How to Layer Lasagna

Mention some of the traditional Italian foods and you cannot miss delectable lasagna. Today, this classic cuisine is a favorite for many people across the globe. The key ingredients required for making lasagna are pasta, sauce and cheese. Seeing the appearance and the ingredients, layering a lasagna seems like a challenge to newbies in the culinary world. Nevertheless, with a little planning and basic cooking tips, you can definitely try making the best lasagna recipes.

The best part of making lasagna is availability of ready-made noodles, which you can use in place of Italian pasta. As far as lasagna noodles nutrition is concerned, serving 3 pieces (51 g) of Barilla noodles yields 190 calories, 36 g carbohydrates, 7 g proteins and 2 g fats. However, it is to be borne in mind that exact lasagna noodles calories vary from one brand to another. Regarding 'how to cook lasagna noodles', you just need to boil them for a stipulated time, as mentioned in the package.

Layering Lasagna Noodles

The thumb rules for easy-to-make classic lasagna recipe are, gathering appropriate amounts of ingredients and allowing the dish to settle for some time after baking. As per your choice, you can substitute sauce and also, adjust the quantities. That way, you can taste a different flavored lasagna. Below information is all about lasagna ingredients and steps for making a three-layered lasagna.

Required Ingredients

• 1 pound lasagna noodles
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Parmesan, Romano or other dry grating cheese
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, cut lengthwise
• 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
• Several large basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Cook spinach, drained and chopped (optional)
• 9 by 13 inch baking dish

Directions for Making

• Begin with making the filling mixture. First, crush the basil leaves by tearing them into small pieces. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan and add cut garlic cloves. Sizzle garlic for 1-2 minutes, remove them and discard.
• To the hot oil, pour tomato sauce and add crushed basil leaves. Also, sprinkle seasoning spices - parsley, pepper and salt. Cover lid and allow sauce to simmer for 25-30 minutes. With this, your pasta sauce is ready.
• In the meantime, cook lasagna noodles. Fill a large size pot with 3-4 quarts water and add a pinch of salt. Bring it to boil and slowly add lasagna noodles. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking of noodles.
• As the noodles turn half-cooked or slightly chewy, remove from heat and drain immediately by using a colander. Avoid rinsing cooked lasagna noodles as it reduces the taste and flavor. Simply keep them aside.
• Line the baking dish with a thin layer of pasta sauce, or you can lightly oil the baking dish. Add a thin layer of cooked lasagna noodles. Sprinkle salt and pepper, and then top noodles with pasta sauce (use one-third of the amount).
• If you are using spinach, add half of it. If desired, you can also use cooked meat pieces. Use shredded mozzarella cheese and another layer of pasta sauce.
• On top of sauce, add a second layer of noodles, then sauce and mozzarella cheese. Add remaining spinach and drizzle with sauce. Spread sauce evenly and then, add the last layer of lasagna noodles.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Sprinkle salt and pepper to the last lasagna noodles. Top it with remaining pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese. Again add a layer of Romano or Parmesan cheese. Pour olive oil and spread evenly.
• Lastly, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake lasagna for 23-25 minutes. Take off the aluminum foil and again bake lasagna for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow it to set for at least half an hour before serving.

So, isn't making lasagna layers easy? Having known the tips for making scrumptious lasagna in the traditional way, you do not need to visit fine restaurants for having a bite of this yummy dish. If your family members love seafood, you can surprise them by trying out seafood lasagna recipe. You can alter the sauce and cheese type to suit your personal taste.