17 Lasagna Recipes for a Cozy Fall Dinner (2024)

FAQs

How many layers of lasagna is best? ›

Let me break it to you: If you want to make a lasagna, three layers just won't cut it! For the perfect lasagna, you need at least 4-5 layers to really enjoy all those mouth-watering flavors. And, here's a pro-tip: make sure to season each layer generously, but not too much. The average lasagna has 8 layers!

The first thing that goes on the buttered tray is a layer of red sauce. This is so that nothing sticks to the bottom. After that, add a smaller layer of white sauce. Then finally a layer of pasta.

Finish off your lasagne either with a layer of tomato-based sauce or with your white sauce – whichever you have left – and then grate over plenty of Parmigiano-Reggiano. A common extra topping is torn mozzarella, which makes a lovely, melted cheesy layer on top.

Chicken or Pork

If you're serving a vegetable or vegetarian lasagna, a meat-based side dish can see a great option for rounding out the meal. Go with an Italian staple like whole-roasted chicken, braised chicken, or oven-baked crispy chicken.

Some of our favorites include fresh bread, cheesy garlic bread, or garlic knots. We also love going with a fresh salad such as an arugula salad, a simple salad with balsamic vinegar, or a classic wedge salad without the bacon. And if you're having a dinner party, a vegetarian antipasto platter is also a great idea!

Some acidic bakes (like fruit cobblers) and lasagna or casserole (containing tomatoes, citrus, or other acidic fruit) may bake best in a glass dish, to prevent the metal from reacting to the acidic ingredients.

Acidic ingredients like tomatoes and citrus can react with aluminum (the most common metal used in bakeware), creating a metallic taste in your food. This is why lasagna and other casseroles with acidic ingredients are often baked in glass.

Sugar: Two tablespoons of white sugar add subtle sweetness and enhance the flavor of the sauce. Spices and seasonings: This lasagna recipe is flavored with fresh parsley, dried basil leaves, salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and black pepper. Lasagna noodles: Use store-bought or homemade lasagna noodles.

Is lasagna better made the day before? ›

Some people even say that lasagna made in advance tastes better too, because the flavors get more time to blend together.

BUILDING YOUR LASAGNA

Coat the bottom of pan with a couple ladles of sauce Layer noodles length-wise in pan, making sure to get in corners and overlap each other.

If your dish is deeper, the favorite two-layer lasagna can absolutely transform into a three-layer lasagna by preparing five additional noodles and increasing the cheese mixture by a third (plus, likely a few extra minutes baking, depending on your oven). This 9 pc.

Betony Kitchen says you could make lasagna with as little as two layers for a quick lasagna that doesn't take long to bake. Many, however, would consider this skimping. Most recipes you'll find for lasagna call for a minimum of three layers, which seems to be the universal standard.

As a general rule of thumb, one 13x9 pan will yield 8 medium-sized portions. You can adjust the serving sizes to your family's appetite: if they have larger appetites, you cut the pan into 6 large portions, and if they have smaller appetites, you can cut the pan into 10 smaller portions.

How can I keep lasagna from being a mushy mess? The best way is to keep your ingredients dry. Cook your pasta sauce long enough to boil out most of the moisture so the sauce is thick.