The primary ingredient in traditional lasagna is pasta, specifically lasagna noodles. This dish consists of layers of these flat, rectangular pasta sheets alternated with various fillings, including ricotta or cottage cheese, mozzarella, and meat sauce, often comprising ground beef or sausage. Tomatoes and herbs typically flavor the sauce. The combination of these ingredients, along with the baking process, creates a rich and hearty meal that is beloved in Italian cuisine. While variations exist globally, the pasta remains essential to the dish’s identity, holding together its many layers.