Terrific tips for lovely lasagne every time
Tips for the best-ever lasagne
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Meat: buy the best you can
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Meat: use the 50/50 method
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Meat: add extras for a richer sauce
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/5aab5418-14ae-4bba-88f2-260df7c03658-4-pancetta.jpg)
Red sauce: use a large pan
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/8521fe4b-382c-40b4-926a-7eb99adee330-5-pan-of-bolognese.jpg)
Red sauce: ragù
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/bb1db5c2-4997-4c50-9493-e09a60a1e343-6-italian-ragu.jpg)
Red sauce: bolognese
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/58d47624-23d7-4846-ab34-30fa5cf8119a-7-bolognese-sauce.jpg)
Red sauce: opt for passata
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/9982d38b-574b-4ebf-9cb8-2f0e7ca4212f-8-tomato-passata.jpg)
Red sauce: don't forget herbs and spices
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Red sauce: take your time
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/ce1a9aed-0c95-43ba-b289-e059634d44bb-10-simmering-sauce.jpg)
White sauce: béchamel is best
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/5f55584b-e2a4-4e2a-af77-30cc5e697e52-11-bechamel-sauce.jpg)
Cheese: which is best?
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Pasta: dried or fresh?
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The jury is out on this one – some cooks favour fresh pasta, others dried. Fresh pasta is softer so there’s a risk it will cook to the point of mushiness, so if you like your pasta al dente opt for dried. For a richer lasagne, egg pasta will offer more flavour than the wheat-and-water variety. If you'd like to have a go at making your own then you can find our guide to homemade fresh pasta here.
Pasta: should I cook it first?
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Layering: choose the right dish
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Layering: what's the right order?
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Layering: be generous
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/726e1036-ed05-414b-8537-792b0052cd56-17-lasagne-pasta-layers.jpg)
Top tips: prevent it from drying out
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/f4236d27-710d-4ede-a8fa-985dee2a5879-18-lasagne-in-the-oven.jpg)
Top tips: let it sit
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/8cc1cc1f-26a4-438d-adbe-26de18bd1b9d-19-fresh-lasagne.jpg)
You may be tempted to tuck in straight away, but you want to let it settle and cool a little – at least 10-20 minutes before serving. If you cut it too soon, the layers will be sloppy when you cut it and it won't hold together at all, plus the molten sauce is too hot to eat anyway. If batch-cooking for the week ahead, let it cool off completely, then cut into portion sizes. Discover the latest advice about how to store and reheat food safely here.
Top tips: what sides to serve with it
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/33289846-951b-412e-9e04-52b1b46fadc5-20-green-beans.jpg)
Top tips: freezing lasagne
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/b1af082f-74a6-4c16-b8c7-ce89a31defa4-21-freezing-lasagne.jpg)
Lasagne freezes well and can be frozen if it's been cooked (for example, if you have leftovers) or uncooked. Cover the lasagne with foil and freeze flat. If you’re making more than one, it’s a good idea to make them in disposable foil trays so you don’t use up all your oven dishes.
Try it: classic lasagne
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/a5795a09-4eb0-4e39-9281-74819856ffe9-22-classic-lasagne.jpg)
You simply can't go wrong with a classic. Layers of silky pasta, creamy white sauce and rich meat sauce all come together in this tried and tested recipe. While the recipe does require quite a long cooking time, it's mostly hands-off as you're waiting for the sauce to simmer and the lasagne to bake.
Try it: one-pan vegetable lasagne
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This is a fab veggie take on the classic that also saves on the washing up as it's all made in one pan. It also needs a lot less cooking time as everything's cooked in an ovenproof pan so it's ready in under an hour. To make it suitable for vegetarians, just swap mozzarella and Parmesan for rennet-free alternatives.
Try it: open lasagne with mushrooms
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A lighter lasagne for when you want comfort food that's a bit healthier, this is a vegan recipe that incorporates lots of nutty flavours like mushrooms, cashew ricotta and toasted pine nuts. If you don't need the recipe to be vegan, but just want a lighter alternative, you can skip the cashew ricotta and just use regular soft cheese instead.
Try it: pasta-free lasagne
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Try it: vegetarian lasagne
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/aacdddcf-831b-44cc-bbda-13a24636a992-26-vegetarian-lasagne.jpg)
If you're not a fan of vegetarian meat substitutes, try making your bolognese with lentils. Add whatever mix of veg you want, like carrot, celery, peas and onions, and assemble exactly like you would a regular lasagne. As the lentil-based bolognese can be quite heavy, you might want to swap the pasta sheets for aubergine. If you skip the béchamel in this recipe or use gluten-free flour, it also makes the lasagne gluten free.
Try it: chicken and mushroom lasagne
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/e494ca7a-88d3-447b-be97-79545db1233b-27-chicken-lasagne.jpg)
Try it: Italian sausage lasagne
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/d44e52e7-fdfe-4a27-b96b-51a1f0e58438-28-sausage-lasagne.jpg)
Try it: creamy spinach lasagne
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/f6b9cf4b-c11f-413d-905e-4bc5ebb98d40-29-spinach-lasagne.jpg)
Try it: lasagne rolls
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Lasagne rolls are a popular American take on this dish where everyone gets their own wrapped portion. Meat sauce, or a ricotta and spinach mixture, is rolled in par-boiled lasagne sheets that are placed in a dish that is sometimes – but not always – spread with béchamel. The rolls are then smothered in red sauce and cheese, then baked until golden.
Now discover genius pasta and sauce combos for delicious dinners
Try it: lazy lasagne
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/e390c846-d0bc-4cbd-8fcb-1fe7fbb3807d-31-lasagne-in-a-pan.jpg)
Really fancy the comforting flavour of lasagne but can't be bothered to cook the real deal? This cheat's skillet lasagne is exactly what you need. Par-boil the pasta sheets, make a simple meat sauce (you could use ready-made sauce to cut even more corners) and mix blanched spinach with ricotta, nutmeg and seasoning. Layer the meat sauce, the cheese mix and pasta sheets twice, then finish off with a touch of the meat sauce, some of the spinach mixture and grated Cheddar. Slide under the grill and bake for around 15-20 minutes.
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