Lasagna Question

[DFen911]

Hello all, I'm the new kid on the block :)

I have a question about Lasagna. I have a big event on Friday afternoon. I am making 4 large batches of lasagna.

My plan was to assemble them tomorrow night and bake them Friday morning. I made my bolognese sauce tonight and will make my bechemel sauce tomorrow.

So my questions are has anyone used the No Boil pasta sheets by Barilla? And if so have you ever assembled your lasagna the night before? Do they hold up ok or get too mushy?

I also have on hand the regular boil type pasta (also Barilla). Has anyone used these and not boiled them first?

Not sure if I should boil them or not cook them and if they'll get enough moisture from the 2 sauces and get soft enough.

I'm so confused now.

[sweet ginger]

Welcome!
I've switched to a no-boil recipe. I also use Barilla (no-boil) and really like them. I've been really pleased with their more "al dente" texture when baked into a lasagna . It definitely doesn't seem to get as soft/mushy as my previous boiled noodle lasagnas when they've sat overnight.
Hope your event went well!

[mcel215]

Use the regular lasagna sheets, not the no boil.

Get a large pan, fill it with with hot tap water and put in the sheets. Let them sit for 10 minutes, a tip from Ina Garten. It softens them up a bit!

[cheesecake17]

I use the boil sheets, but I don't boil them. I usually add a little extra sauce. Never had a problem.

[DFen911]

Oh I hadn't thought about softening them first. I just don't want them to end up mushy since they will sit up overnight.

Thanks!

[mcel215]

They don't get mushy, but I don't let them sit overnight.

[itryalot]

Use no boil. Hot water in pan and soften. I find the regular don't get cooked enough unless you blanch.

[mcel215]

Hmmm.

I use Barilla and they do get pliable enough for me.

But, I used to blanch them for 5 minutes on the stove as well.

[itryalot]

REally? That's what I use. Do you use boiling water to pour over them in a shallow pan and let sit?

[mcel215]

Here's the link to the recipe and her directions for the water/lasagna noodles.

I don't remember if I let mine sit quite 20 minutes, but that is her tip.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/in...

[serious]

The no boil are not as good in texture or taste. I know people who use the boil first type but don't preboil them, use them directly, but this requires a lot of sauce and might work better if you bake and then reheat.

[alkapal]

"use the boil first type but don't preboil them, use them directly." my nephew does this, and he has great lasagne. boiling and handling lasagne noodles is a true pain...esp. for 4 pans.

thatsa lotta lasage!

[jpc8015]

This may be too late for you but I would recomend using the boil noodles exactly as the instructions call for. The no boil noodles always seem to have a mushy texture regardless of how long they sit in the sauce.

[dolores]

DF, I've used both and found the no-boil okay, but liked the boil macaroni better.