7 Authentic Italian Lasagna Recipes (Lasagne al Forno)
Baked lasagna is probably one of the most well-known and popular pasta dishes in the world! Well at least one version of it is! There are actually many Italian lasagna recipes or as the Italians would say lasagne al forno recipes.
Lasagne or Lasagna?
The flat sheets of pasta we use to make Italian lasagna recipes are called lasagne in the Italian language. Lasagna simply means one lasagne! However, as we know, the dish that is so loved by many is usually referred to as a lasagna or baked lasagna outside of Italy. In Italy, it’s mostly called lasagne al forno (baked lasagne with an ‘e’).
You can read more about the history of lasagne pasta if you click here. But briefly, lasagne is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, type of pasta, dating back to the Ancient Greeks and Romans. The Romans baked this pasta in a dish called ‘lagana’. However, the dish we know as Italian lasagna with a tomato and meat sauce, béchamel and cheese didn’t develop until 18th century when tomatoes first started being used in Italian cuisine.
Different Italian lasagna recipes
However, you may not realize that the version of lasagna that so many people like is the one that comes from the Emilia-Romagna region. Although, they usually make it with green pasta sheets. In fact, there are actually many different ways to make a lasagne al forno. Some of these Italian lasagna recipes are traditional in a particular region, others are more contemporary.
Lasagne al forno can be made with different kinds of meat sauce, with or without tomatoes, with or without béchamel or even meatless. In fact, there are a number of Italian lasagna recipes made without meat in which vegetables are the main sauce ingredient.
Here are some different Italian lasagna recipes currently on The Pasta Project (more to come, of course!). I’m sure you’ll find one you’d like to try.
Italian chicory lasagna (also called Radicchio pasticcio).
This delicious vegetarian lasagna from Veneto is made with red Italian chicory, béchamel, cheese, shallots and, of course, lasagne pasta sheets.
Italian lamb lasagna.
Lamb is traditional at Easter in Italy so this lamb lasagna made with a lamb ragu, béchamel and grated Parmigiano or grana is perfect for your Easter table (or just Sunday lunch).
Lasagna alla Norma.
This is a baked lasagne version of Sicily’s famous pasta alla Norma. It has tomato sauce, creamed ricotta fried eggplant and grated cheese.
Lasagna Bianca with mushrooms and burrata.
Lasagna Bianca means white lasagna so no tomatoes. Instead this divine lasagna from Puglia has 3 kinds of mushrooms including porcini, béchamel, grated parmigiano and creamy fresh burrata!
Baked Lasagna in Broth alla Molisana.
This unique lasagna recipe from Molise contains veal meatballs, chicken and veal loin that are first used to make a broth and then shredded for the filling, mozzarella, parmigiano and nutmeg. The lasagna is baked in the broth.
Poached Salmon and Asparagus Lasagna.
This is a favourite lasagna of mine when asparagus season starts. It’s made with fresh poached salmon, fresh asparagus, of course, a little grated parmigiano and béchamel.
Lasagna alla Bolognese from Emilia-Romagna.
Finally the classic lasagna as it is made in Emilia-Romagna. Bolognese sauce, béchamel and grated parmigiana are the main ingredients for this popular lasagna.
Homemade lasagna pasta.
Nothing beats homemade pasta in an Italian lasagna. Check out how to make your own lasagna /lasagne pasta sheets. It’s not so difficult and well worth doing for any or all of these Italian lasagna recipes.
If you try any of these 7 Italian lasagna recipes, I'd love to know what you think!
Please write a comment here on the blog or post a comment on the Pasta Project Facebook page.
Your feedback means a lot to me!
Buon Appetito!
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Sophia says
Wow, what great information on lasagna and such tasty lasagna idea! Yum!
Maman de sara says
Poached salmon and asparagus lasagna is the one I would like to try. Thanks for sharing these amazing recipes.
Colleen says
Every one of these look so delicious, I wouldn't be able to choose! And I agree, it's always better with homemade pasta.
Kelly Anthony says
I always love reading the history behind the food. I had no idea lasagna is one of the oldest pasta recipes. So interesting. This is a great collection of delicious lasagna recipes.
Jacqui says
Thanks so much Kelly! Yes lasagne is a very old type of pasta and even the classic lasagna dish we love has been around for a couple of hundred years!
Valentina says
Oh my goodness these sound delicious!! The one with the broth alla Molisana is especially interesting to me. And I never did understand the difference between the "a" or "e," so thank you! 😀
Jacqui says
Thank you dear Valentina! I love the one with broth from Molise too! It's rather unique!
Maya says
Love all these dishes, I have tried 2 so far and can't wait to keep trying them! Italian food is the best
Jacqui says
I'm happy you have tried a couple of these lasagna recipes already Maya! I'm sure you'll enjoy the others too!
Patty says
They all look delicious Jacqui, my top favorite are the lamb lasagna and salmon lasagna, mouthwatering!
Jacqui says
Grazie cara Patty! Good choice! Those two are exceptionally delicious!
Heidy L. McCallum says
Every one of these recipes looks perfectly stunning. I can't decide on just one I like. I would like to try all of them!
Jacqui says
Thanks so much Heidy! Yes all these lasagna recipes are really delicious! I hope you'll try some of them!
Veena Azmanov says
Thanks for all your amazing recipes. My family to enjoy them all. Have to try them out. Looks super delicious.
Jacqui says
Thanks a lot Veena! I'm sure your family will enjoy some of these lasagna dishes too!
Danielle Wolter says
yessss....i love lasagna with my whole heart. it's one of my favorite foods ever. i really want to check out the homemade lasagna pasta - i'll be t it's amazing!
Jacqui says
Lasagna really is a great dish isn't it Danielle? Making it with homemade pasta is the best! Hope you'll give it a try!
Noelle says
I didn't know you could make one dish in so many ways! Amazing, can't wait to switch it up!
Jacqui says
Thank you for your comment dear Noelle! There are so many wonderful lasagna recipes here in Italy. These are just a handful of many. But, a good place to start if you want to try something new!
David says
I love lasagna! So many tasty choices. And that was helpful breakdown of the "e" vs. "a" at the end!
Jacqui says
Thanks David! Yes there are so many tasty ways to make a lasagna, or as Italians say lasagne al forno!
Dannii says
You can't beat a classic lasagna, and there are so many delicious ones here to try.
Jacqui says
Grazie Danii! Lasagna really is a fabulous way to cook pasta and I love that there are so many ways to make it!