Think of lasagna – ooey-gooey cheese, piping hot, flavorful sauce, hearty fillings– isn't it any wonder why Garfield is always seen munching on generous servings of this appetizing pasta dish? Lasagna may be strongly associated with Italian and Italian-American cuisine yet its enchanting blend of layered pasta, sauce and cheese has won over hearts globally.
Louie Sparagis who owns The Shady Lady, Crave Astoria, and The Oven pizzeria in Astoria N.Y., ranks the versatility of lasagna along with its palette-pleasing qualities as key factors to its widespread appeal:
"A myriad ingredients can make up an excellent Lasagna catering to every palate", he says," ranging from ground beef or turkey to vegetables or even roasted variations thereof coupled with irresistible sauces and cheeses - virtually endless options".
Additionally he opines," The delicious layers within a piece of lasagne impart satisfaction while inducing warmth akin home", noting that generous portions typically served often enhance its attractiveness. "It serves as the perfect sociable offering at group settings where it unfailingly elicits appreciation'", he adds.
Sparagis believes careful attention during preparation separates good from great when it comes down to Lasagne creation. He advices enthusiastic seasoning use, preference for San Marzano tomatoes purée for creating tangy sauces alongside incorporating meat mixtures lending depth to flavors. Further elaborating "Although ricotta might seem like an obvious ingredient choice nothing surpasses homemade béchamel which imparts a unique layer to the overall taste of lasagna."
To conclude it's fair to say, Lasagne features as an iconic crowd-pleaser holding treasured memories and remains popular among varying cross-sections of society. Fear not if you lack time/resources or are disappointed by frozen variants since numerous American restaurant chains serve wonderful renditions.
Find featured below our well researched top eatery picks known for their exceptional lasagna offerings.
Maggiano's Little Italy
Maggiano's / Facebook Mom's Lasagna: 1,040 cal, 65 g fat (32 g saturated fat, 2 g trans fat), 3,240 mg sodium, 56 g carbs (7 g fiber, 19 g sugar), 60 g protein
Maggiano's Little Italy has captivated food enthusiasts and culinary experts alike with its selection of traditional Italian dishes. Many regard its signature lasagna as one of the highlights.
Their Mom's Lasagna keeps to classic flavours featuring layers of marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, perfectly seasoned beef and Italian sausage. The terms "Perfect" and "Delicious" are among many mouth-watering descriptors customers have used for this menu option.
Chef Jonathan Scinto—a renowned content creator, food artist and television host—previously told us that when he eats at Maggiano's his first choice is always Mom's Lasagna.
"It's sophisticated yet robust, exactly the right balance of flavor - just perfect to satiate my hunger during a romantic lunch", he remarked.
Cheers to Bravo! Italian Kitchen
Bravo! Italian Kitchen's Lasagna: 1,210 calories, 77 grams of fat (42 grams is saturated), 3,140 milligrams of sodium, 65 grams of carbohydrates (which includes 2 gram's fiber and 9 gram's sugar), and lastly a massive dose of protein at 67 grams.
For some Americans, dining at Bravo! Italian Kitchen might be impossible due to its primary operating locations being centered predominantly in the South and Midwest. Nonetheless if you have craving for lasagna and are nearby one of their establishments, know that they do serve a remarkably loved iteration of this much-loved dish.
In addition to featuring the chain's iconic meat sauce along with ricotta & mozzarella toppings , the standout element in Bravo's lasagna has to be it's home-style Alfredo. This lasagne clearly gets plenty fan adoration (as testimoned by customers on Yelp along with appreciation from professional chefs. A case in point being New York City executive chef - Brandon Fay who owns both the acclaimed institutions -Pasta By Hudson & The Perry Club.
Carabba's Italian Grill
Carabba's Italian Grill Lasagne: 1,050 cal, 60 g fat (31 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 2,550 mg sodium, 68 g carbs (9 g fiber, 15 g sugar), 57 g protein
Carabba's Italian Grill presents a uniquely flavorful and cheesy variation of traditional lasagna. The menu delicacy uses fresh pasta layered with Carabba's specialty pomodoro sauce, combined with meat sauce and adorned by ricotta, parmesan, romano and mozzarella cheese.
A variety of patrons, culinary experts as well as famed singer-songwriter Ben Rector have endorsed this dish.
Rector made a public statement on the platform X (previously known as Twitter): "Let me know if there is anything superior to @Carrabbas lasagna because I believe there isn't," he [shared.] (https://x.com/benrector/status/379772774232772608?s=20)
Johnny Carino's
Johnny Carino's offers a Fresh-Baked Lasagna which contains 853 calories, 51 grams of fat (23 grams saturated fat), 2193 mg sodium, 49 g carbs (5 g fiber,10 sugar), and packs in an impressive 48g protein.
If you happen to be visiting any of the 35 Johnny Carino's outlets spread over the South, West or Midwest regions, it is recommended that you try out their popular lasagna dish- customers are all praises about it!
Introducing Johnny's Fresh-Baked Lasagna; this delicacy combines layers of pasta with Italian sausage, beef meat sauce ricotta cheese mozzarella parmesan creating one delicious ensemble! One fervent customer last year proclaimed this lasagna as "unreal" on Yelp!
However, if you're planning to order the highly sought after lasagna from Johnny Cariano's make sure you do so earlier in your meal timeline as they are only available till stock lasts. Patrons have also "warned" that these mouth-watering delights run out quickly at this restaurant chain.
