Matzo lasagna facts for kids
Matzo lasagna
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| Alternative names | Matzo lasagne, matzah lasagna, matzagna |
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| Course | Dinner |
| Place of origin | Israel, North America, Italy, other communities in the diaspora |
| Created by | Italian Jews |
| Main ingredients | Matzo, soft cheese such as ricotta or cottage cheese, eggs, bechamel or tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan or pecorino, spinach, herbs and spices |
Matzo lasagna, also called matzagna, is a special kind of lasagna. It is a Jewish dish. Instead of regular pasta, it uses flat, crispy sheets of matzo. These layers are put together with yummy sauces and different kinds of cheese.
This dish first came from Italian Jews. Today, it is very popular in Israel, the United States, and other Jewish communities around the world. Matzo lasagna is a bit like another traditional Jewish dish called mina. However, mina usually has meat or spinach and feta cheese, while matzo lasagna uses sauce and cheese.
Contents
What is Matzo Lasagna?
Matzo lasagna is a baked dish made in layers. It uses matzo, which is a flatbread, instead of pasta. People usually add tomato sauce or a creamy bechamel sauce. Then, they add different cheeses like ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan. It is a comforting and tasty meal.
Why is it Eaten During Passover?
During the Passover holiday, Jewish people follow special rules. They cannot eat certain foods made from grains like wheat. These foods are called chametz. Because of these rules, people get creative with their cooking.
Matzo is allowed during Passover. So, some people use matzo to make lasagna. This way, they can still enjoy a lasagna-like dish. Sometimes, it can be hard to find ricotta cheese that is "Kosher for Passover." So, people might use other cheeses instead, like cottage cheese.
How Did Matzo Lasagna Start?
Matzo lasagna has a long history. It comes from an older tradition of Jewish pies or casseroles. These dishes are called minas. Minas are also made with layers of matzo and savory fillings.
Some minas have ground lamb in tomato sauce. Others might be made with spinach and cheese. This is similar to Israeli bourekas, but minas use matzo instead of phyllo dough. Matzo lasagna is a cheesy, saucy version of these traditional matzo pies.
Different Kinds of Matzo Lasagna
You can make matzo lasagna in many ways. You can use different types of matzo. These include regular matzo, shmura matzo, or even gluten-free matzo.
The fillings can also change. Some people use simple tomato sauce with ricotta and mozzarella cheese. Others might add fresh mozzarella, spinach, or even spring vegetables. These vegetables can include ramps, peas, spinach, leeks, and chives.
How to Make Matzo Lasagna
Making matzo lasagna is a fun process. First, you spread tomato sauce at the bottom of a baking dish. Then, you place large sheets of matzo over the sauce. Next, you add a layer of ricotta cheese mixed with parmesan, eggs, and herbs.
You repeat these layers: sauce, then matzo, then the cheese mixture. You keep going until the dish is full. Finally, you top it with mozzarella cheese. Then, you bake it until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
