Difference between revisions of "Layer Lasagna"
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Your ingredient options when making lasagna are virtually endless. You can make vegetarian lasagna, a meat lover’s lasagna, or lasagna with all the works, packed with your favorite seasoned meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Lasagna is a delicious and hearty dish great for dinner entrees. It might seem a little tricky to figure out how to get all the ingredients into your lasagna properly without it getting messy or falling apart, but don't worry. Layering your lasagna is simple and easy. Once you master the art of layering your lasagna, you can truly get as creative as you want without even following a recipe. | Your ingredient options when making lasagna are virtually endless. You can make vegetarian lasagna, a meat lover’s lasagna, or lasagna with all the works, packed with your favorite seasoned meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Lasagna is a delicious and hearty dish great for dinner entrees. It might seem a little tricky to figure out how to get all the ingredients into your lasagna properly without it getting messy or falling apart, but don't worry. Layering your lasagna is simple and easy. Once you master the art of layering your lasagna, you can truly get as creative as you want without even following a recipe. | ||
| − | [[Category:Lasagna]] | + | [[Category: Lasagna]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Getting Ready to Layer=== | ===Getting Ready to Layer=== | ||
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#Choose your noodles. You can use no-boil or regular lasagna noodles. You must precook standard, dry lasagna noodles to soften them before you layer them into your lasagna, while no-boil noodles cook during the baking process. | #Choose your noodles. You can use no-boil or regular lasagna noodles. You must precook standard, dry lasagna noodles to soften them before you layer them into your lasagna, while no-boil noodles cook during the baking process. | ||
#*Choose your noodles based on preference and how much time you have. If you don't have a lot of experience making lasagna, you can make a lasagna a lot more quickly with no-boil noodles. | #*Choose your noodles based on preference and how much time you have. If you don't have a lot of experience making lasagna, you can make a lasagna a lot more quickly with no-boil noodles. | ||
| − | #Get the right kind of dish. For the layering effect of your lasagna to work, you'll need a deep, wide dish. You can use either a glass or metal dish. Pick the dish that is deepest and wide enough for the size of the lasagna you need to make.<ref>http://www.thekitchn.com/glass-vs-metal-bakeware-is-there-a-difference-food-science-217961</ref> | + | #Get the right kind of dish. For the layering effect of your lasagna to work, you'll need a deep, wide dish. You can use either a glass or metal dish. Pick the dish that is deepest and wide enough for the size of the lasagna you need to make.<ref name="rf1">http://www.thekitchn.com/glass-vs-metal-bakeware-is-there-a-difference-food-science-217961</ref> |
#*A deep dish will require longer to cook than a shallow one. | #*A deep dish will require longer to cook than a shallow one. | ||
#*Glass is a poor conductor of heat, but it also distributes heat more evenly. Using a glass dish will help your lasagna cook more evenly and stay warm if you need to wait for someone to get home before serving dinner. | #*Glass is a poor conductor of heat, but it also distributes heat more evenly. Using a glass dish will help your lasagna cook more evenly and stay warm if you need to wait for someone to get home before serving dinner. | ||
| − | #*Metals, especially aluminum, are generally better at conducting heat. They heat up quickly, but also can lose the heat quickly once removed from the oven. Using a metal dish may crisp the edges and bottom of your lasagna more than a glass dish would. Also, because metal dishes lose heat quickly, you won't want to wait too long before serving.<ref>http://www.universetoday.com/82331/what-is-conduction/</ref> | + | #*Metals, especially aluminum, are generally better at conducting heat. They heat up quickly, but also can lose the heat quickly once removed from the oven. Using a metal dish may crisp the edges and bottom of your lasagna more than a glass dish would. Also, because metal dishes lose heat quickly, you won't want to wait too long before serving.<ref name="rf2">http://www.universetoday.com/82331/what-is-conduction/</ref> |
