do you boil your lasagna noodles first or soak?!
Answers:
I par boil them. Here's how
Bring a large pot of water to the boil
Add a handful of salt and the lasagna noodles and give everything a big stir
Bring to the boil and boil for 4 minutes, stirring continually
Use a pair of tongs to remove the noodles from the water to a large rimmed baking sheet lined with a Slipat mat or parchment paper. Arrange the noodles in a single layer then ladel some of the pasta cooking water onto the noodles.
Cover the tray with a 2nd Sliplat mat or piece of parchment paper until it is time to layer the lasagna
If you are par-cooking the noodles, just remember to spray your baking dish well with Pam and ladle a bit of the sauce on the bottom of the pan before you lay down the first layer of noodles.
You do nott need to do either. If you are making a lasagna with a good amount of moisture you are good to go. You can actually use the noodles uncooked. The moisture within the lasagna will steam the noodles while cooking the lasagna. I use this method all the time and have never been disappointed. The only change you will need to make is to wrap the lasagna in foil for the most part of the cooking to seal in the heat. Once everything is done wrap the lasagna for the last 15 minumi nutset the top cheese brown.
Happy cooking
I always use the kind you don't have to par-boil. After all if you're not using fresh pasta then it's silly to be pretentious about the kind of pasta you use. They taste exactly the same and take a bootload of work out of the lasagna making process,
the soak in hot water works the same though and it makes things a little bit easier is all, but boil them if that's what you're comfortable with.
I used to boil them until I saw Ina Garten place her lasagna noodles in a pot of very hot water (boiling hot). They sat in the water for 10 minutes on the counter then she arranged her lasagna. It works beautifully. They don't tear anymore.
I do dry off the noodles with paper towels before I put them in the lasagna.
I totally agree with SuperShopper. I buy regular old lasagna noodles & put them in raw. I always put extra sauce in. It makes for a great dish because the noodles absorb the flavors of the lasagna.
years of cooking for a picky family
I have always followed the instructions on the box that says to boil them until al dente. Soak? no! they won't get to the al dente stage in less than an hour.
You need to boil them. Soaking them will make them gummy.
I use the no boil sheets.
Boil them - read the box for instructions
I always, always boil them.
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