There’s something quietly magical about the first warm Saturday of the Swedish summer. It’s like the entire city remembers what it means to feel sunlight on your skin. Blankets appear in parks, families emerge with straw baskets and bluetooth speakers, and suddenly every flat surface becomes a picnic spot. My personal discovery of this beautiful ritual didn’t happen in a Stockholm guidebook. It happened in Hellasgården.
I was the only one carrying a casserole dish.
Let’s rewind.
It was early June. I had just moved to Stockholm. Coming from Italy, I was used to outdoor dining as something spontaneous—more like leaning on a Vespa with a paper cone of fritto misto than spreading out a full IKEA catalog of outdoor accessories. But my Swedish friends had something else in mind: a planned picnic. Organized, democratic, and impressively well-packed.
When I arrived, the others were already rolling out their recycled wool blankets and unpacking stainless steel lunch boxes. Someone had brought kanelbullar, someone else a cold smoked salmon salad. I brought lasagna.
Yes, warm lasagna. Still bubbling, fresh from my oven. A classic Vegetariana, layered with locally sourced zucchini, spinach, a little ricotta, and a homemade pesto that wasn’t shy on garlic or pine nuts. I thought I was doing something special. They looked at me like I had brought a lava lamp to a campfire.
But here’s the twist: after the first hesitant forkfuls, no one wanted to share their wraps anymore.
Who knew homemade food could silence a group of chatty Swedes?
That day taught me two things. First, that Stockholmers take picnics very seriously. Second, that the idea of comfort food doesn't disappear when you're sitting on a tree stump instead of your kitchen table. It just changes shape—and sometimes, it travels better than you'd think.
The more I got to know the rhythm of Swedish summers, the more I understood how naturally a dish like lasagna could find its place in this picnic culture. Sure, it’s not the first thing that comes to mind. People picture finger foods, thermoses of coffee, maybe a cold potato salad. But lasagna, especially a summer-adapted, vegetarian food version, makes for an unexpectedly ideal picnic companion. It holds up well in a warm food container. It’s portion-friendly. It’s satisfying without being heavy. And let’s be honest—who doesn’t like lasagna?
We’ve since embraced this fully at Lasagnariet. While we’ll always love our classic Bolognese for what it is (a legend), summer calls for something a bit lighter, fresher—maybe even greener. That’s why, for International Picnic Day, we’ve turned up the volume on our vegetarian lasagna options. Think roasted aubergine and fennel, a generous layer of smoked mozzarella, or a version inspired by Swedish midsummer flavors—baby potatoes, herbs, and Västerbotten cheese folded gently into a creamy béchamel.
Ever tried a different version of classic lasagna?
There’s an art to blending Italian ingredients with Swedish ingredients in a way that doesn’t feel like a fusion experiment gone rogue. It’s more like a friendly dinner party where basil and dill suddenly realize they have a lot in common. We source much of our summer produce from nearby growers in Södertälje and Upplands Väsby. And yes, when we say locally sourced, we mean it. That zucchini you’re enjoying on your slice might have been picked two days ago from a greenhouse just outside town.
It’s all part of how we think about home cooking here at Lasagnariet. For us, a takeaway Stockholm summer doesn’t mean giving up on good food. It means finding new ways to deliver it. We love the idea of someone picking up their warm lasagna lunch and heading straight to the green fields of Rålambshovsparken or the sunny cliffs near Hellasgården, where laughter and wind-blown napkins are the only background noise. No kitchen table required.
What kind of lasagna would you bring to a picnic?
We’ve also introduced a few surprises: a cold lasagna salad (yes, it’s a thing!) featuring thin layers of grilled vegetables, lemony ricotta, and a vinaigrette dressing served chilled in a lunch box. It’s not your nona’s version, but she’d probably approve if she tasted it. And for our vegan food lovers, we’ve created a variation with almond béchamel, roasted peppers, and a touch of sun-dried tomato—full of bold flavors without compromising on freshness.
Now, let’s talk logistics. Because one thing I’ve learned from Swedes is: a good picnic is all about preparation. We’ve designed our packaging to travel well. Each portion is sealed to stay warm (or cool, if you go for the salad version), fits easily into a backpack, and comes with compostable cutlery. Bonus points: your takeaway never looked this elegant.
Can you imagine in a picnic, the rich aroma of freshly baked and warm, homemade lasagna filled with parmigiano Reggiano and a lot of wild mushrooms?
There’s an almost cinematic beauty to it. You open the lid, steam escapes, and suddenly a quiet moment becomes a memory.
Of course, no picnic is just about food. It’s about presence. Time. Sitting with someone you care about while the light lingers longer than it should. Lasagna, in its humble way, brings people together. It doesn’t demand attention—but it gets it anyway. It’s not flashy. It’s familiar. And yet, when you unwrap it under the sky instead of under a kitchen lamp, it tastes like something entirely new.
And isn’t that what summer is all about?
Here’s a thought for your next weekend: pack a blanket, call a few friends, swing by Lasagnariet, and pick up a slice of something special. Whether you’re team vegetarian food, gluten free, or just "anything with cheese, please"—we’ve got you covered.
Because yes, you can bring hummus and crackers.
But why not bring lasagna?
