Mille Foglie di Rubia Gallega (Lasagna alla Brace)

Mille Foglie di Rubia Gallega (Lasagna alla Brace) is a contemporary Italian dish that reimagines classic lasagna as a grilled, layered creation. Its name combines *mille foglie* (“a thousand leaves”) with *Rubia Gallega*, a prized Spanish beef breed from Galicia known for its marbling and rich flavor, and *alla brace*, indicating cooking over embers. The dish originated from the creative team at **Matigusta** in Marina di Altidona, Italy, as highlighted by **Braciamiancora**, a culinary project celebrating grilled cuisine.

Key ingredients include thinly pounded slices of Rubia Gallega beef, which replace traditional pasta sheets, and are grilled to a smoky medium-rare. These “foglie” are stacked with layers of creamy béchamel, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and a slow-cooked tomato ragù. What distinguishes a great version is the perfect char on the beef without overcooking, the balance of smoke and acidity in the sauce, and the crispness of the top layer, often finished with additional cheese and a final sear on the grill.

Regional variations might incorporate local cheeses like pecorino or caciocavallo, or swap the ragù for a pesto or mushroom cream. Outside of the Marche region, cooks sometimes use other grass-fed beef breeds or finish the dish in an oven, though purists argue that the essential “alla brace” character comes from the open flame.