Lasagne
A layered pasta dish with ancient roots and regional Italian variations.
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Sambawamba · via Wikipedia: Lasagna · CC BY-SA 4.0
Lasagne, also known in the singular form as lasagna, is a type of pasta made in wide, flat sheets, originating in Italian cuisine. It is best known for its use in a baked dish made by stacking layers of pasta with fillings such as ragù, béchamel sauce, vegetables, and cheeses, then baked in an oven. Regional variations of this dish are found across Italy, and the term itself has a complex etymology with possible roots in ancient Roman and Greek words.
Lore & Background
Lasagna originated in Italy during the Middle Ages. The oldest known written reference appears in a 1282 ballad transcribed by a Bolognese notary, part of the Memoriali Bolognesi.
A similar 1284 reference in Salimbene di Adam's Cronica mentions 'lagana cum caseo' (lasagna with cheese). The first recorded recipe was set down in the early 14th century in the Liber de Coquina, featuring fermented dough flattened into thin sheets, boiled, sprinkled with cheese and spices, and eaten with a small pointed stick. Later recipes recommended boiling the pasta in chicken broth and dressing it with cheese and chicken fat, with a Lenten version using walnuts.
The word 'lasagna' may derive from the Greek 'laganon' (a flat sheet of pasta dough) or from the Greek 'lasana'/'lasanon' (meaning 'trivet' or 'cooking pot'), which the Romans borrowed as 'lasanum'. A 14th-century English dish called 'loseyn' described in The Forme of Cury shows similarities in layering ingredients between pasta sheets, though it lacked tomatoes, which did not arrive in Europe until after 1492. Regional usage in Italy favors the plural 'lasagne' in the north and the singular 'lasagna' in the south, influencing British and American English spellings respectively.
Reader's Guide
Lasagne holds a significant place in Italian culinary history and global cuisine. Its earliest documented references from the 13th century establish it as one of the oldest known pasta dishes. The dish evolved from a simple boiled pasta with cheese to the complex layered baked dish known today, with regional variations reflecting local ingredients and traditions.
In Emilia-Romagna, lasagne al forno with ragù and béchamel became the most common version outside Italy, while Neapolitan lasagne features sausage, meatballs, eggs, and ricotta. The dish was traditionally served during religious celebrations, when meat was more commonly eaten. In modern times, industrial dried lasagne sheets are made from durum wheat semolina, while traditional northern Italian dough used flour and eggs.
The dish's adaptability has led to countless variations, including green pasta from spinach, and versions with pesto or mushrooms. Lasagne's cultural impact extends to the United States, where Lasagna Day is celebrated on 29 July, and where Italian-American recipes often use ricotta instead of béchamel, showing Neapolitan influence. Its enduring popularity stems from its versatility, rich flavors, and ability to serve as a hearty, celebratory meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lasagne?
Lasagne (singular: lasagna) is a pasta made in wide, flat sheets, best known for the baked layered dish that stacks those sheets with fillings like ragù, béchamel, vegetables, and cheese before going into the oven. It is a staple of Italian cuisine and one of the most recognizable pasta preparations worldwide.
Where did Lasagne originate?
Lasagne is rooted in Italian culinary tradition, with the Emilia-Romagna region—especially Bologna—most closely tied to the classic layered version. That said, regional variations of the dish can be found throughout Italy.
What are the key ingredients in a traditional Lasagne?
The essential components are flat pasta sheets layered with ragù, béchamel sauce, and cheeses such as ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Some regional recipes also fold in vegetables.
How old is Lasagne as a dish?
The earliest written reference to Lasagne dates to 1282, and the first recorded recipe appears in the early 14th-century cookbook Liber de Coquina. Its name may trace back to ancient Roman or Greek roots, hinting at an even older culinary lineage.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Lasagna (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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