How to Improve Your Lasagna Recipe
Are you looking to improve your lasagna recipe or expand on our concept of classic lasagna? In its basic form, the layered and baked pasta casserole includes cheese, meat, and tomato sauce. But there are many ways to make this Italian delicacy.
Cooking lasagna is a multi-step process. It can be challenging, and mistakes can happen if you're not careful. When something isn't just right, you can end up with undercooked noodles, burnt edges, dry lasagna, or a flavor or texture that's less than desirable. The following tips can help avoid unintended results and improve your lasagna recipe.
Use the Right-Sized Pan
Perfecting your recipe is more than about ingredients. Using the correct type of pan for cooking is just as important. It ensures the finished product is cooked evenly, has the right texture and flavor, and looks ready to eat.
A standard lasagna pan measures 9 x 13 inches. However, you can choose a smaller or larger one depending on the number of guests or if you want leftovers.
Other considerations regarding the pan include:
- Shape: Rectangular or round pans are best.
- Depth: Deep pans allow more layers.
- Material: We recommend glass or ceramic for a classic, crustless casserole.
Decide How to Cook Your Noodles
Whether you use boxed pasta or fresh pasta, you can boil or not boil it. The no-boil method can save time. However, fresh lasagna sheets should be boiled for 10 to 20 seconds (ultra-thin noodles will cook with the sauce and cheese, so you can skip boiling).
Oven-ready noodles don't have to be boiled, no matter how many layers you use. Meanwhile, traditional wavy lasagna noodles (which are long, flat, and have rigid ends that hold everything together) are typically boiled. The trick is to get it just right. Overcooking noodles can make them mushy, but undercooking can leave them too tough.
Also, use plenty of water and stir the noodles often and gently. Place them in ice water when they're done boiling so the sheets stop cooking and remain firm. They'll soften later in the oven.
Add More Layers
Aim for at least five layers, though seven or eight tend to yield the most juiciness and flavor. It's not unheard of for some gourmet restaurants to use 20+ layers. But this isn't realistic or necessary for a homemade lasagna recipe.
Properly layering the noodles is also important. To start, use enough noodles to cover the bottom of the pan. Lay them all lengthwise in the same direction with no gaps, overlapping each slightly so no sauce or meat can slip through. This also prevents the layers from falling apart and makes the lasagna easier to cut.
Include Enough Marinara Sauce in Each Layer
You're not likely to forget the red sauce. But remember to add just enough to prevent the noodles, meat, and cheese from drying out during baking. The amount can depend on the number of layers, quantities of other ingredients, and the pan size. Generally, we recommend using 2 to 3 cups of sauce for a standard-sized pan. Spread the marinara evenly over each layer.
The thickness is also important. You can thin out a thicker sauce with water or chicken broth or thicken a loose sauce by simmering it for a few minutes. Taste the sauce occasionally and add seasonings as needed.
Add Sauce to the Pan First
Maybe you like your lasagna with a crusty bottom layer. However, excess cooking can cause the noodles to stick and dry out. Adding a few spoonfuls of sauce to the pan before stacking the layers prevents this. It adds flavor and avoids having to scrape the noodles from the pan. They also stay tender as the rest of the dish cooks. The saucy layer helps distribute heat evenly.
Prepare a Béchamel Sauce
Although used in French cuisine, béchamel sauce adds taste and texture to lasagna and helps bind it. It's a dairy sauce made of butter, milk, and flour. To prepare it, melt the butter in a saucepan and add the same amount of flour; then whisk in warm milk as you mix the ingredients. The sauce will become creamy as it simmers. Add salt and pepper for flavor; some recipes include grated parmesan cheese or chicken stock.
Give Your Lasagna Some Crunch
If you like your lasagna with crispy edges, use slightly longer pasta sheets for the top layer. The pieces that touch the side of the pan crisp during baking. This provides a nice contrast with the softness of the rest of the casserole.
Aim to Underbake Your Lasagna
If your lasagna is overbaked, there's not much you can do to save it. A mush of pasta and sauce is just not pleasant. To avoid this, underestimate the cooking time. Check the lasagna often as it's baking, and look for a browned top with crisp edges. If it's underdone, you can always put it back in the oven for a few more minutes.
Have All Your Ingredients Ready
Preparing all your ingredients before layering can avoid mistakes. A lot goes into making lasagna, so organize everything first. This means chopping the onions and garlic and portioning out the meat, cheese, and other ingredients—measure and set out your seasonings, too. Once everything is prepared and organized, you won't have to stop cooking to look for something or measure things out. It also avoids realizing later that you missed a crucial ingredient in your lasagna recipe.
Brown the Meat Before Beforehand
Make sure the meat is cooked and browned before you prepare the lasagna. Raw meat may not cook properly in a lasagna dish, even though it bakes in the oven for a while. Browning the meat ensures it's fully cooked; its natural sugars are carmelized to produce a deep, rich flavor. This step also removes excess moisture that could make your lasagna soggy.
Pick a Cheese That Melts Well and Blends with Other Ingredients
Riccota isn't your only option. Many types of cheese can be used. Each has a different taste, melts differently, and interacts with ingredients in its way. People often prefer parmesan. However, feta, queso fresco, and other cheeses that don't melt well can make your lasagna lumpy or grainy. Provolone or Swiss can make it too mild.
For optimal taste and texture, fresh mozzarella is best. It can be sliced or shredded and is easy to layer between other ingredients. Placing some on top creates a golden-brown crust.
Protect the Top of the Lasagna
Ignore this tip if you like a burnt layer on top. If not, then cover the dish before you slide it into the oven. This can keep the lasagna moist and flavorful and prevent it from burning and drying out. The best option is to cover the baking dish with a lid, shielding it from direct heat. For slight browning, remove the lid halfway through or closer to the end of the baking process.
Shop at Gelson's Today
We hope these tips help improve your lasagna recipe. If you're still looking for ideas, check out our collection of recipes, including lasagna made with Impossible™ Burger. Our Los Angeles area stores are stocked with all the ingredients you need. Feel free to place your order online for pickup or delivery or visit us today. Contact us for more information or to provide feedback.
Sources:
1. Real Simple: 7 Secrets for Making Better Lasagna
2. The Daily Meal: 12 Lasagna Mistakes You Didn't Realize You Were Making