BOSTON, Mass. (September 21, 2023) – Lasagna Love and one of its National Lasagna Day partners Galbani Cheese, are again teaming up to celebrate Italian heritage at a series of festivals taking place throughout the Fall season. The Galbani® Italian Heritage Festival, with foundational roots in Buffalo, New York was the first in a series of festivals being held across the country in states including Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, Utah, Rhode Island and others. Bringing with it the sights, sounds, and aromas of Italy, the Galbani Italian Heritage Festival celebrates various elements of Italian culture including its food, pastry, music, and entertainment.
Lasagna Love, which feeds families, spreads kindness and strengthens community through the delivery of homemade pans of lasagna, will join Team Galbani on the Galbani Cooking Stage, to lead a shared cooking demonstration of…lasagna!. As a symbol of warmth, love, and unity, lasagna has empowered Lasagna Love’s endeavor to nourish and spread kindness to over 1.5 million people. In July 2023, Lasagna Love reported that its volunteers had made and delivered more than 350,000 lasagas.
“Many of our volunteers have made Galbani cheese products a staple in their kitchens as they craft lasagnas for families in their community,” said Andria Larson, executive director of Lasagna Love. “Galbani has been a strong supporter of the work we do and has consistently joined our National Lasagna Day efforts the last few years. We’re incredibly proud to share the stage with them. “And at the heart of it all, our partnership objective is clear: To be there for our neighbors, offering that much-needed slice of comfort, one lasagna at a time.”
Lasagna Love joined Galbani for its first and most well-known festival, which took place in July in Buffalo, New York. Volunteer chef and regional leader for Western New York Jenn Balkota said, “Joining Galbani at the festival left a lasting impression on me. I joined Lasagna Love to promote kindness and to model this behavior for my daughter. I want her to know that kindness comes in various forms. What made this collaboration even more special is the fact that I have run into Galbani’s Chef Marco at the local ALDI store, and he still remembers me as the Lasagna Love chef!”
Upcoming festival dates and locations include:
Festa Italiana; Raleigh, North Carolina, Saturday, September 23
Maryland Italian Festival; Bel Air, Maryland, September 29-October 1
Galbani® Feast of Little Italy; Jupiter, Florida, November 3-5
“Food and community go hand in hand,” shared Jessica Ruth, Galbani Event Marketing Manager. “With this knowledge, our team has found thoughtful ways to connect with Galbani fans and consumers of our products. Our growing list of participation, sponsorship, and development of Italian heritage festivals is one piece of our larger philanthropy, which has for the last few years, also included our alignment and support of Lasagna Love. This year, we’re delighted to share the stage with Lasagna Love volunteers who use our products to feed families in thousands of towns across America.”
About Lasagna Love
Lasagna Love is a community impact program that connects neighbors through gestures of kindness, goodwill, and support. The nonprofit has brought together more than 45,000 volunteers from around the world and abides by a trio of guiding principles: to feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities. Lasagna Love fosters a culture of positivity, empowerment, empathy, zero-judgment, and maintains a steadfast resolve to deliver comfort when needed most. The organization’s seminal purpose is: exist to assist.
To request a meal, become a volunteer Lasagna Chef, to nominate a recipient for a Lasagna Love delivery, or to support Lasagna Love through donations or the purchase of Lasagna Love store merchandise, visit www.lasagnalove.org or our social channels @WeAreLasagnaLove.
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Media Inquiries: Wendy Agudelo, wendy@lasagnalove.org
GALBANI’s CELEBRITY “CHEF MARCO’s” LASAGNA RECIPE
Ingredients
- 32 oz. Galbani® Ricotta
- 8 oz. Galbani® Mozzarella, shredded
- 1.5 oz. Galbani® Parmesan, grated
- 1 box lasagna noodles, cooked al dente*
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tsp. basil, chopped
- 32 oz. tomato sauce
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook pasta as directed, cool, and set aside.
Brown meat and drain.
In a bowl, mix ricotta, parmesan, garlic, parsley, and basil and set aside.
Spread 1 cup of tomato sauce in a 13” x 9″ baking pan.
Lay 4 pasta noodles in the pan, then spread on a layer of the cheese mixture, followed by more sauce, and a layer of meat. Repeat layers to the top, finish with 4 pasta noodles, and cover with remaining tomato sauce.
Cover with tin foil and bake for 1 hour.
Remove foil, top with the mozzarella and bake uncovered for 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes. Cut and serve.