Lasagna, main dish from Italy: what it is and how it is eaten

Lasagna is a baked Italian dish made by stacking wide pasta sheets with fillings such as meat ragù, béchamel sauce, cheese, and sometimes vegetables. Originating in Italy during the Middle Ages, it is now found in many regional forms and is often served at festive occasions as well as everyday meals.

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Lasagna dates back to at least the 13th century in Italy
Traditional lasagna is layered with ragù, béchamel, and cheese
Neapolitan lasagna is eaten at Carnival and includes sausage and meatballs
Lasagna alla bolognese is famous for its meat sauce and béchamel layers
Green pasta sheets are used in Ferrara’s version

What is Lasagna?

Lasagna is a baked dish built from wide, flat pasta sheets layered with sauces, cheese, and a variety of fillings. The most common fillings include a meat-based ragù, creamy béchamel sauce, and grated cheeses such as Parmesan, ricotta, or mozzarella. Some versions add vegetables or hard-boiled eggs. The dish is cooked in the oven until the top is golden and bubbling, with the layers melding together into a rich, hearty meal.

Where does Lasagna come from?

Lasagna traces its roots to Italy in the Middle Ages, with the earliest known mention from Bologna in 1282. Early recipes called for thin sheets of fermented dough, boiled and sprinkled with cheese and spices. The dish evolved over centuries, with regional differences emerging across Italy. The name may come from Greek or Latin words for flat dough or cooking pot, and similar layered pasta dishes existed in medieval England. Tomatoes, now common in lasagna, were only introduced to Europe in the 16th century.

How is Lasagna made?

To make lasagna, pasta sheets are first cooked or softened. These are layered in a baking dish with fillings that can include a slow-cooked meat sauce (ragù), béchamel (a white sauce made from butter, flour, and milk), and cheeses. The process is repeated for several layers, finishing with sauce and cheese on top. The assembled dish is then baked until the top is browned and the layers are set. Traditional dough in the north uses flour and eggs, while the south uses semolina and water.

Lasagna is a type of sheet pasta. Photo: Popo le Chien, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Lasagna eaten?

Lasagna is usually served hot as a main course at lunch or dinner. It is enjoyed both as an everyday meal and at special occasions, especially during festivals like Carnival and Christmas in some regions. The dish is often cut into squares and served straight from the baking dish. In Italy, it may be accompanied by wine and eaten with family or friends. The hearty, layered nature makes it popular for gatherings and celebrations.

Kinds of Lasagna

Regional versions of lasagna are found throughout Italy. In Bologna, lasagne alla bolognese uses ragù, béchamel, and Parmesan. Naples has lasagne di Carnevale, with sausage, meatballs, eggs, ricotta, and mozzarella. Ferrara features green pasta with meats and sometimes chicken livers. In Genoa, lasagne alla genovese combines béchamel and pesto. The Marche region’s vincisgrassi includes mushrooms and offal. Modern and international versions often adapt the fillings and cheeses.

What Lasagna means

Lasagna is closely tied to Italian identity and family gatherings. In some regions, it is a festive dish for Carnival or Christmas. The dish’s many local forms reflect Italy’s regional diversity. Outside Italy, lasagna has become a symbol of Italian cuisine, with American and global versions adapting the classic layers. Its presence at celebrations and its adaptability have made it a beloved comfort food in many cultures.

When Lasagna is on the table

Christmas Day

Questions people ask about Lasagna

What is lasagna made of?

Lasagna is made by layering wide pasta sheets with fillings such as meat ragù, béchamel sauce, and cheeses like Parmesan, ricotta, or mozzarella. Some versions also include vegetables or hard-boiled eggs.

Where does lasagna come from?

Lasagna originated in Italy during the Middle Ages, with early references from Bologna and other regions. It has since become popular worldwide, with many regional and international variations.

Is lasagna always made with meat?

No, while many traditional recipes use meat ragù, there are also versions with vegetables or adapted for religious fasting, making lasagna a dish that can vary in its ingredients.

How is lasagna traditionally cooked?

Lasagna is assembled by layering cooked pasta sheets with sauces and fillings in a baking dish, then baked in the oven until the top is golden and the layers are set.

Are there different types of lasagna in Italy?

Yes, Italy has many regional lasagna recipes. Bologna uses ragù and béchamel, Naples adds sausage and meatballs for Carnival, and Ferrara uses green pasta with meats. Each region puts its own stamp on the dish.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lasagna", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Lasagna