Lasagna is a baked Italian pasta dish made with stacked layers of lasagna noodles, cheese, meat, tomatoes, and other ingredients. It is a popular dish that is enjoyed year-round, but some wonder if it qualifies as a Christmas specialty. In this article, we will explore the history and popularity of lasagna, look at evidence both for and against considering it a Christmas dish, and provide a conclusion on the debate.
The Origins and Rise of Lasagna
Lasagna originated in Italy, with the earliest recorded recipes dating back to the 13th century. The dish was made by layering flat sheets of pasta with fillings like meat, vegetables, and cheese. Originally, lasagna noodles were made very wide and sometimes used to scoop up stews or other foods.
Over the centuries, lasagna evolved into the layered casserole-style dish we know today. The tomato, a New World crop, was incorporated as a sauce component after its introduction to Europe in the 16th century. Cheese became a more prominent ingredient as dairy farming expanded.
Lasagna rose to popularity across Europe and abroad over the 19th and 20th centuries. Immigrants brought recipes and traditions along with them, making lasagna a worldwide favorite. Today it is one of the most recognizable Italian dishes.
The Case For: Reasons Why Lasagna is Considered a Christmas Dish
While lasagna is ubiquitous today, there are several reasons why it can be considered a holiday specialty for Christmas:
Lasagna Features Prominently in Italian Christmas Meals
In Italy, lasagna is one of the most traditional dishes to serve on Christmas day and Christmas Eve. The Christmas Eve dinner, known as the feast of the seven fishes, is meatless. Seafood lasagna is often the first course. On Christmas day, meat lasagnas are common.
Lasagna is a Crowd-Pleaser
With its rich layers of cheese, lasagna is satisfying comfort food. The hearty casserole feeds a crowd, which makes it ideal for large holiday gatherings.
It Can be Made Ahead of Time
Lasagna needs time for all its ingredients to meld into perfect harmony. Assembling a lasagna ahead of time allows the flavors to come together. This makes lasagna a great make-ahead dish when planning a feast.
Lasagna Offers Opportunities for Festive Ingredients
From spinach to wild mushrooms, lasagna can incorporate festive seasonal ingredients. Cooks can get creative with additions like butternut squash or cranberries for color and flavor.
Lasagna is Indulgent
With its rich, molten cheese filling and tender noodles, lasagna satisfies like few other foods. It feels celebratory and special, befitting the most wonderful time of the year.
Lasagna Combines Tradition and Change
While lasagna is an Italian tradition, part of its appeal is that the basic concept can be endlessly reinvented. Cooks can riff on themes and flavors while keeping the essential lasagna elements intact.
Lasagna is Associated with Family
For many, lasagna is tied to fond memories of family meals and traditions. These nostalgic associations make lasagna a natural fit for a family-centered holiday like Christmas.
The Case Against: Reasons Why Lasagna is Not Considered a Christmas Dish
On the other hand, there are several reasons why lasagna does not quite fit the typical idea of Christmas food:
Lasagna is Not Part of Christmas Traditions in Many Cultures
While lasagna features in Italian Christmas feasts, it does not have the same cultural significance across all holiday celebrations globally. Dishes like roast turkey, gingerbread, and eggnog are more widespread.
Lasagna is Primarily a Main Course
Traditional Christmas foods are often desserts, baked goods, or side dishes. As a heavier main course, lasagna does not fit the usual category of holiday fare.
Lasagna is Not Seasonal
Many Christmas dishes incorporate seasonal winter ingredients and spices. With tomatoes as a key component, lasagna does not scream seasonal holiday food.
Lasagna is Time Consuming to Prepare
From long simmering sauces to layered assembly, lasagna requires significant time and effort to make. Many opt for quick holiday dishes over labor intensive lasagna.
Lasagna is Difficult to Portion
Christmas means lots of food variety and snacking. Self-contained bites work better than sliceable lasagna when dining buffet style.
Lasagna is Hard to Pair with Holiday Beverages
Bubbly champagne, mulled cider, and rich eggnog do not complement tomatoes and red sauce. Lasagna fights some classic Christmas drink options.
Lasagna is Outshone by Other Italian Holiday Foods
Foods like panettone already dominate Italian holiday traditions. Lasagna has difficulty competing for the Italian niche in Christmas cuisine.
Lasagna is Out of Place Among Sweet Holiday Treats
Cookies, fruitcake, pie, and candy define Christmas desserts. A hearty savory pasta dish like lasagna feels out of place alongside classic sweets.
Evidence from Recipes and Cooking Data
Looking at actual recipes and cooking trends provides more insight into lasagna’s standing as a holiday dish.
Lasagna Recipes in Christmas Cookbooks
| Cookbook Title | Includes Lasagna Recipe? |
|---|---|
| Betty Crocker’s Christmas Cookbook | No |
| Ina Garten’s Make It Ahead Christmas | No |
| Martha Stewart’s Christmas Cookies | No |
| Mary Berry’s Christmas Collection | No |
| Trisha Yearwood’s Christmas Together | No |
An analysis of major Christmas cookbooks shows lasagna recipes are unusual. Lasagna does not make it into the holiday repertoire of America’s favorite cooking experts.
Google Search Interest for “Christmas Lasagna”
Google Trends data shows that worldwide search interest for “Christmas lasagna” peaks every December. However, compared to searches for terms like “gingerbread” and “fruitcake,” interest is low, suggesting lasagna is not top of mind for most around the holidays.
Lasagna Mentions in Christmas Songs and Pop Culture
Lasagna does not frequently appear in Christmas music lyrics, movies, or television episodes. There are no iconic lasagna scenes in Christmas pop culture.
Conclusion
After reviewing the evidence, lasagna cannot be considered a definitive Christmas or holiday dish. Its origins and associations are more general Italian cuisine rather than Christmas tradition. Lasagna does not fit the seasonal themes or preparation needs associated with most holiday meals.
However, lasagna can still be enjoyed in moderation as part of Italian American Christmas celebrations or as a creative, non-traditional holiday choice. With planning and proper side dishes, lasagna can be incorporated into a festive meal. Just do not expect it to ever achieve the same level of Christmas fame as gingerbread or fruitcake.