===Layering your Lasagna=== | ===Layering your Lasagna=== | ||
#Get your noodles ready. If you are using no-boil noodles, remove them from the package and place them with the rest of your ingredients. If you are using regular noodles, follow package directions for cooking time, and drain thoroughly. Allow them to cool for a few minutes. They can be very hot to handle while assembling the lasagna. Running cold water over them helps this along, but be sure not to let the noodles sit too long after cooling, as they will stick together. | #Get your noodles ready. If you are using no-boil noodles, remove them from the package and place them with the rest of your ingredients. If you are using regular noodles, follow package directions for cooking time, and drain thoroughly. Allow them to cool for a few minutes. They can be very hot to handle while assembling the lasagna. Running cold water over them helps this along, but be sure not to let the noodles sit too long after cooling, as they will stick together. | ||
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#*Tuck the ends of your noodles into the pan before baking, as any that extend over the edges may burn or dry out and become hard and brittle. | #*Tuck the ends of your noodles into the pan before baking, as any that extend over the edges may burn or dry out and become hard and brittle. | ||
#*For easier serving and a golden edge, lightly buttering your glass or metal baking dishes before assembly. If using a nonstick surface, butter may be unnecessary. | #*For easier serving and a golden edge, lightly buttering your glass or metal baking dishes before assembly. If using a nonstick surface, butter may be unnecessary. | ||
| − | #Begin your first layer. Start with a small amount of sauce at the bottom of your dish to keep your lasagna moist and prevent the bottom layer of pasta from sticking to the pan.<ref>http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-lasagna-home-hacks-109313</ref> Take a sheet of your boiled and strained regular noodles or no-boil noodles and lay them out flat at the base of your dish, overlapping them slightly. The goal is to get the entire bottom of the dish covered in a layer of noodles. | + | #Begin your first layer. Start with a small amount of sauce at the bottom of your dish to keep your lasagna moist and prevent the bottom layer of pasta from sticking to the pan.<ref name="rf3">http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-lasagna-home-hacks-109313</ref> Take a sheet of your boiled and strained regular noodles or no-boil noodles and lay them out flat at the base of your dish, overlapping them slightly. The goal is to get the entire bottom of the dish covered in a layer of noodles. |
#*Remember, you can cut or break your noodles to fit the size and shape of your pan if necessary. | #*Remember, you can cut or break your noodles to fit the size and shape of your pan if necessary. | ||
#*If using no-boil noodles, you may want to break them to fit instead of overlapping them, as the overlapped parts can get hard while baking. | #*If using no-boil noodles, you may want to break them to fit instead of overlapping them, as the overlapped parts can get hard while baking. | ||
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#*Don’t let your layers get too thick! This can cause your lasagna to fall apart when serving and eating. | #*Don’t let your layers get too thick! This can cause your lasagna to fall apart when serving and eating. | ||
#Drizzle on the cheese. Follow your recipe guidelines to create your cheese mixture and cover the surface area of your dish with a thin layer of cheese. Use enough cheese so you can cover the previous layer. | #Drizzle on the cheese. Follow your recipe guidelines to create your cheese mixture and cover the surface area of your dish with a thin layer of cheese. Use enough cheese so you can cover the previous layer. | ||
| − | #*If your recipe calls for a ricotta mixture and separate layer of mozzarella, put down the ricotta first and follow it with the mozzarella.<ref>http://www.delallo.com/recipes/classic-three-cheese-lasagna</ref> | + | #*If your recipe calls for a ricotta mixture and separate layer of mozzarella, put down the ricotta first and follow it with the mozzarella.<ref name="rf4">http://www.delallo.com/recipes/classic-three-cheese-lasagna</ref> |
#Pour on some sauce. Use a spoon to drizzle sauce over your cheese until covered. Depending on the size of your dish, you may need to use more or less sauce. | #Pour on some sauce. Use a spoon to drizzle sauce over your cheese until covered. Depending on the size of your dish, you may need to use more or less sauce. | ||
