10 Restaurant Chains Serving Lasagna Chefs Actually Approve Of
Lasagna is one of those comfort foods that can make or break an Italian restaurant’s reputation.
When layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce come together just right, it’s pure magic on a plate.
But which restaurant chains actually serve lasagna that professional chefs would happily eat themselves?
We’ve rounded up the spots where culinary experts give their stamp of approval, so you know exactly where to go for your next pasta craving.
1. Olive Garden
Everyone knows Olive Garden, but did you know their Lasagna Classico has earned nods from professional chefs?
The secret lies in how they layer their homemade marinara with seasoned beef and a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
What makes chefs smile is the consistency – every plate comes out perfectly baked with bubbling cheese on top. It’s comfort food done right, without any fancy tricks.
2. Buca di Beppo
Walk into Buca di Beppo and you’ll notice something different right away – everything comes family-style, including their massive lasagna.
Chefs appreciate how they don’t skimp on ingredients, piling on Italian sausage, ground beef, and three types of cheese.
The portion sizes are ridiculous in the best way possible. You’re getting restaurant-quality lasagna that could feed your entire crew without breaking the bank.
3. Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Carrabba’s takes a slightly more upscale approach to their lasagna, and culinary professionals notice the difference.
Their version features a rich meat sauce made with pork, beef, and veal, which adds incredible depth of flavor.
The pasta sheets are cooked perfectly – not mushy, not tough. Chefs also love that they finish each order fresh from the oven, so you get that perfect golden-brown cheese crust every single time.
4. Maggiano’s Little Italy
At Maggiano’s, the lasagna is a showstopper that chefs genuinely respect. They use a traditional recipe with layers of pasta, bolognese sauce, béchamel, and a mountain of mozzarella that gets beautifully caramelized.
What really wins over the pros? The texture balance – creamy but not soupy, hearty but not heavy. Plus, their portions are generous enough to share or take home for round two.
5. Romano’s Macaroni Grill
Romano’s Macaroni Grill keeps things classic with their Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs and Sausage Lasagna.
Chefs dig how they incorporate both meatballs and Italian sausage into the layers, creating a protein-packed experience.
The ricotta here is particularly creamy and well-seasoned, which elevates the entire dish. It’s homestyle cooking executed at a level that makes culinary experts give an approving nod when they take that first bite.
6. Fazoli’s
Fast-casual Italian food can be hit or miss, but Fazoli’s baked lasagna surprises chefs with its quality.
For a quick-service spot, they manage to deliver properly layered pasta with a robust meat sauce that doesn’t taste mass-produced.
The cheese blend melts beautifully and the portion size is perfect for lunch. Those unlimited breadsticks don’t hurt either – chefs appreciate when value meets solid execution.
7. The Old Spaghetti Factory
There’s something nostalgic about The Old Spaghetti Factory, and their lasagna lives up to the vibe.
Chefs respect how they stick to traditional recipes without trying to reinvent the wheel – sometimes classic is exactly what you need.
The meat sauce is hearty and flavorful, layered with plenty of cheese that gets gloriously gooey. Plus, you get bread, salad, and ice cream with your meal, which chefs appreciate as solid value.
8. Johnny Carino’s
Johnny Carino’s might not be everywhere, but where it exists, the lasagna gets chef approval. Their version features a well-balanced meat sauce with Italian seasonings that remind you of homemade cooking.
The cheese ratio is spot-on – not too much, not too little. Chefs also note the pasta is cooked al dente before baking, which prevents that dreaded mushy texture you sometimes get with chain restaurant lasagna.
9. Bertucci’s
Bertucci’s is famous for their brick-oven pizzas, but chefs quietly approve of their lasagna too. The benefit of having those ovens?
They can finish the lasagna with a perfectly crispy, golden cheese top that’s hard to achieve elsewhere.
Their meat sauce has a slight sweetness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes beautifully. It’s a sleeper hit on their menu that deserves way more attention than it gets.
10. Cafe Rio
Wait, Cafe Rio serves lasagna? Not traditionally, but some locations offer a Mexican-Italian fusion lasagna that chefs find surprisingly delicious.
Think layers of tortillas instead of pasta, with seasoned beef, beans, and loads of cheese.
It’s unconventional, sure, but the execution is what matters. Chefs appreciate creativity when it’s done well, and this unexpected twist delivers bold flavors that work together beautifully in every cheesy bite.
