Lasagna and Costesi Meatballs Festival

A village festival in the Irno Valley

The Lasagna and Costesi Meatballs Festival takes place every summer in Costa, a hillside village in the municipality of Mercato San Severino, in the province of Salerno, in the heart of the Irno Valley. The stage is always the same: Piazza San Luigi Gonzaga, which fills with long tables, food stalls, and music for several evenings in August. This grassroots festival, organized by local associations, remains one of the most anticipated summer events in the Campania region.

Lasagna and the famous Costesi meatballs

The signature dish is the oven-baked lasagna, prepared just like at home—soft and generous—and served with Costesi meatballs: a mixture of bread, cheese, and parsley enriched with bits of salami, then breaded and fried. This family recipe has become a true identity marker for the village, even giving the festival its name.

In addition to these two stars, recent menus have featured:

• pasta and beans with pancetta;
• stuffed sandwiches and sandwiches with pupacchielle peppers;
• pork stew;
• eggplant meatballs;
• cortecce pasta with mushrooms;
• french fries and fried fish;
• sfogliatelle, zeppole, and wine.

More than just food: sports, music, and meetings

The festival is historically paired with the Festival of Environment, Sport, Health, Music, and Agriculture: every evening alternates between tastings and entertainment. Over the years, the program has included children's games, running races, tug-of-war between neighborhoods, dance and singing performances, karaoke, and live concerts, as well as round-table discussions on civic issues such as the environment, pollution, and telemedicine. In 2023, for example, the stage hosted artists like Federica Nutini, Espedito De Marino, Luca Argenti, and the Pine Flower band.

Why it exists

The event has a clear purpose: all proceeds are used to fund the village's cultural, sports, and youth activities. The organization is run by the Astrambiente association and the Amici Granata, supported by the San Luigi Gonzaga committee, the Santissima Annunziata parish, and the Asd Salerno Rugby. It is entirely volunteer-driven: local cooks spend days mixing, frying, and baking for the community.

The 2026 edition

In 2026, the festival reaches its eighteenth edition and will be held from August 19th to 23rd. The organizers have already kicked off the summer with a new event, the first Peasant Flavors Festival, hosted in the same square from July 22nd to 26th; August therefore represents the «second act» of the festivities. Proposed highlights for the August event include beauty contests, in addition to the usual program of music and tastings.

Visitor tips

Dining happens in the evening: the stalls come to life after sunset and the square stays lively until late at night. Admission is free; you only pay for what you consume, and prices remain those of a traditional village festival. It is advisable to arrive early to find a seat at the tables and parking in the streets around the center of Costa, which is small and hilly. Visitors can combine their evening with a walk to the Castle of Mercato San Severino, one of the most extensive medieval fortified complexes in Campania.