Lasagna pizza is a unique combination of two staples of the Italian diet. It may be served in a multitude of varieties but, typically speaking, consists of a traditional pizza base with lasagna pieces or ingredients as toppings. Both pizza and lasagna can vary based on style and personal preference of the chef, so lasagna pizza tends to vary as well.
In order understand what lasagna pizza is, it may be useful to examine the main ingredients as independents. The origins of pizza are somewhat of a mystery, with many different claims being made as to who should receive credit for inventing this delicious, pie-shaped treat. Both the Greeks and Romans had early versions of oil-dusted baked dough, with the characteristic cheese topping coming about in the late 1800s. The Italian contribution to the three main ingredients was tomatoes in the form of sauce, the other two being cheese and dough.
As legend has is it, King Ferdinand disguised himself as a commoner and flocked to the poor villages of Naples to try the dish. It had been banned from his royal court. Regardless of the validity of the story, few can argue, rich or poor, of the savory satiation pizza offers.
Like pizza, lasagna has a number of myths regarding its birth. The three main theories involve a 14th-century cookbook, the ancient Greeks, and a Latin word for "cooking pot." All three of these speculations agree, however, on the fact that lasagna is composed of pasta layers with finely grated cheese, meat, and sometimes vegetables filling the void between the sheets of dough.
The untypical merger of these two typical entrees is as cloudy as the origins of their components, likely the product of creative culinary connoisseurs. Pizza has long been used as a palate for the artistic chef, allowing freedom in the choosing of ingredients. This freedom has brought about a number of interesting creations similar to lasagna pizza. Among these are the supreme pizza, the Hawaiian pizza, and the meat-lover's pizza.
Typically, lasagna pizza will include pieces of layered pasta, meat, cheese, and a number of seasonings and vegetables. The cheese is usually fine, such as a ricotta, and the seasonings are generally of an Italian origin, including salt, pepper, and oregano in addition to garlic and basil. This unique dish may be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or even a late-night snack.
