National Lasagna Day is an unofficial food holiday celebrated in the United States on July 29th each year. On this day, people across the country come together to honor and enjoy one of the most beloved Italian dishes - lasagna.
Lasagna is a classic pasta dish that is made by layering flat pasta sheets with various ingredients, such as meat, cheese, vegetables, and sauce, and then baking it until it's bubbly and golden brown. The combination of these ingredients creates a hearty and flavorful meal that has become a favorite in many households.
People celebrate National Lasagna Day by preparing and enjoying their favorite lasagna recipes. It can be a fun occasion to experiment with different ingredients and styles of lasagna. Whether you prefer a traditional meaty lasagna, a vegetarian version with layers of vegetables and cheeses, or even a unique twist on the classic recipe, this day is all about indulging in this delicious dish.
Restaurants, and food establishments may also participate in the celebration by offering special lasagna deals or promotions to attract customers and join in the festivities.
Keep in mind that, as an unofficial holiday, National Lasagna Day is not a public holiday, and its origins are not deeply rooted in history or tradition. It is primarily celebrated as a lighthearted way to enjoy and appreciate the lasagna. You don’t have to be Italian or a fat, orange cartoon cat to celebrate National Lasagna Day on July 29. Tomato sauce, cheeses, meat and vegetables — all separated by wide flat noodles — what’s not to love? Lasagna first showed up in Naples, Italy during the Middle Ages and made it to America in the nineteenth century. Since then, Americans have made it all their own.
This National Lasagna Day, head to your favorite Italian restaurant or pre-heat the oven and make your own.
History of National Lasagna Day
The word lasagna originated from Ancient Greece. Essentially, the name stems from the word laganon — the earliest form of pasta. Flattened sheets of dough sliced into thin strips were referred to as laganon of course, the original form was very different from the assembled lasagna dish we enjoy today. Layers of pasta slathered with sauce were present but without the essential Italian ingredients. A similar dish was commonly prepared in ancient Rome, called ‘lasanum,’ which means pot or container in Latin. When referring to the food dish, Italians used the word for pot, which the meal was served in. So the word ‘lasagna’ actually comes from the method of cooking it and not the ingredients.
The process of mixing flour and water dates back to the Middle Ages, resulting in lasagna as a popular dish. In 1284, Salimbene di Adam described a chubby friar indulging in lasagna, saying, “I’ve never seen anyone stuffing himself on lasagna with cheese so pleasurably and so fully as him.”
The lasagna cooked in Northern Italy uses flat noodles, while the noodles used in Southern Italy are rippled.
The ingredients Italians use in the recipe depend on their family’s tradition and heritage.
This may be around the time cheese was incorporated into the recipe. Adding egg to the dough didn’t popularize until the Renaissance period.
Tomato made its appearance in the recipe in Naples in the 1880s. Layering lasagna became trendy in the 19th century, thanks to Francesco Also in the late 1800s, Italian immigrants brought their recipes, featuring béchamel, ragù, and America. The meat sauce was tweaked according to preference, while others added vegetables to the layers.
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