Zia Rita’s Sunday Lasagna

Name: Zia Rita’s Sunday Lasagna (Lasagne della domenica di zia Rita)
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 1 h 45 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 400 g/14 oz/3 cups 00 flour; 4 eggs; 150 g/5¼ oz/1½ cups textured vegetable protein (TVP); Hot vegetable stock, for soaking; 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1 small red onion, finely chopped; 1 carrot, finely chopped; 1 celery stalk, finely chopped; 2 tbsp tomato purée/paste; 2 tbsp tomato purée/paste; 120 ml/4 fl oz/½ cup red wine; 700 ml/24 fl oz/3 cups tomato passata; 2 bay leaves; 60 g/2 oz/4 tbsp unsalted butter; 60 g/2 oz/½ cup plain/all-purpose flour; 700 ml/24 fl oz/3 cups whole milk; Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste; Salt and pepper, to taste; Salt and pepper, to taste; 100 g/3½ oz/1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated, plus extra to serve; Olive oil or butter, for greasing; Olive oil or butter, for greasing; Parsley, chopped, to serve

Lasagne della domenica di zia Rita

Preparation info

Serves:
6-8

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
2 hr 30

Appears in

Pasta Therapy

By Isabella Barbato

Published 2026

About

A slow-cooked vegetarian ragù layered with silky pasta sheets and béchamel, inspired by the warmth and joy of Sunday lunch at zia Rita’s. There was nothing quite like being invited to her house. She was loud, always laughing and loved with her whole heart. My dad adored her. They were the youngest of four and thick as thieves, talking about movies all through lunch, then moving to the sofa with coffee in hand, ready for a film and a running commentary.

Her home had

Ingredients

Europe
Italy
Sicily
Pasta
Lunch
Vegetarian
Autumn
Winter

Ingredients

Method