Merriam-Webster’s definition states it’s “less commonly lasagne: pasta in the form of broad often ruffled ribbons.” It also means the cheesy-tomato casserole dish you know and love. Oh, and the pronunciation buttons also sound the same for both spellings. Still confused? According to Katherine Spiers, food historian and host of the Smart Mouth podcast, the “a” ending of lasagna in Italian is a singular lasagna noodle. Lasagne with an “e” ending makes it plural. “It’s funny that in the United States we use the singular version because we do not say ‘linguino’ or ‘spaghetto,'” Spiers says. “I believe lasagna is the one pasta dish we use the wrong form for.” Take Italian-pressed sandwiches for example. “If you ordered panini in Italy, you’d get multiple sandwiches,” she says. “One sandwich is a ‘panino,’ but we never use that form here.” So basically no matter how it’s spelled on the menu, you can rest easy knowing you’ll find yourself with the steaming pasta dish rather than just a singular noodle. Now, the way you make your homemade lasagna and whether it’s authentic Italian is another story in itself. Does it have ricotta or béchamel? Boiled or no-boil noodles?
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