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TZ0624
LIF Adult
Member since 2/10 1819 total posts
Name:
T
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Lasagna help!
I wouldn't consider myself a great cook but I am okay..I manage. The only thing that just does not come out right is lasagna. I just can't get it like my mom or MIL. I don't know if I am doing something wrong. I don't have a problem with my sauce...just the overall dish. Can you please give me tips or your recipe. Thanks!
Message edited 4/27/2011 11:43:12 AM.
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Posted 4/27/11 11:42 AM  |
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hazeleyes33
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 13060 total posts
Name:
Ginger
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Re: Lasagna help!
Which part do you think just doesn't come out right?
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| Posted 4/27/11 11:51 AM |
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TZ0624
LIF Adult
Member since 2/10 1819 total posts
Name:
T
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Re: Lasagna help!
Posted by hazeleyes33
Which part do you think just doesn't come out right?
It just comes out thin and dry (no matter how many layers of pasta and how much sauce I use).
It's just weird it does not come out right.
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| Posted 4/27/11 11:53 AM |
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neener1211
:-)
Member since 4/07 22952 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Lasagna help!
Layer of meat sauce on bottom of pan.
Layer of cooked noodles.
Layer of meat sauce.
Layer of ricotta cheese.
Mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top of that.
Layer of cooked noodles.
Layer of meat sauce.
Layer of ricotta cheese.
Mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top of that.
Layer of cooked noodles.
Layer of meat sauce.
Layer of ricotta cheese.
Mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top of that.
You can keep doing this until you get to the top of your pan. On the final layer, it should just be noodles, then sauce and cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake at 375 for 45 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
I only use whole milk mozz and ricotta, and use only Ronzoni pasta, it tastes the best imo.
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| Posted 4/27/11 12:34 PM |
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MrsFrizzle
<3
Member since 9/09 4628 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Lasagna help!
Are you using pasta that you have to boil first or no boil pasta?
Are you mixing sauce into the ricotta and mozzarella? and putting sauce in the layers?
Do you add chop meat or veggies?
I also do a layer of bechamel sauce in the middle every once in a while to change it up.
ETA:
Layer of cooked pasta
Layers of ricotta mixed with tomato sauce and cheese.
Sprinkle chopped meat and hard boiled eggs on top.
Thin layer of sauce
Layer of pasta
Layer of bechamel sauce
Layer of pasta
Layers of ricotta mixed with tomato sauce and cheese.
Sprinkle chopped meat and hard boiled eggs on top.
Thin layer of sauce
Layer of pasta
Cover with mozzarella and sauce and pop into oven.
Message edited 4/27/2011 12:38:32 PM.
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| Posted 4/27/11 12:36 PM |
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Argyle808
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/11 446 total posts
Name:
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Re: Lasagna help!
Not sure if this helps, but this is how I do it:
Start with a layer of sauce on the pan.
Then layer noodle, sauce, cheese mixture and repeat until the pan is filled. Top with sliced mozzarella.
I never boil my noodles first, and I don't bother using the no-boil noodles either.
For the cheese mixture, I get about a lb. of mozzarella, cut enough slices to cover the top layer and dice the rest. I mix the diced mozzarella with a large container of part-skim ricotta, along with an egg, pepper, basil, oregano, and nutmeg.
I bake it at 350 for about an hour.
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| Posted 4/27/11 12:49 PM |
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BriBri2u
L'amore vince sempre
Member since 5/05 9320 total posts
Name:
Mrs. B
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Re: Lasagna help!
I feel like ricotta dries out pasta dishes when cooked.
My family makes lasagna with bechamel & a Bolognese ragu sauce. Topped with lots of mozzarella and parmigiano reggiano.
It always comes out nice and moist and flavorful.
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| Posted 4/27/11 12:52 PM |
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hazeleyes33
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 13060 total posts
Name:
Ginger
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Re: Lasagna help!
I do:
layer of sauce
layer of noodles
layer of ricotta mix
layer of cut up mozzarella
Repeat
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| Posted 4/27/11 1:03 PM |
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TZ0624
LIF Adult
Member since 2/10 1819 total posts
Name:
T
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Re: Lasagna help!
Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!
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| Posted 4/27/11 1:13 PM |
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TZ0624
LIF Adult
Member since 2/10 1819 total posts
Name:
T
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Re: Lasagna help!
Posted by jkfris09
Are you using pasta that you have to boil first or no boil pasta?
Are you mixing sauce into the ricotta and mozzarella? and putting sauce in the layers?
Do you add chop meat or veggies?
I also do a layer of bechamel sauce in the middle every once in a while to change it up.
ETA:
Layer of cooked pasta
Layers of ricotta mixed with tomato sauce and cheese.
Sprinkle chopped meat and hard boiled eggs on top.
Thin layer of sauce
Layer of pasta
Layer of bechamel sauce
Layer of pasta
Layers of ricotta mixed with tomato sauce and cheese.
Sprinkle chopped meat and hard boiled eggs on top.
Thin layer of sauce
Layer of pasta
Cover with mozzarella and sauce and pop into oven.
I use the pasta that you boil.
I do mix sauce with ricotta and mozz and putting sauce in the layers.
What I don't do is mix with chopped meat. Could be that too. Thanks.
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| Posted 4/27/11 1:14 PM |
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TZ0624
LIF Adult
Member since 2/10 1819 total posts
Name:
T
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Re: Lasagna help!
Posted by Argyle808
Not sure if this helps, but this is how I do it:
Start with a layer of sauce on the pan.
Then layer noodle, sauce, cheese mixture and repeat until the pan is filled. Top with sliced mozzarella.
I never boil my noodles first, and I don't bother using the no-boil noodles either.
