Serving lasagna and wondering what wine to pair with it? We've got expert wine pairing tips to help you choose the best wine pairing for lasagna in this food and wine pairing guide.

Lasagna is a rich, hearty comfort food that pairs deliciously with wine. Typically made with layers of sheets of noodles, ground meat or vegetables, cheeses, and a hearty sauce, this pasta dish first appeared in southern Italy during the Middle Ages. It also has a long history with versions appearing in ancient Greece.
Today, lasagna is an Italian dish that's loved the world over in various forms. We love to make lots of different types of lasagna in our house. From our classic dairy-free lasagna to a Mexican-inspired lasagna to easy lasagna soup. They are all warm and comforting and delicious in their own way.
As a WSET 2 certified wine expert, I'm sharing tips to help you find the best wine pairing with lasagna.
Jump to:
- ๐ Wine pairing tips
- White wine pairings with lasagna
- ๐ท Red wine pairings with lasagna
- ๐ฅ Rosรฉ and sparkling wine pairings with pasta
- ๐ค What wines pair well with white sauce lasagna?
- ๐พ Wine pairing FAQs
- ๐ซ What wines do not pair well with lasagna?
- Try these lasagna recipes
- More wine and food pairings
🍇 Wine pairing tips

When finding the best wines to pair with lasagna, several factors come into play to create a harmonious dining experience. The top three factors to consider are:
- Flavor intensity of the lasagna - Consider the overall flavor intensity of the type of lasagna you're serving. For example, a traditional meat lasagna with a rich and hearty meat sauce or rich tomato sauce may pair well with a medium to full-bodied red wine like Chianti Classico. This wine has the structure and flavors to complement the intensity of the dish.
On the other hand, a lighter vegetable lasagna or one with a white sauce may benefit from a crisper white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. - Sauce and ingredient profile - Take note of the sauce and ingredient profile of the lasagna. A tomato-based sauce might pair well with red wines, while a creamy white sauce could be complemented by a white wine with good acidity.
If the lasagna features a variety of herbs, vegetables, or seafood, consider wines with characteristics that enhance or mirror those flavors. Matching the wine to the dominant flavors in the lasagna contributes to a more balanced pairing. - Personal preferences and occasion - Your personal preferences can help determine the right wine for the occasion. If you or your guests have a strong preference for red or white wine, that can guide your choice. Additionally, the setting and mood of the occasion may influence your wine selection.
Sparkling wines like Prosecco can add a festive touch, while a well-chosen red or white wine can enhance a more casual or formal dining experience. Ultimately, the goal is to choose a wine that complements the lasagna and enhances the overall enjoyment of the meal.
White wine pairings with lasagna

White wine can be a great choice for certain types of lasagna.
For vegetable lasagna or those with a white sauce, a white wine with good acidity is recommended. Two white wines that can pair well with different types of lasagna are Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.
- Pinot Grigio - For a white wine option, Pinot Grigio is a popular choice. It has crisp acidity, light body, and flavors of green apple, citrus, and pear. Pinot Grigio complements vegetable or seafood lasagna variations, providing a refreshing contrast to the layers of pasta and cheese without overwhelming the delicate flavors.
- Sauvignon Blanc - Another excellent white wine option is Sauvignon Blanc. With its zesty acidity and vibrant citrus and herbal notes, Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with vegetable lasagna or white-sauce-based lasagna. The wine's brightness can cut through the creaminess of a white sauce and enhance the flavors of herbs and vegetables.
🍷 Red wine pairings with lasagna

When pairing a traditional meat lasagna or even lasagna soup, red wine is a popular option. Italian food often pairs best with Italian wine, and two of the best red wines that pair well with lasagna are Chianti Classico and Barbera.
- Chianti Classico - Chianti Classico is an Italian red wine from the Tuscany region and is often a perfect match for lasagna. It has a medium to full body with bright acidity and flavors of red cherry, plum, and sometimes hints of earthiness. The acidity helps cut through the richness of the meat and cheese in a meaty lasagna, enhancing the overall dining experience.
- Barbera - Italian Barbera is known for its high acidity and juicy, fruity flavors. It pairs well with lasagna due to its ability to balance the richness of the meat and cheese. Barbera's bright acidity cleanses the palate with each sip, making it the perfect wine for ground beef lasagna and a rich red sauce based lasagna.
🥂 Rosé and sparkling wine pairings with pasta

A dry rosé with good acidity and a mix of red fruit flavors can be a versatile choice for lasagna. The acidity helps cut through the richness, while the red fruit notes complement both meat and vegetable lasagna. It's a balanced and refreshing option that works well with the layers of flavors in this dish.
Sparkling wine can be a delightful choice to pair with lasagna, adding a festive touch to the meal. Prosecco, with its light, effervescent nature, is a popular sparkling wine option. Its crispness and subtle fruity notes make it versatile enough to complement various types of lasagna, including vegetarian or those with a lighter tomato-based sauce. The bubbles in Prosecco act as palate cleansers, refreshing the taste buds between bites of the rich and layered dish.
🤍 What wines pair well with white sauce lasagna?

