Lasagna lovers know the struggle; one bite can either take you straight to cheesy heaven or leave you questioning your life choices. Across the U.S., some chains honor the layers, while others just stack and serve. We’ve sorted the real-deal restaurants from the ones that miss the mark. Let’s get into it.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
Maggiano’s nails the classic lasagna with thick pasta sheets, rich meat sauce, and land ricotta. Their “Mom’s Lasagna” is consistently reviewed as hearty and flavorful, offering a restaurant-quality taste that satisfies both casual diners and Italian food purists.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Carrabba’s lasagna blends house-made Pomodoro sauce and seasoned ground beef into a balanced, savory bite. Customers praise its consistent texture and fresh ingredients. Unlike many chain versions, this one holds up in both taste and presentation; hence, it is a reliable favorite.
Buca Di Beppo
The nine-layer lasagna at Buca di Beppo stands out for portion size and density. Each forkful delivers a cheesy, meaty mix that leans indulgent without going overboard. Guests often share it, which helps the value. The flavor is bold but not overly salty.
Johnny Carino’s
Johnny Carino’s lasagna features Italian sausage, beef, and a meat sauce. It has mozzarella and pasta cooked al dente. While not widely available nationwide, locations that serve it often receive high marks for quality and taste. You can bet it’s a dependable mid-range option.
Fazoli’s
As a fast-casual chain, Fazoli’s delivers decent lasagna for its price point. The sauce has herbs and garlic, and the pasta is generously layered. It won’t beat upscale places, but for a quick lasagna fix, it does the job. Breadstick lovers often pair it for value.
Now, over to those that disappoint.
Olive Garden
Despite the hype, Olive Garden’s Lasagna Classico often falls short in texture and consistency. Reviews cite overbaked edges and bland sauce, among other things. Some enjoy it, but its execution varies by location. Better suited for casual diners than serious lasagna fans.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
Romano attempts a gourmet spin on lasagna, but the result is uneven. While the presentation is solid, the flavor tends to be one-note or overly sauced. Many diners expect more complexity from the price tag. However, in some locations and kitchens, it could be a hit.
Bertucci’s
Past diners report issues with dry pasta layers, insufficient sauce, and a lack of seasoning. Bertucci’s Lasagna Rustica struggles with consistency. Though the menu reads well, execution falters. It may work for less picky eaters, but experienced palates will likely find it lacking.
Bravo! Italian Kitchen
While the restaurant itself is stylish, the dishes are not that great. Bravo’s lasagna sounds promising, having Bolognese and creamy layers, but diners often reported that it needed more flavors. Reviews suggest other menu items fare better and that this option is forgettable.
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut briefly ventured into pasta with its Tuscani Lasagna. While convenient, it’s far from traditional; soggy noodles and generic sauce dominate. It’s mass-distributed and lacks the texture or freshness expected in a real lasagna. Better to stick to the core menu items.
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