Lasagna, a classic Italian dish made with lasagna noodles, meat sauce filling, and ricotta cheese, is a beloved staple in many households. However, one woman named Courtney Knill decided to put her own twist on this traditional recipe by creating a “healthier” version that sparked outrage online. She shared a photo of her creation in a glass casserole dish on social media, claiming it was a healthier take on lasagna.
In the photo, Knill’s lasagna alternative featured ground chicken instead of beef and quinoa instead of pasta. This unconventional approach to the beloved dish did not sit well with the internet, with many users expressing their disapproval in colorful ways. Some compared Knill’s creation to a crime against Italian cuisine, while others joked that it belonged in the depths of Hell’s cafeteria. Despite the backlash, Knill defended her recipe, stating that she had not eaten pasta in over 8 months and preferred to use quinoa instead.
While lasagna may be a favorite comfort food in the United States, Italian chefs have their own set of culinary rules that they adhere to. For example, dishes like fettuccine Alfredo and pizzas with unconventional toppings are considered taboo in Italian cuisine. Italian chef Gennaro Contaldo explained that Italian immigrants in the US often adapted their cooking to suit the ingredients available to them, resulting in leaner and simpler dishes. These cultural differences highlight the importance of respecting traditional recipes and techniques when it comes to preparing Italian cuisine.