Lasagna made with white sauces is also known as "lasagna bianca" or "white lasagna." It typically features a creamy béchamel or Alfredo sauce instead of the traditional bolognese sauce.
When pairing wines with white sauce lasagna, it's essential to consider the rich and creamy nature of the dish. Here are some wine options that complement white sauce lasagna.
- Chardonnay - A full-bodied and oaked Chardonnay can be an excellent choice for white sauce lasagna. The wine's buttery texture and flavors of ripe orchard fruits, vanilla, and subtle oak complement the creamy and rich characteristics of the dish. Look for Chardonnays from regions like Burgundy or California.
- Pinot Grigio - A crisp and unoaked Pinot Grigio works well with white sauce lasagna, providing a refreshing contrast to the creamy elements. Look for a Pinot Grigio with bright acidity, citrus notes, and hints of green apple. The wine's lightness won't overpower the delicate flavors of the lasagna.
- Sauvignon Blanc - Sauvignon Blanc, known for its zesty acidity and vibrant citrus flavors, can be a great match for white sauce lasagna. The wine's acidity helps cut through the richness of the dish, while its herbaceous and citrusy notes complement the flavors of the white sauce and any accompanying herbs.
- Gavi (Cortese) - Gavi, made from the Cortese grape in the Piedmont region of Italy, is a white wine with good acidity and a crisp, clean profile. Its minerality and citrus notes make it a good choice for white sauce lasagna, providing a balanced and refreshing pairing.
- Vermentino - Vermentino, a white grape variety often found in Italian wines, offers bright acidity and a range of citrus and tropical fruit flavors. It can bring a lively and refreshing quality to the table, making it a good match for the creamy texture of white sauce lasagna.
🍾 Wine pairing FAQs
The best choice for a traditional meat lasagna is a medium to full-bodied red wine with good acidity. Chianti Classico is a popular option, as its bright acidity complements the richness of the meat and cheese in the lasagna. The red cherry and plum flavors in Chianti Classico enhance the overall dining experience.
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay both pair well with vegetarian lasagna.
Pinot Noir is a versatile red wine with moderate tannins and bright acidity. It pairs well with the earthy flavors of roasted vegetables or mushrooms commonly found in vegetarian lasagna. The wine's red fruit notes, such as cherry and raspberry, provide a nice contrast to the savory elements of the dish without overpowering it.
A medium to full-bodied Chardonnay, particularly one that is lightly oaked, can work well with vegetarian lasagna. The wine's rich texture and flavors of ripe fruits, such as apple and pear, complement the creaminess of any cheese or béchamel sauce in the lasagna. Look for Chardonnays with balanced acidity to cut through the richness.
🚫 What wines do not pair well with lasagna?
One type of wine that may not pair well with lasagna is an overly tannic and full-bodied red wine, such as some Cabernet Sauvignons or highly oaked wines. Here's why:
- Tannins - Wines high in tannins, which come from grape skins, seeds, and stems, can have a drying and astringent effect on the palate. Traditional lasagna, especially with a rich meat sauce, already contains fats and proteins that can contribute to a sense of mouth-coating richness. Pairing it with a tannic red wine can intensify this feeling, making the overall experience overly dry and astringent.
- Heavy oak influence - Wines aged in heavily oaked barrels, such as some Cabernet Sauvignons, can impart strong vanilla, toasty, or woody flavors. These flavors may clash with the nuanced layers of a well-prepared lasagna, potentially overpowering the dish's natural flavors and disrupting the balance.
Recommendation: Instead of heavily tannic or oak-forward reds, opt for wines with a good balance of acidity and moderate or low tannins. The acidity will help cut through the richness of the lasagna, while moderate tannins provide structure without overwhelming the palate.
Try these lasagna recipes
More wine and food pairings
🍷 Have you tried one or more of the wine & food pairings listed here? If so, leave a comment below and let us know how they paired together!
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