Best 4 The Best Make Ahead Lasagna Recipes
When it comes to classic Italian dishes, lasagna is undoubtedly a beloved favorite. With its layers of tender pasta, flavorful sauces, and gooey cheese, it's a dish that brings joy to both home cooks and food enthusiasts alike. If you're looking for the best make-ahead lasagna recipe, you've come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore various lasagna variations, provide helpful tips, and reveal the secrets to creating a lasagna that will impress your family and friends. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this article will equip you with all the knowledge and techniques you need to make a mouthwatering, unforgettable lasagna that can be prepared in advance and enjoyed at your convenience.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
THE BEST MAKE-AHEAD LASAGNA
This recipe comes from an America's Test Kitchen cookbook entitled The Best Make-Ahead Recipe. Everything I've made from this cookbook has been superb and this is my new favorite! The best part about this recipe is that it uses Barilla's No Boil Lasagna Noodles. After making this lasagna I will never use another kind of noodle! The noodles mimic fresh pasta because they turn out delicate, not chewy like other no-boil noodles I've tried. Make sure to use good quality canned tomatoes and don't be alarmed about the sauce tasting too tomato-y and sharp because the taste mellows dramatically in the final dish. The recipe calls for meatloaf mix but if you can't find it (or in my experience, aren't willing to pay the high price) you can substitute lean ground beef, pork, italian sausage, or any combination thereof. Whole milk ricotta cheese and mozzarella give the best results if you are freezing this dish to serve later but if you are baking this immediately then skim or part-skim ingredients can be substituted without any loss in flavor.
Provided by muncheechee
Categories < 4 Hours
Time 1h40m
Yield 1 Lasagna, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- FOR THE SAUCE: Heat the oil in a Dutch oven (or large pot) over medium heat until shimmering.
- Add the onions and cook until softened but not browned, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the meat, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and cook, breaking the meat into small pieces until the meat loses its raw color but has not browned, about 4 minutes.
- Stir in the cream, bring to a simmer, and cook until the liquid evaporates and only the fat remains, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato puree and drained diced tomatoes (and a splash of your favorite red wine if you feel so inclined).
- Bring to a simmer and cook until the flavors are blended, about 3 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside.
- FOR THE RICOTTA FILLING: Stir all the ingredients together until combined; set aside.
- TO ASSEMBLE THE LASAGNA: Spread 1 cup of the sauce over the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish (avoiding large chunks of meat).
- Place 3 noodles in a single layer.
- Spread each noodle with 1/3 cup of the ricotta mixture.
- Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzerella.
- Spoon 1 cup of sauce evenly over the cheeses.
- Repeat layering twice more.
- Place the remaining 3 noodles on top, cover with the remaining sauce, and sprinkle with 1 cup mozzerella and the Parmesan.
- TO STORE: Wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap and then foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze up to 1 month. (If frozen, the casserole must be thawed completely in the refrigerator, about 24 hours).
- TO SERVE: Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and pre-heat to 400 degrees. Unwrap the dish and cover tightly with aluminium foil that has been sprayed with vegetable oil spray (or use nonstick foil). Place a rimmed baking sheet under the dish to catch any overspill. Bake until the sauce bubbles lightly around the edges, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until hot throughout and the cheese is browned in spots, 25 to 30 minutes longer. Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
- TO SERVE RIGHT AWAY: Follow instructions above, reducing covered baking time to 15 minutes.
MAKE-AHEAD LASAGNA
This is an old standby when time's limited and guests are expected for dinner. It's a combination of several easy lasagna recipes I have tried over the years. -Mary Grimm, Williamsburg, Iowa
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h30m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large skillet, cook and crumble beef and sausage over medium-high heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in marinara and pizza sauces. In a bowl, mix eggs, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley and pepper., Spread 1 cup meat sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with 4 noodles, half of the ricotta cheese mixture, 1 cup meat sauce and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Top with remaining noodles, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight., Preheat oven to 375°. Remove lasagna from refrigerator while oven heats. Bake, covered, 45 minutes. Bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 462 calories, Fat 27g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 117mg cholesterol, Sodium 931mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 30g protein.
GRAMMY'S OVERNIGHT LASAGNA
My Grammy's version of lasagna. Prepared the day before and left in the fridge overnight, it pops quickly into the oven and is on the table in no time. Sometimes I'll gussy it up with herbs and spices, but there is something nice and simple and homey about how Grammy made it. Easily halved or doubled!
Provided by AuLait
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 9h15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook the ground beef in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes; drain fat. Stir in the marinara sauce, water, and salt. Bring to a boil. Remove sauce from heat.
- Arrange 6 noodles in a 9x13-inch baking dish, breaking if necessary to fit. Spoon 1/2 of the sauce over noodles. Top with 1/2 of the cottage cheese and 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers with remaining noodles, sauce, cottage cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Top with Parmesan cheese. Cover tightly with foil; refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Bake lasagna, covered, until noodles are soft, cheese is melted, and sauce is bubbly, about 1 hour. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 558.5 calories, Carbohydrate 43.5 g, Cholesterol 93.8 mg, Fat 24.4 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 40.1 g, SaturatedFat 11.6 g, Sodium 1339.2 mg, Sugar 11.2 g
MAKE-AHEAD LASAGNA
Looking for a classic Italian cuisine dinner? Then check out this cheesy beef lasagna casserole - a delicious meal.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 4h5m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Peel and chop the onion to measure 1/2 cup.
- In a 4-quart Dutch oven, cook the beef and onion over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked. Place a strainer or colander in a large bowl; line strainer with a double thickness of paper towels. Pour the beef mixture into the strainer to drain. Return beef mixture to Dutch oven; discard paper towels and any juices in the bowl.
- Into the beef, stir the parsley, basil, sugar, seasoned salt, tomatoes (with liquid), soup, tomato paste and water. Heat to boiling over high heat, stirring occasionally. Once mixture is boiling, reduce heat just enough so mixture bubbles gently. Cook uncovered 20 minutes.
- In an ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish, spread 2 cups of the sauce mixture. Top with 4 uncooked noodles. Spread half of the cottage cheese over noodles; spread with 2 cups sauce mixture. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat with 4 noodles, remaining cottage cheese, 2 cups sauce mixture and remaining mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining noodles and sauce; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil; refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
- Heat oven to 350°F. Bake covered 30 minutes. Remove foil; bake 30 to 40 minutes longer or until hot in center. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 430, Carbohydrate 43 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 31 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1030 mg, Sugar 11 g, TransFat 1/2 g
Tips:
- Choose the right lasagna noodles. There are two main types of lasagna noodles: oven-ready and no-boil. Oven-ready noodles are precooked and can be used straight from the package. No-boil noodles need to be cooked before assembling the lasagna. If you're using no-boil noodles, be sure to cook them according to the package directions.
- Make sure your sauce is flavorful. The sauce is the heart of any lasagna. Use a combination of ground beef, Italian sausage, and vegetables to create a rich and flavorful sauce. You can also add a can of tomato paste or crushed tomatoes for extra flavor.
- Don't skimp on the cheese. Lasagna is all about the cheese! Use a combination of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese to create a creamy and gooey lasagna.
- Let the lasagna rest before serving. Once the lasagna is baked, let it rest for at least 15 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the lasagna to set.
Conclusion:
Lasagna is a classic Italian dish that is perfect for any occasion. With a little planning, you can easily make a delicious lasagna that will impress your family and friends. These recipes provide step-by-step instructions on how to make a variety of lasagna dishes, from classic lasagna to vegetarian lasagna to white lasagna. With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find a lasagna recipe that you'll love.
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