Lasagna is a great food. Ideal for holidays, great for babies, an indulgent Sunday dinner and even a “welcome to the neighborhood” gift. However, where this seemingly simple casserole gets its greatness is in the execution. The good news is, there are a few tips that can help ensure you make the perfect lasagna every time.

Choose the Right Recipe

If you have never made lasagna before, or even if you have and there is room for improvement, the first thing you need to do is find and use the right recipe. This may require a bit of research. Make sure you also read the reviews of what other people say about the recipe. This will provide quite a bit of insight regarding how the recipe will turn out.

Buy the Best Ingredients

In most cases, all-beef isn’t the best option. While most use ground beef in spaghetti sauce, in lasagna, sausage or some type of pork is best. A beef-pork combo is especially flavorful.

Also, if possible use whole milk ricotta and mozzarella, with fresh being the best option. While part-skim milk is fine, the flavor will be blander. Keep in mind, lasagna isn’t exactly a “diet dish,” so going full fat with the milk and cheese products is going to provide the best flavor.

Take Your Time During Assembly

You need to purchase the right lasagna pan if you don’t have it yet. This means you need one that is at least three inches deep so you won’t have the top of your lasagna bubbling over the side. Also, put some sauce in the pain first so that the first pasta layer doesn’t stick.

As you begin layering, follow this order: sauce, noodles, cheese mixture, sauce. Keep following this pattern until you reach the top. Take your time with assembly and make sure the top is fully covered by cheese so the noodles don’t get brittle.

Don’t Overstuff/Stack

As mentioned before, if you pan is too shallow, or you stack the lasagna layers too high, it may result in the mixture bubbling over the side and into your oven. You can avoid this by stopping just below the top of the pan.

Avoid Overcooking

Make sure to cover your lasagna with foil before baking it. Set your oven temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an hour. When the hour is up, remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes so the cheese becomes golden brown. Allow the lasagna to sit for about 10 minutes before you cut it to keep the layers from sliding apart.

Using the tips here will help you create an amazing lasagna that everyone will be excited to dive into. Not ready to tackle lasagna just yet? Let L’Amore do the hard work. Stop in today for a little taste of Italy.

There’s no denying it, if you cut carbohydrates out of your diet, you will lose weight. When it comes to eating healthy, moderation is the key. So if you want to limit your intake of carbs, that’s probably a good idea. But, if you’re a pasta lover- depriving yourself really isn’t a very good idea.

We want you to enjoy delicious meals the way they were meant to be enjoyed. We know that the Italians have nothing like the love/hate relationship with pasta that we have. The reason for this comes down to culture, lifestyle, and what they make pasta from. So, in the name of good health, and great food- we take a few pages out of their book when it comes to eating pasta without going up a size.

Use Whole Grain

There’s an important difference between carbs made from whole grain wheat and those made from white enriched pasta. The nutrient drained pasta and bread most people are eating are hard to digest and contain very little nutrients. Whole grain isn’t perfect, but it’s easier to digest and contains fiber- which is a vital nutrient for good digestive health.

Make Pasta a Side Dish

A big part of the way Americans eat comes from homesteading culture. In that environment, people living largely in conditions of poverty wanted to fill up on foods that would help them feel full longer. Today, we still eat that way even though we don’t need to. Eating smaller portions may make you stand out at get-togethers, but it’s an important part of eating healthy when you aren’t pulling a plow for 12 hours a day. A good rule of thumb is your pasta portion should not be larger than your hand.

Make it About the Flavor

The simple experience of eating is one of the most important aspects of our lives. It engages a higher percentage of the brain than any other activity, and we spend a lot of our time focused on food. So it stands to reason that by focusing on the flavor, we can make mealtimes more special, more memorable, and more satisfying.

You might have noticed that by following these tips, you aren’t taking pasta out of your life. Rather, you’ll be placing it in a position of privilege. We think that by honoring your favorite foods, you can eat healthier, and enjoy pasta even more.

To discover a little taste of Italy, visit L’Amore today.