When Giada De Laurentiis moved to the United States as a child, her family faced the challenge of celebrating Thanksgiving—a holiday unfamiliar in Italy. Instead of the traditional roast turkey and stuffing, her family prepared a dish that felt more authentic to their roots: turkey lasagna.
In a recent interview and Instagram post, Giada explained that this dish became her introduction to the holiday, symbolizing both adaptation and cultural blending.
The Dish: Turkey Lasagna
Rather than serving a whole bird, Giada’s family layered:
- Ground turkey in place of beef or pork
- Tomato sauce enriched with Italian herbs
- Ricotta and mozzarella for creaminess
- Sheets of pasta baked into a hearty casserole
The result was a lasagna that nodded to Thanksgiving’s centerpiece protein while staying true to Italian cooking traditions.
Giada’s Reflection
Giada noted that the turkey lasagna was “unexpected but delicious,” and it taught her that Thanksgiving is less about strict rules and more about family, food, and togetherness. Over time, she embraced more traditional American dishes, but the lasagna remains a cherished memory of her first holiday in the U.S.
Her story highlights how immigrant families often reinterpret American traditions through their own cultural lens. For Giada, the turkey lasagna was not just a meal—it was a symbol of her family’s journey and their way of making Thanksgiving meaningful.
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