NATIONAL TODAY Saturday JULY 29 National Lasagna Day

National Lasagna Day
You don’t have to be Italian or a fat, orange cartoon cat to celebrate!






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. So this National Lasagna Day, head to your favorite Italian restaurant or pre-heat the oven and make your own.

When is National Lasagna Day 2023?

Indulge in the warm and cheesy layers of a rich and delicious lasagna on National Lasagna Day on July 29.

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 Zambrini from Bologna. Also in the late 1800s, Italian immigrants brought their recipes, featuring béchamel, ragù, and Parmigiano-Reggiano to America. The meat sauce was tweaked according to preference, while others added vegetables to the layers.


National Lasagna Day Around the World

National Lasagna Day is one of many food holidays celebrated throughout the world. Here are some other popular ones from across the globe.

National Lasagna Day Around the World

Country Holiday Occasion Date

International International Shawarma Day The king of wrap-style food is celebrated. February 13

Australia Laksa Day This spicy noodle dish gets its own day! Last Sunday in November

South Korea Black Day Black day is for single people in Korea — they celebrate by eating black noodles. April 14

Germany National Soup Day As the winter begins to set in, our friends in Germany get warmed up with a bowl of soup. November 19

Brazil Pizza Day Pizza is honored and celebrated with a variety of styles, crusts, and toppings! August 31

Traditions of the Day

National Lasagna Day is the perfect opportunity for everyone to indulge in the Italian pasta dish, heaped with a meaty sauce and ooey-gooey cheese between the layers. Lasagna has become the pinnacle of Italian-American cuisine and an Italian menu would be incomplete without it.

Cooking and baking lasagna IS a tradition. Families bond over this dish with stories of first attempts and perfecting the pasta, sharing the family recipe and secret ingredients with the next generation, and then digging into the mountain of meaty goodness over a bottle of wine and hearty laughter. Having lasagna cook-offs, followed by tasting and comparing the final dishes is also a fun way to celebrate the day. If cooking is not your thing, many people dine at their favorite Italian restaurants.


National Lasagna Day Activities

   Try a new recipe

   Since there are so many different options for cooking lasagna, you should have little problem finding a great new recipe. If you want to try a lasagna with meatballs or even straight up vegetarian, you’ll easily find recipes for both. You may end up finding a new variety that you like even better than grandma’s. (Just don’t tell her.)

   Search for "Garfield" lasagna references

   Pick up a few Garfield comic books and enjoy watching him scarf down pan after pan of lasagna. You’re sure to find a few laughs — even if it’s Monday.

   Treat yourself

   If making lasagna at home is a little more than you want to tackle, consider traveling to a nearby Italian restaurant. Chances are these restaurants will offer more than one type, giving you a chance to try something new. Or, the restaurant may have a classic recipe that perfects this classic Italian dish.