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PhrasesAt the TrattoriaAvete la lasagna della domenica?
A2informal

Avete la lasagna della domenica?

Do you have Sunday lasagna?

Pronunciation

la-SA-gna — three syllables, 'gn' is nasal palatal like 'ny'. Stress on second.

When to use it

On Sundays at a family trattoria — lasagna is the traditional Italian Sunday lunch dish and is only available on the day.

What it means

In Italy, lasagna ('lasagne') is historically a Sunday dish because it requires long preparation: making the béchamel, the ragù (cooked for hours), the fresh pasta, and the assembly. Many trattorias only make it on Sundays and it sells out by 1 pm.

Variations

La lasagna è fatta con pasta fresca?

Is the lasagna made with fresh pasta?

Authentic Italian lasagna always uses fresh egg pasta, not dried

Ha la besciamella?

Does it have béchamel?

Authentic Italian lasagna includes béchamel — without it is a different dish

Ne è rimasta ancora?

Is there any left?

Ask quickly — Sunday lasagna often sells out by midday

Mini Dialogue

— Avete la lasagna della domenica? — Sì! Ne sono rimaste tre porzioni — la prenotate? — Sì, per favore — arriviamo a mezzogiorno e mezzo. — La teniamo da parte.

— Do you have Sunday lasagna? — Yes! Three portions left — shall we reserve one? — Yes, please — we will arrive at half past twelve. — We will keep one aside for you.

Cultural Note

In Emilia-Romagna, Sunday lunch means lasagne verdi al forno — green pasta (with spinach), Bolognese ragù, béchamel, and Parmigiano. This is the dish that defines Sunday for millions of Italians. The grandmother's lasagna is often discussed with the same reverence as a masterwork of art.