Lasagna in Italy: why the original version of this dish will surprise you?

When it comes to lasagna, most of us think of a dish full of mozzarella cheese and sauce; Heavy and delicious food that is more like a layered work of art; But if you travel to Italy with this idea, you will probably face a surprising reality.

Italian lasagna is something completely different from the modified American versions. For locals, lasagna means a lighter meal, with fewer ingredients, but of higher quality. These differences in ingredients, history and even the occasion for which lasagna is cooked make the experience of eating lasagna in Italy much more special and surprising.

History of lasagna: one of the oldest dishes in Italy

Lasagna is one of the oldest Italian dishes, which is confirmed by archaeological evidence. Ancient Etruscan paintings from the 4th century BC show pasta making tools and people eating lasagna. The first Roman cookbook from the 1st century AD, De Re Coquinaria, describes a dish of layered dough, meat and cheese that is very similar to today’s lasagna. The version most similar to today’s lasagna appeared in the 14th-century medieval cookbook Liber de Coquina, which consisted of layers of dough baked with cheese and spices.

Regional variation of lasagna in Italy

But lasagna in Italy as it is served in one region, may be completely different in another region. For example, the famous lasagna, which most Italians know as an example of this food, comes from the Emilia-Romania region and consists of only three ingredients: thin layers of pasta, ragù or Bolognese sauce, and béchamel. But if you order lasagna in Naples, you will likely encounter local sausage, small meatballs, mozzarella, ricotta, and even hard-boiled eggs. In the “Liguria” region, instead of tomato sauce, you may get green lasagna with pesto sauce and béchamel with parmesan cheese and pine nuts.

However, despite the vast differences between these regional versions, they all have one thing in common; Lasagna is not an everyday dish in Italy. For Italians, lasagna is a special dish cooked for special occasions such as Christmas, weddings or important parties. They don’t typically use microwave-ready lasagna; This dish requires a lot of time and attention, and cooking rego sauce alone can take hours; So, if you’re ordering lasagna at an authentic Italian restaurant, prepare yourself for a special treat; The food that every “nana” is proud of. You are in Italy, so enjoy every moment!