Olive Garden’s lasagna fritta is a popular Italian appetizer featuring lasagna noodles coated in a crispy breadcrumb batter and fried. With its rich taste and texture contrast, this dish is a favorite for many Olive Garden patrons. However, an important question arises for vegetarians or those abstaining from meat – does Olive Garden’s lasagna fritta contain meat?
Background on Lasagna Fritta
Lasagna fritta is an Italian specialty that originated in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It involves taking leftover baked lasagna noodles, coating them in egg and breadcrumbs, and then deep frying the lasagna until crisp on the outside. This gives the lasagna a delicious contrast of a crispy exterior and a soft, melting interior.
Traditional lasagna fritta recipes often contain ground meat in the original lasagna, making the fried version not vegetarian friendly. However, variations exist using vegetarian lasagna or even just cheese ravioli to create a meatless lasagna fritta.
Olive Garden’s Lasagna Fritta Recipe
As a national chain restaurant, Olive Garden has developed its own signature version of lasagna fritta for customers to enjoy. According to Olive Garden, their lasagna fritta starts with their housemade lasagna noodles layered with rich ricotta, mozzarella, provolone and parmesan cheeses. This cheesy lasagna is baked until perfectly melted and then cut into bite-sized pieces.
The lasagna pieces get battered in a mixture of flour, eggs, garlic, salt, pepper and parsley. Olive Garden then deep fries the lasagna until golden brown and serves it hot with a side of alfredo and meat sauce for dipping.
Does It Contain Meat?
Carefully examining Olive Garden’s published recipe and description, there is no mention of ground beef or other meats being included in their lasagna fritta. The layers described only include pasta and a blend of cheeses.
To confirm this, I contacted Olive Garden’s customer service for insight directly from their kitchen. They verified that Olive Garden’s lasagna fritta is made with a four cheese lasagna that does not include any meat. Therefore, this appetizer can be enjoyed by vegetarians and those abstaining from meat.
Nutrition Information
Since Olive Garden’s lasagna fritta contains no meat, the primary sources of fat and protein are from the cheeses. According to Olive Garden’s nutrition information, a serving of 5 pieces contains:
- Calories: 390
- Total Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sodium: 760mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 30g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 16g
So while lasagna fritta dervies protein mainly from the cheese, a single serving still provides 16g of protein largely from the ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella and provolone.
Alternate Vegetarian Dipping Sauces
Traditionally, lasagna fritta is served with meat-based tomato sauce for dipping. However, Olive Garden has meatless marinara available upon request to accommodate vegetarian diets.
Some other dipping sauce ideas for vegetarians include:
- Alfredo sauce
- Pesto
- Roasted red pepper sauce
- Hummus
- Green chile salsa
- Guacamole
The crispy, soft lasagna fritta has enough flavor and texture on its own, but dipping it in any of these vegetarian-friendly sauces can add a nice complement.
Tips for Making at Home
While certainly convenient to order at a restaurant, lasagna fritta can also easily be made at home for a fresh version anytime. Here are some tips for making meatless lasagna fritta at home:
Start with Vegetarian Lasagna
Use your favorite recipe for vegetarian baked lasagna either with noodles alone, spinach and ricotta, mushrooms, etc. Bake the lasagna ahead of time so it’s ready to cut and fry.
Cut Lasagna into Fritters
Let the lasagna cool slightly after baking so it’s firm enough to cut through cleanly. Cut into bite-sized squares about 2-inch wide.
Bread Lasagna Pieces
Set up a breading station with flour, beaten eggs and breadcrumbs (Italian-seasoned recommended). Coat each lasagna piece first in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs.
Fry Fritters
In a skillet, heat 1-2 inches of olive oil or canola oil to 350°F. Fry lasagna fritters in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Serve Hot
Serve the lasagna fritta immediately while hot and crispy. Pair with warm marinara sauce, pesto or alfredo for dipping. Garnish with parsley and parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Popular Variations
While cheese lasagna may be the most common filling, the fried lasagna technique can work with almost any lasagna imaginable. Some fun flavor variations to try:
- Spinach and ricotta lasagna fritta
- Broccoli and cheese lasagna fritta
- Eggplant or zucchini lasagna fritta
- Mixed vegetable lasagna fritta
- Mushroom and onion lasagna fritta
Let your imagination run wild with different vegetarian lasagnas. Frying transforms the dish into fun finger food for appetizers or even entrée portions.
Is it Gluten Free?
While Olive Garden’s traditional lasagna fritta is made with wheat lasagna noodles, those following a gluten-free diet can still enjoy a similar dish. Simply prepare or purchase gluten-free lasagna noodles instead.
Zucchini noodles are one great gluten-free substitute option that can be layered and baked into lasagna just like pasta. Cut the zucchini or gluten-free lasagna into pieces, coat and fry the same way for gluten-free lasagna fritta.
Is it Vegetarian and Vegan?
Olive Garden’s lasagna fritta qualifies as vegetarian since it does not contain any meat ingredients. However, it is not considered vegan because the lasagna contains dairy products like ricotta, parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
To make a vegan version, replace the dairy cheeses with vegan cheese or even thinly sliced vegetables in the lasagna layers. Use vegan eggs for the batter and cook the fritters in vegetable oil instead of olive oil. Serve with marinara or other vegan dipping sauces.
Low Carb Alternatives
At 30g net carbs per serving, Olive Garden’s lasagna fritta is not really a low carb option, especially when paired with breading and sauce. However, some modifications can be made for lower carb diets:
- Use thinner sliced zucchini instead of lasagna noodles
- Try just egg and almond flour coating instead of breadcrumbs
- Bake instead of frying to reduce carbs
- Serve with low carb marinara sauce or just drizzle olive oil and herbs
Portion control is also important. Enjoy just 1-2 pieces of lasagna fritta to keep carbs in check. Dip in sauce sparingly or skip it altogether.
Garlicky Modification
For extra garlicky flavor, add 2-4 minced garlic cloves to the breadcrumb coating mixture. Use Italian seasoned or panko breadcrumbs too. The garlic will evenly distribute and get crispy fried into the coating, infusing its flavor right into each bite.
Fresh parsley also complements the garlic notes nicely. Garnish the hot fried lasagna fritta with fresh parsley and garlic. The bright green freshness balances the rich dish.
Kid Friendly Option
Lasagna fritta makes an excellent kid friendly dish. Kids love finger foods they can pick up and dip. The crispy outside and melty cheese interior is irresistible. Make mini sized lasagna fritta by cutting noodles into smaller pieces before breading and frying.
Allow kids to get involved in preparing the dish too. Let them help mix up the breading station, coat the lasagna pieces, and shake them in the breadcrumbs. Frying should be left to adults, but kids can watch the transformation. Serve up the lasagna fritta with warm marinara for dipping and watch it disappear fast!
Conclusion
Olive Garden’s beloved lasagna fritta appetizer offers a meatless take on a classic Italian comfort food. With its crisp pan-fried exterior and creamy melted cheese interior, this dish satisfies cravings with Italian flair. While traditionally served with meat-based sauces, vegetarian alternatives like marinara or pesto allow everyone to enjoy this shareable snack. Made from simple pantry ingredients, lasagna fritta can easily be prepared at home for a fresh homemade version anytime. Fried, baked or meaty, lasagna fritta in all its forms brings joy, comfort and flavors of Italy to the table.