#*Take care not to use too much sauce; this could create a runny lasagna. | #*Take care not to use too much sauce; this could create a runny lasagna. | ||
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#Top it off. Finish your lasagna by placing four noodles on the top, one crosswise and three lengthwise. You may need to use more or less depending on the size of your dish. Sprinkle your remaining cheese on top. This will cook to make a nice brown surface. Sprinkles of sweet paprika make a delicious final addition. | #Top it off. Finish your lasagna by placing four noodles on the top, one crosswise and three lengthwise. You may need to use more or less depending on the size of your dish. Sprinkle your remaining cheese on top. This will cook to make a nice brown surface. Sprinkles of sweet paprika make a delicious final addition. | ||
#*If you are using no-boil noodles or prefer a more sauce on your lasagna, you can add a thin layer of sauce to the top. | #*If you are using no-boil noodles or prefer a more sauce on your lasagna, you can add a thin layer of sauce to the top. | ||
| − | #Freeze your lasagna (optional). If you'd like, you can cover your lasagna dish with aluminum foil and place it in the freezer for up to three months and still bake beautifully.<ref>http://www.fromvalerieskitchen.com/2013/09/homemade-frozen-lasagna/</ref> | + | #Freeze your lasagna (optional). If you'd like, you can cover your lasagna dish with aluminum foil and place it in the freezer for up to three months and still bake beautifully.<ref name="rf5">http://www.fromvalerieskitchen.com/2013/09/homemade-frozen-lasagna/</ref> |
#*Make sure to let your frozen lasagna completely defrost before baking it, otherwise you may have to increase the cooking time. | #*Make sure to let your frozen lasagna completely defrost before baking it, otherwise you may have to increase the cooking time. | ||
#*Remove frozen lasagna from the freezer the night before you plan to bake it and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. It's better to cool your lasagna slightly frozen than to let it thaw on the countertop. | #*Remove frozen lasagna from the freezer the night before you plan to bake it and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. It's better to cool your lasagna slightly frozen than to let it thaw on the countertop. | ||
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#*Chop items into small pieces if you're unsure. | #*Chop items into small pieces if you're unsure. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
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* Lasagna at home is great when it is made intuitively or non-traditionally, adding all sorts of leftovers and creating something that tastes a lot more wonderful than simply reheating the leftovers! | * Lasagna at home is great when it is made intuitively or non-traditionally, adding all sorts of leftovers and creating something that tastes a lot more wonderful than simply reheating the leftovers! | ||
* Try to avoid overlapping uncooked lasagna sheets, as this risks creating hard bits in the lasagna if the liquid doesn't penetrate the thicker pasta layer properly. It's okay to snap instant sheets and refit them like a jigsaw puzzle where needed. | * Try to avoid overlapping uncooked lasagna sheets, as this risks creating hard bits in the lasagna if the liquid doesn't penetrate the thicker pasta layer properly. It's okay to snap instant sheets and refit them like a jigsaw puzzle where needed. | ||
| − | * The number one cause of soupy lasagna is wet ricotta. Strain your ricotta with cheesecloth or a sieve to remove excess liquid. Ricotta can be strained for up to 24 hours in your refrigerator.<ref | + | * The number one cause of soupy lasagna is wet ricotta. Strain your ricotta with cheesecloth or a sieve to remove excess liquid. Ricotta can be strained for up to 24 hours in your refrigerator.<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | *A lasagna is most often oven-baked, so be sure to remember to pre-heat your oven to your recipe guidelines.<ref>http://www.jamieoliver.com/news-and-features/features/how-to-layer-the-perfect-lasagne/#7t0Lr0oyCewUl1W2.99</ref> | + | *A lasagna is most often oven-baked, so be sure to remember to pre-heat your oven to your recipe guidelines.<ref name="rf6">http://www.jamieoliver.com/news-and-features/features/how-to-layer-the-perfect-lasagne/#7t0Lr0oyCewUl1W2.99</ref> |
== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
