Hot, bubbly, cheesy, saucy, hearty—it’s really no surprise that Garfield is always wolfing down copious amounts of lasagna when the dish boasts so many tantalizing qualities. While lasagna is pretty synonymous with Italian and Italian-American cooking, people all over the world have grown to love those signature baked layers of pasta, sauce, and cheese.
According to Louie Sparagis, owner of The Shady Lady, Crave Astoria, and The Oven pizzeria in New York City’s Astoria, the adaptability and wide range of flavor possibilities are both big factors in why lasagna is such a widely cherished dish.
“Lasagna is a great versatile dish which can be composed of many different ingredients to cater [to] the desire of any taste buds, from ground beef to sausage to turkey or vegetables, even roasted vegetables if you’re feeling adventurous. Then the sauces and cheeses, oh the cheeses; possibilities are endless,” he tells Eat This, Not That!
Sparagis adds that the “layers of pasta, savory sauces, and cheese” in a lasagna make it a super satisfying dish that evokes feelings of comfort and home. The fact that lasagna usually comes in big trays that can feed a crowd only adds to its appeal. “It’s a great shareable dish that you can bring anywhere and it will be appreciated,” he says.