10 Restaurant Chains With the Best Lasagna

Hot, bubbly, cheesy, saucy, hearty—it's really no surprise that the famous comic-strip cat Garfield is always wolfing down copious amounts of lasagna when the dish boasts so many tantalizing qualities. While lasagna is pretty synonymous with Italian and Italian-American cooking, people all over the world have grown to love those signature baked layers of pasta, sauce, and cheese.

According to Louie Sparagis, owner of The Shady Lady, Crave Astoria, and The Oven pizzeria in Astoria, N.Y., the adaptability and wide range of flavor possibilities are both big factors in why lasagna is such a widely cherished dish.

"Lasagna is a great versatile dish which can be composed of many different ingredients to cater [to] the desire of any taste buds, from ground beef to sausage to turkey or vegetables, even roasted vegetables if you're feeling adventurous. Then the sauces and cheeses, oh the cheeses; possibilities are endless," he tells Eat This, Not That!

Sparagis adds that the "layers of pasta, savory sauces, and cheese" in a lasagna make it a super satisfying dish that evokes feelings of comfort and home. The fact that lasagna usually comes in big trays that can feed a crowd only adds to its appeal. "It's a great shareable dish that you can bring anywhere and it will be appreciated," he says.

The difference between a mediocre lasagna and a great lasagna comes down to the care and attention to detail cooks take with every step, according to Sparagis. He suggests seasoning "with gusto," opting for puréed San Marzano tomatoes when crafting your sauce, and using a mix of meats for extra depth. He also notes that while ricotta is common lasagna ingredient, taking the time to make a homemade béchamel instead can "bring it up a notch."

However you prefer to enjoy it, the main takeaway is that lasagna is a persistently popular dish that holds a special place in the hearts of people from all walks of life. And when you don't have the time or energy to make it yourself—or the frozen versions just won't hit the spot—there are plenty of restaurant chains throughout the United States that offer lasagna.

We've rounded up all the eateries that serve the most craveable, fan-favorite versions of the dish, so read on for the 10 restaurant chains that serve the absolute best lasagna!