If you're okay with eating cheese, maybe bring two lasagnas: one with traditional noodles; and one with zucchini noodles. http://nourishedmeadow.com/2010/07/zucchini-lasagna/

We make a lasagna that uses spinach (or other greens like Swiss chard) instead of noodles. Surprise them!

Or, if it has pasta and you don't want to give a presentation on your food choices, just claim you're not feeling well. Use the words "bit of stomach flu" and most people will drop the subject. Another option is to say you're allergic to wheat. That's not as accurate as explaining gluten sensitivity and so on, but it's not really a lie either. Whatever reason you give, as long as you don't go into a "Why You Shouldn't Eat Gluten Either" lecture, if someone feels bad about his food choices, that's his problem.

Funny thing is, most people wouldn't bat an eye if you told them you were skipping a meal because you were on a standard starvation diet and trying to lose weight. They'd probably give you a round of applause. But tell them you're avoiding a specific food (other than fat) and many will take it personally.

im in the same boat. i have it a little easier because of my MS (never thought i would say that). i play the MS card and say, "im actually on a pretty strict grain-free diet because i find it helps me best manage my multiple sclerosis, but i would be happy to bring my awesome deviled eggs/flourless chocolate cake/salad etc." then at dinner i load my plate up with all veggies and some meat. if anyone asks, i tell them but mostly people dont look at what im eating because they are busy drowning themselves in their own meal.

i find it extra hard at easter because im armenian and easter is a huge deal and armenian food is AWESOME!!

What if you are just honest with whoever it is that has asked you to make this dish that you no longer want to make. Tell them you don't eat that type of food anymore but could you prepare an alternative that everyone will love anyway? You could do a roast or something instead. Or ask if they could make it a pot luck where everyone bring their favorite things so it isn't so much of a financial burden on just you? That way you could bring something you love and not feel weird about it.

I cook things that i dont eat anymore, i have been thinking about it. But for me i think most important thing is to have a meal with family. I dont spend enough time with them. I think food should be enjoyed with a company of loved ones. So many people just fuel themselfs up front of the fridge, I think the whole meal should be prepared with care and sit down to chat and enjoy the company. Maybe it is even paleo.;) Whocares. Its always that things taste better with family dinner :) When i am eating alone dinners that i prepared, its not just the same.

Some good advice here about navigating the food/family social minefield in a considered and forthright way.

Alternative cheat's option; just make the lasagna with gluten-free pasta. A little safe starch should fit well within your 80/20, although admittedly it won't deal with the problem in the longer term.

Eat. Fast, go 100/0 for a week but don't be unsocial with family. Pick more ham, less carbs but be part of ther family.

Unless you have a very ACUTE health problem, enjoy your friends and family, don't be a stick-in-the-mud, and EAT EVERYTHING THEY PUT ON YOUR PLATE. It won't kill you and probably will do you a world of good.

I cook food that I don't eat at my husband's request. I don't eat it and, somehow, it always surprises him when I avoid it (even though he knows I'm specifically avoiding gluten/wheat).

My husband and I went to dinner at my moms and before we got there she let us know she was cooking lasagna. She knows I'm avoiding wheat, but was surprised and seemed confused when I told her I really would rather not eat lasagna. She ended up cooking a few chicken breasts to go with the lasagna, but still, even during dinner she seemed annoyed that I didn't even try the lasagna (which looked delicious).

I didn't bother trying to explain to my mom during dinner why I wasn't trying the lasagna. I felt she already knew (or had been told) my reasons and saying anything at that point would just make the rest of the evening awkward. Plus, it's impossible to argue with her as she always falls back on "everything in moderation." I was just happy she didn't make too big a deal over it.

I also made sure to thank her for cooking up those chicken breasts. 8)

Try using zuchinni noodles instead of lasagna noodles, leave all the other ingredients the same. Should be DELICIOUS!

I asked my Mom to make her Passover sponge cake - which contains wheat - for the post-seder dessert because I CAN'T eat it, whereas weat-free almond cake or flourless chocolate would have been a genuine temptation. (I'm bringing barely-sweetened coconut-almond macaroons.)