Lasagna is one of the cheesiest and most tempting Italian dishes. With its layers of meat-based sauce, mouth-melting cheese, and different types of pasta, making lasagna takes a lot of time, but the dish is surely worth the wait. While from the recipe book or pictures, it seems easy to just assemble the layers, perfecting lasagna is a lot more.
If you’re a beginner and the steps of making lasagna intimidate you, this is just the right article for you, because who said that you cannot master the Italian favourite right in your kitchen? Whether you’re sticking to the traditional recipe or experimenting with your favourite flavours, all you need is some handy tips.
Do Use Fresh Ingredients
The quality of lasagna depends on the type of ingredients you are using. So, make sure that you use fresh and high-quality ingredients. For example, if you are making sauce from scratch, but fresh vegetables like garlic, onion, and tomato. For the meat, use high-quality of your preferred choice to give a juicy layer. Finally, for the cheese, opt for good-quality mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan cheese.
Don't Overcook Pasta
One of the most common mistakes that people make is overcooking the pasta. Whether you’re using store-bought sheets of pasta or you’re making it from scratch at home, ensure that you are not overcooking it before layering. Once layered, the lasagna will be baked in the oven, so don’t fully cook the pasta sheets before layering.
Do Use Cheese, Generously
Cheese is what makes lasagna, lasagna! If you are making it home, feel free to add generous amounts of cheese. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of cheese like mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, etc. Layer it between the flavourful sauce and pasta to get the perfect gooey centre and an irresistible cheese pull.
Do Layer Patiently
The essence of lasagna comes from its hearty and rich layers. You can start with a thin layer of sauce at the bottom of the pan which will prevent the pasta from sticking. Next, you can add pasta, sauce, and cheese. Keep repeating the layers while spreading them evenly to get a good balance of complementing flavours.
Don’t Be Impatient
Be it while making the sauce, no matter if you using chicken or vegetables, whilst boiling the pasta, adding cheese, or baking; the key to mastering lasagna is being patient. To allow the flavours of the sauce to meld, allow it some cooking time. Similarly, even after baking, let the lasagna come to room temperature before you dig in. Finally, you can freeze the leftover lasagna and enjoy it later too.