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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,109
Registered: ‎04-14-2013

Cooking Lasagna - Covered or Not? Boiled Noodles or Not?

I cook mine covered until the end.  I use dry pasta.  It's usually pretty good (in fact, I have one on the oven now, with ground sausage, spinach, the usual sauces but also Ro-tel).  Fresh herbs, the joy of summer!

Cogito ergo sum
Honored Contributor
Posts: 41,253
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Cooking Lasagna - Covered or Not? Boiled Noodles or Not?

i always leave it covered until close to the end. i like it browned on top, but not overly browned.

 

i have never used dry noodles. i always boil mine to al dente and then use them. i will have to try them straight out of the box. i have also seen some put them in hot water prior to assembling rather than dry or boiled.

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Honored Contributor
Posts: 15,344
Registered: ‎05-01-2010

Re: Cooking Lasagna - Covered or Not? Boiled Noodles or Not?

Covered for most of the cooking time and uncover before it is finished. Dry noodles. As long as there is enough sauce they come out fine. I hate when I used to boil them, what a pain.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,645
Registered: ‎03-28-2015

Re: Cooking Lasagna - Covered or Not? Boiled Noodles or Not?

Covered until last 5 min and I am another one that boils the noodles al dente...

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,781
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Cooking Lasagna - Covered or Not? Boiled Noodles or Not?

Cover and then uncover until the cheese slightly browns.

 

I have been using the no boil pasta but I haven't been happy with Barilla lately, something definite changed.  I think next time I'll buy the pasta that needs to be cooked first.

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,892
Registered: ‎07-03-2013

Re: Cooking Lasagna - Covered or Not? Boiled Noodles or Not?

I tried the boil free noodles once and didn't care for them.  I boil the noodles and cook uncovered.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 15,344
Registered: ‎05-01-2010

Re: Cooking Lasagna - Covered or Not? Boiled Noodles or Not?


@GCR18 wrote:

I tried the boil free noodles once and didn't care for them.  I boil the noodles and cook uncovered.


@GCR18.  I don’t like the boil free noodles either. I just use the regular noodles but don’t boil them. They soften in the sauce as the lasagna cooks.

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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,109
Registered: ‎04-14-2013

Re: Cooking Lasagna - Covered or Not? Boiled Noodles or Not?

Well, this time I prepared the dish in advance with plenty of liquid and it was a little "soft", after some hours in the fridge before cooking.

 

I think it will be fantastic leftover, though.  The taste was very good.

 

Perfect eludes me!

Cogito ergo sum
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,262
Registered: ‎03-26-2017

Re: Cooking Lasagna - Covered or Not? Boiled Noodles or Not?

I pour boiling water over regular dry lasagne noodles and let them sit for 20 minutes to partially soften. (A trick I saw on Barefoot Contessa)  

 

I cover for about 3/4 of the time, then uncover to brown some.  

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,874
Registered: ‎12-07-2012

Re: Cooking Lasagna - Covered or Not? Boiled Noodles or Not?

Years ago, I bought a Fasta Pasta from QVC and use it specifically for lasagna noodles, cooked al dente.  Works great, although I didn't have much luck with long, thin pasta.

 

I also bake mine covered in foil, removing the last 5 minutes or so.

Denise