocerino inexplicably decked Diamanti as he bounded away from goal on the edge of the box. The referee correctly pointed to the spot as Diamanti - who scored the clinching penalty that sent England tumbling out of Euro 2012 - swept the ball home in the Bologna rain.
The game swung from end to end in the second period, but MIlan plunged a dagger into the heart of the home side when Agliardi dropped Luca Antonini's deflected cross on 77 minutes enabling Pazzini to sweep the ball into the net from close range.
Pazzini finished matters off on 85 minutes with a delightful backheel finish inside the Bologna box from a Nocerino strike that was clearly heading wide of goal to thrill the band of travelling fans.
Nigel De Jong made his debut for Milan as a second-half substitute and was booked for a late challenge while Bojan Krkic was also wheeled on for the closing moments of a win that will probably be of some relief to head coach Massimiliano Allegri.
The 3-1 scoreline probably flattered Milan, but all that matters are the three points.
There was an easier win for Torino, who brushed aside 10-man Pescara 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico with Alessandro Sgrigna (34), Matteo Brighi (59) and Rolando Bianchi (62) on target for the home side.
The floodgates appeared to open after Christian Terlizzi was sent off on the 27th minute after fouling Bianchi to concede a penalty. Mattia Perin dived to his right to save Bianchi's penalty, but it was not to make a difference to the one-sided nature of the contest.
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