Fazoli's
Fazoli's Baked Lasagna has a calorie content of 670, comprised of 28 g fat (15 g saturated fat), 2,670 mg sodium, 73 g carbs (8 g fiber, 14 g sugar), and provides around 35 g protein.
Before you brush off the idea of enjoying lasagna from a drive-thru service, consider trying out Fazoli's. Over time innumerable customers have continually expressed immense affection towards this regional chain establishment's rendition of the warm dish.
Their luring variety of baked lasagna is composed delicately with layers containing meat sauce along with mozzarella and provolone cheese. Their impressive fast-casual business model equips one with an ability to procure an order quite rapidly. As per customer reviews the taste simply is "worth dying for". To top it all each order accompanies two very special garlic breadsticks. These perfectly absorb residual sauce or cheese making your meal seeped in ultimate satisfaction.
Buca di Beppo
Buca di Beppo Lasagna: 400 cal, 19 g fat (10 g saturated fat), 1,320 mg sodium, 34 g carbs (6 g fiber, 13 g sugar), 24 g protein
Among all the restaurants on this roster,Buca di Beppo's lasagna stands out as an excellent feast when catering for a large group. With sky-high layers of meat sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella and provolone cheeses; served in their signature family-style sizes -a small supposedly feeds three while a large can satiate five people. So whenever you choose to indulge in this dish make sure you've either got good company or a mammoth appetite.
"The unique taste of the lasagna is derived from perfectly cooked pasta paired with homemade meat and sauteed sauce that perfectly blend together," one satisfied customer lauded on Yelp.
Olive Garden
Olive Garden Lasagna Classico: 500 cal, 30 g fat (16 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 1,290 mg sodium, 33 g carbs (3 g fiber, 7 g sugar), and a whopping amount of protein; about 29 grams.
Can there really be any comprehensible ranking of the finest servings of lasagna that doesn't mention Olive Garden? The Lasagna Classico is an enduring mainstay at this Italian-American food hub. It's undoubtedly beloved by many patrons even as we approach mid-2023.
"No other pleasure equals enjoying Olive Garden's sumptuous lasagna," wrote one enthusiast on X platform just last month - such was their testament to its exquisiteness (source).
This dish is freshly made each day comprising flavorful layers upon layers of pasta mixed in with parmesan cheese. Also included are mozzarella and pecorino romano cheeses in addition to Olive Garden's special homemade meat sauce. For when you feel like spoiling yourself with indulgence overload; Olive garden equally has on offer a repurposed fried version 'Lasagne Fritta'. This variant comes topped with Parmesan-breaded lasagne crowned elegantly with generous quantities of parmesan cheese atop beef sauce and served adjacent to creamy Alfredo sauce.
Old Spaghetti Factory
Old Spaghettic Factory Lasagna: 820 cal, 45 g fat (22 g saturated fat), 2,250 mg sodium, 61 g carbs (6 g fiber, 13 g sugar), 45 g protein
The Old Spaghetti Factory, boasting locations across Western, Southwestern and Midwestern parts of the country has often been the choice for Italian cuisine lovers. Their lasagna often draws applause from its patrons.
This dish is layered with pasta sheets and generously filled with scratch-made marinara sauce from their kitchen alongside ground beef & pork. That's not it! Four distinct kinds of cheese add to this delicacy which customers have described as "amazing", "delicious", and even ["the best I've ever had."](https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-old-spaghetti-factory-salt-lake-city-2?hrid=j5QhD_J4N-h3UA-3wTt4bwutm_campaign= www_review_share_popup&_medium = copy_link& utm_source =(direct))
Biaggi's
You can find the menu for Biaggi's Lasagna Bolognese here. The dish contains 840 calories, 39 g of fat (20 g of saturated fat), 2,020 mg of sodium, 68 g of carbohydrates (7g fiber and 6g sugar), and 35 g protein.
Despite being a smaller name on this list with only around sixteen locations across the United States, Biaggi's has still managed to accumulate a significant number of die-hard fans particularly fond of their mouthwatering lasagna bolognese.
One patron effusively "praised" its tastiness on Yelp earlier this year stating "The lasagna was delicious. I would definitely get again".
Comprising traditional meat sauce along with an Italian cheese blend as well as three-cheese Alfredo sauce makes up Biaggi's spectacular Lasagne Bolognese offering. Impressively you also have the option to order solely it or choose a great-value-for-money combination platter that pairs lasagna with chicken parm—another signature entree at Biaggo,
Romano's Macaroni Grill
Romano's Macaroni Grill Lasagna: 1,110 cal, 67 g fat (31 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 2,740 mg sodium, 69 g carbs (6 g fiber, 16 g sugar), 60 g protein.
The selection at Romano's Macaroni Grill is brimming with a variety enticing Italian classics. For lasagna enthusiasts in particular however, the restaurant's lasagna bolognese would be an excellent choice.
This popular entree is crafted using bolognese sauce, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses in addition to Italian sausage and imported pomodorina - a tomato-based condiment. Pausing on their meal only briefly to record their delight online here, many diners share highly favorable reviews of this dish while quite a few of them assert it as being the finest lasagna they've ever savored according to certain testimonials found over here.
The lasagna at Romano's can either be purchased standalone or as an element of Mama's Trio meal combo, joined by chicken parmesan and fettuccine Alfredo.
