Lasagna Comparison

[Crafty Amanda]

How do you make your lasagna? Do you cook the noodles first? Do you use ricotta cheese or cottago cheese? Italian sausage and ground beef or no meat at all? Let's compare!

[Crafty Amanda]

Here's how I make my lasagna I got this recipe off the back of a package of Creamette Lasagna noodles several years ago. I haven't seen it on the back of the boxes in a long time, so I am very glad I saved it!

1/2 of a 1 lb package lasagna, uncooked
1 lb bulk Italian sausage
1/2 lb ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 oz) can tomatoes, cut up (undrained)
2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp basil leaves
1/2 tsp fennel seed
1/4 tsp pepper
1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
1 egg beaten
1 tbsp parsley flakes
1/2 tsp salt
4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup grated parmasan cheese

(the written recipe also calls for pitted olives but I don't use them)

Preaper lasagna according to package directions, drain. In large skillet, combine Italian sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until sausage is no longer pink and onion is tender; drain. Stir in next 7 ingredients. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, simmer 20 minutes. In medium bowl, blend ricotta, egg, parsley, and salt. Spoon 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce into 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Layer one-third each lasagna, remaining meat sauce, ricotta mixture, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. Repeat layers. Cover. Bake in 375 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Uncover, bake until hot, about 20 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

8-10 servings.

YuM!

[ajrsmom]

I make my lasagna by cooking the noodles first, then I brown hamburger( sometimes hamberg and hot sausage) and I mix ricotta cheese in with it to save a step in the layering.

To assemble.....

Cover the bottom of the pan with some sauce and layer noodles, meat/ricotta, canned mushrooms, shredded moz. cheese.....ending with a layer of noodles, sauce and cheese.
Bake until heated through and cheese is bubbly.

I like veggie lasagna too but thats way too healthy for my Dh! ;-)

Forgot to add that I add spices to the sauce too.

[janet]

I like to make Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna. It gives my guys something else to eat besides meat all the time.

Mix ricotta cheese, parmasan cheese, mozerella cheese, 1 egg, Italian Seasoning.

Cook 1 package of frozen spinach in the microwave. Squeeze the water out of the spinach so it is fairly dry.

Slice mushrooms or buy them already sliced.

Jar of Prego Sauce

Box of NO-Cook Lasagna noodles.

In lasagna pan, pour sauce to cover the bottom of pan. Add 1 layer of noodles. Spoon dollops of cheese mixture on top of noodles, next add spinach, mushrooms and top with a layer of noodles...continue layering till all ingredients are used. If making a large batch double the amount of ingredients.
The last layer is a top of noodles with sauce and mozerella cheese.

Next I spray aluminum foil with Pam Spray...cover lasagna, cook in oven 375 for 30 mins. Uncover and cook for 10-20 more mins.

Variations are to add ground beef, pepperoni, sausage, veggies, if you like it...toss it in there! lol


And if you like your lasagna more moist add more sauce...and sometimes I top the lasagna with a small can of spicy hot v-8 to give the lasagna a little zip!


I the no-boil noodles...it saves so much time and you can whip the meal up quick before everyone starts snacking before dinner! lol

janet

[Bilby]

Hi, there are lots of variations, here's mine
I make the mince the same as for spaghetti but a bit thicker.
I use the instant lasagna pasta
a cheese/bechemel white sauce.
I layer it in an ovenproof dish starting with pasta, mince and cheese sauce and go for 2-3 layers top with small amt of mince and mozzerella cheese. Must cover all of the top layer of pasta or it goes dry and crispy.
bake for about 45 mins or so.
I usually make a double batch and freeze 1/2 for another time.

[Valerie M.]

I always cook my lasagna before I bake it. Once the fork can pierce it, then I feel it has boiled enough. Have to be careful not to overcook it before it goes to the oven.

Have always used ricotta cheese in mine. I mix the ricotta with an egg and some parmesan cheese mixed with mozzarella cheese. I also use both sweet Italian sausage and homemade meatballs in mine. The meatballs and sausage are done ahead of time in the crockpot with my sauce. Once done, I slice up the sausage and slice the meatballs for one layer. My mother used to have a layer of boiled eggs in her lasagna.

I bake it at 350 degrees for a half hour.

I love it but never seem to think of making it alot during the year. It is a favorite in our family for Christmas dinner.

My daughter is a vegetarian, so I use spinach mixed with the cheeses for her dinner.

Valerie M.

[Shawn]

My Lasagne


I made a 10 layer lasagna every year for Christmas (regular 5 layer for other times) But I will give you the 1 box recipe.

1 pkg lasagna noodles (I use Ronzoni or Barella)
my own Meat Sauce (I can supply recipe)
1 15oz container Ricotta Cheese (mixed with parsely, pepper, mozzarella, egg)
Mozzarella cheese
parmesan cheese
chopped meat

There is always a layer of sauce on the bottom of the pan. Then my layers are as follows:

noodles, ricotta mix, cheese, chopped meat and sauce then repeat.

When completed I place cheese on top and cook.


IMPORTANT TIP:

When baking anything like Lasagna have you ever noticed that the corners are always dried if not hard and burned..??? Well next time try to bake it in a round or oval dish - not metal. This willdistribute the eat better so you donot get dried out corners. (I do not do this with my 10 layer but will with the smaller one and it does work).

[OmommyO]

We are pretty much simpletons around this house. None of us like the curdy cheese so I leave it out and get rave reviews for my(my moms) lasagna.

1 lb ground beef
1 pan spaghetti sauce (any recipe)
1 lb mozzerella cheese (shredded)
9 lasagna noodles.

Make sauce and let simmer until ready to use. Brown beef, mix in sauce. Cook your noodles and you are ready to go. 1st layer) Put 3 noodles on bottom of 9x13 pan. Put sauce then cheese. 2nd layer) Noodle, sauce cheese. 3rd layer) Noodle, cheese sauce. Bake until warmed through. Wonderful with garlic bread and lettuce salad. (May make this tonight!) Yum Yum!!!

[ldyroper]

I never cook my noodles. I spray pam on the bottom of my pan, then put a layer of sauce, then my noodles and start layering. cover tightly with foil and bake for an hour or alittle more. Makes making lasanga very simple.

[kzoo44]

I love seafood lasagna!!!!!!! Also our favorite is veggie lasagna. As far as the noodles go it depends on what mood I'm in weather the noodles are cooked before hand. I think any of the lasagna I've eaten it doesn't matter with the taste. ;-) Susan