Universal Restaurant has introduced a one-kilogram Lasagne Verdi inspired by Bologna traditions and designed for shared dining. The dish weighs 1kg and costs $68. The kitchen is designed for two people.

Chefs prepare fresh, handmade spinach-infused pasta sheets in the Bologna style. They layer a slow-cooked beef and pork ragù enriched with pancetta between each sheet. In addition, they spread béchamel and Parmigiano Reggiano before baking the lasagne until golden.

As share-style dining expands across Melbourne, the dish now acts as a central table feature at the Carlton venue. Staff place the lasagne in the middle of the table on arrival. Consequently, diners serve directly from the baking dish.

Alfie Mercuri, co-owner of Universal Restaurant, said the team created the dish to reflect traditional preparation while encouraging communal dining. “Lasagne Verdi is one of those dishes that instantly changes the energy at the table,” he said. “It’s generous, it’s traditional, and it invites people to slow down and share. We wanted to create something substantial and authentic — a true Bologna-style lasagne — that feels special the moment it arrives.”

The recipe draws directly from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, where spinach pasta sheets define the classic Lasagne Verdi preparation. Moreover, the kitchen combines beef and pork to deliver depth of flavour. Chefs add pancetta for richness, while béchamel balances the meat layers.

The lasagne forms part of Universal Restaurant’s broader Italian offering in Carlton. However, its scale distinguishes it from individual pasta servings on the menu. Because of its size and composition, the staff recommend that two guests order it together.

Universal Restaurant
141 Lygon Street, Carlton VIC 3053