For the cheese mixture, I get about a lb. of mozzarella, cut enough slices to cover the top layer and dice the rest. I mix the diced mozzarella with a large container of part-skim ricotta, along with an egg, pepper, basil, oregano, and nutmeg.
I bake it at 350 for about an hour.
you don't boil the noodles first? I thought you had too.
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| Posted 4/27/11 1:15 PM |
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Argyle808
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/11 446 total posts
Name:
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Re: Lasagna help!
Posted by TZ0624
you don't boil the noodles first? I thought you had too.
Nope, I actually read this somehwere as a time-saving tip. I was skeptical at first, but I tried it and it comes out totally fine!
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| Posted 4/27/11 1:19 PM |
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hazeleyes33
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 13060 total posts
Name:
Ginger
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Re: Lasagna help!
Posted by Argyle808
Posted by TZ0624
you don't boil the noodles first? I thought you had too.
Nope, I actually read this somehwere as a time-saving tip. I was skeptical at first, but I tried it and it comes out totally fine!
That's the first time I heard that too but a good thing to know. Thanks 
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| Posted 4/27/11 1:24 PM |
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TZ0624
LIF Adult
Member since 2/10 1819 total posts
Name:
T
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Re: Lasagna help!
Posted by Argyle808
Posted by TZ0624
you don't boil the noodles first? I thought you had too.
Nope, I actually read this somehwere as a time-saving tip. I was skeptical at first, but I tried it and it comes out totally fine!
so just layer the uncooked noodles? wow-that will save me time. And it comes out good?? Thanks!
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| Posted 4/27/11 1:26 PM |
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MrsFrizzle
<3
Member since 9/09 4628 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Lasagna help!
Posted by TZ0624
Posted by Argyle808
Posted by TZ0624
you don't boil the noodles first? I thought you had too.
Nope, I actually read this somehwere as a time-saving tip. I was skeptical at first, but I tried it and it comes out totally fine!
so just layer the uncooked noodles? wow-that will save me time. And it comes out good?? Thanks!
I would use lots of sauce if you're not going to boil the noodles. I've use the no boil kind and I had to double the amount of sauce I use. It's definitely easier to use just make sure you have enough sauce.
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| Posted 4/28/11 12:03 AM |
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fight the future
Master of my domain.
Member since 3/10 2067 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
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Re: Lasagna help!
I never boil the noodles and it always comes out delish. Total not necessary. Just make sure they're totally covered in sauce.
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| Posted 4/28/11 9:25 AM |
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LotsaLuv
Us
Member since 6/10 4094 total posts
Name:
F
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Re: Lasagna help!
Posted by fight the future
I never boil the noodles and it always comes out delish. Total not necessary. Just make sure they're totally covered in sauce.
So you use the no-boil kind, or the regular boil kind and just don't boil?
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| Posted 4/28/11 10:38 AM |
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Argyle808
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/11 446 total posts
Name:
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Re: Lasagna help!
Posted by TZ0624
so just layer the uncooked noodles? wow-that will save me time. And it comes out good?? Thanks!
Yep, that's it.
I use regular, uncooked noodles - not the no-boil kind.
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| Posted 4/28/11 10:41 AM |
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TZ0624
LIF Adult
Member since 2/10 1819 total posts
Name:
T
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Re: Lasagna help!
Posted by Argyle808
Posted by TZ0624
so just layer the uncooked noodles? wow-that will save me time. And it comes out good?? Thanks!
Yep, that's it.
I use regular, uncooked noodles - not the no-boil kind.
I didn't know this-thanks!!
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| Posted 4/28/11 11:34 AM |
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nancy6485
So in love
Member since 10/05 3363 total posts
Name:
Nancy
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Re: Lasagna help!
Posted by Argyle808
Posted by TZ0624
you don't boil the noodles first? I thought you had too.
Nope, I actually read this somehwere as a time-saving tip. I was skeptical at first, but I tried it and it comes out totally fine!
I dont cook the noodles either, I do soak them in wam water while im preparing everything else though. I also add 1 egg to the ricotta cheese!
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| Posted 4/28/11 2:23 PM |
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Re: Lasagna help!
I used to have the hardest time with lasagna and then I inspected my my MIL's because I love her's so much and asked what she does. Ever since I started doing it this way, it comes out perfect each and everytime.
First I drain the sauce from the meat.
I use part skim ricotta, whole milk seems drier to me, 1 egg, parmesan cheese, garlic powder. That is my cheese mixture.
I use fresh lasagna from the italian deli and I do not cook it. For me, this is what made it.
I use a deep baking dish, about 3 inches.
First sauce on the bottom
layer of pasta
layer of meat
layer of pasta
a very thin layer of sauce, I really almost just brush the sauce on.
layer of cheese mixture. I dollop in about 5 spots and then try and spread it out. Then I sprinkle some shredded mozzarella.
Layer of pasta
layer of meat
layer of pasta
layers of cheese with the little bit of sauce
layer of pasta
layer of meat
layer of pasta then cover with sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and I cover to bake for 30 minutes on 350. Then I uncover and continue to bake for another 15 minutes.
I may have to many layers, but basically I layer until I am about 1/2 bellow the the rim of the baking dish.
I let it sit for about an hour and it comes out so good.
My issue was always that it came out to wet, this method really worked for me.
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| Posted 5/3/11 8:53 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Lasagna help!
I use marinara sauce and meat separately.
sauce
uncooked noodles
more sauce
seasoned meat
ricotta (mixed with egg, salt, pepper, oregano, basil and garlic powder)
meat
sauce
noodles
sauce
meat
ricotta
noodles
shredded mozz (tons of it)
Bake at 350 covered for 45 mins. Uncover for 15 minutes to get the cheese a little browned.
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| Posted 5/3/11 9:41 PM |
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