Lasagna, synonymous with a comforting family meal, is far more than layers of pasta, cheese, and tomato sauce. Its story begins in ancient Greece, not modern Italy as many assume. The term 'lasagna' is derived from the Greek word 'Laganon', the first known form of pasta. Laganon wasn't the dish we love today, but thin layers of dough sliced and crushed together, a hint of what was to come.
Fast forward to Rome in the 1st century CE, where a recipe resembling today's lasagna was found in an ancient cookbook. The Romans likely passed the recipe to the British during their invasion. However, it was in Italy during the Middle Ages where lasagna started to take its modern form, with local variations in ingredients and preparation.
The journey of lasagna across the Atlantic to America can be traced back to immigrants from Naples in the 1880s. Gaining popularity, lasagna became a staple in Italian-American households and eventually, a beloved dish nationwide. With simple meat and cheese in the South and vegetable-filled versions on the West Coast, regional variations of lasagna in America encapsulate its adaptability.
In essence, lasagna is a testament to the transformative power of food, adapting and evolving across cultures and centuries. Today, whether it's a simple weekday dinner or a festive holiday meal, lasagna continues to delight palates around the world, carrying with it a piece of culinary history.