Why does my lasagna always turn out soggy?

Question

My husband and I make lasagna once in awhile and it comes out soggy and doesn't really hold together, when we put it on the plate it just kind of looks like a mess. It's the same recipe we've always used and it used to not do that. It always tastes delicious, but I would like to be able to make it for friends or family and have it look nice. As it is we only make it for us and our daughter since it looks so bad. Does anybody know what we can do to make it not so soggy and so that we can cut into squares and have those squares hold when we serve it? Thanks in advance for any advice!

Answer 1

Here is my trick and trust me it works.
Make your lasagna the day before you want to eat it, put it in the fridge overnight and reheat it for your meal the next day. This kind of meal is better reheated anyway, because all the favors blend together when you reheat it , and somehow, it seems to make the sauce less runny. You WILL get your perfect squares to serve it to company....
Good Luck!

Answer 2

You say that your lasagne always TASTES delicious. In your place, to be honest, I wouldn't fix what ain't broke. I make my lasagne with bechamel (instead of a sturdier ricotta-based filling), a super-yummy homemade tomato sauce, and lots of fresh basil. It is a little gooey and not very tidy, but no one has ever complained about it.

If you really are set on having it cut and serve more neatly, here are my ideas:

--Skip the delicious gooey bechamel in favor of a ricotta-based one, and make sure there's a fair amount of grated mozzarella in there as a binder.

--Whatever sauce you're using, reduce it a little more than you ordinarily would. Less liquid in the sauce means less liquid in the lasagne.

--Make sure that after the lasagne is baked, you wait 10 to 15 minutes before cutting into it. During that time the lasagne firms up a little bit.

But to play devil's advocate...if I were you, I'd make your lasagne the way you always have, and not be ashamed of serving it to guests. I'm guessing that they think it's great whether it looks like something from a cooking magazine photo or not!

Answer 3

A couple of hints for great lasagna:

Don't boil your noodles before hand, thre is enough moisture in the sauce to cook them.

If you don't already, add an egg to your cheese mixture.

Let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Have you changed your recipe at all? Maybe started using a low-fat ingredient, change noodle brands, or even have you moved (elevation, humidity)? All these things can affect the outcome.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Stop using jarred spaghetti sauce. Make your own sauce using more paste than tomato sauce and season it to your liking. The sauce used in lasagna is supposed to be thick!

Answer 5

I cook my noodles but not too mushy!!!! Then drain them on paper towels. You have to get them dry or the water drains in the lasagna and makes too much juice. Use lots of cheese.

Answer 6

Could be a variety of reasons, however the most likely is that you aren't letting it set after it is baked. You need to let it sit on your counter top, uncovered for at least 20 minutes before serving, otherwise it is soup.

Answer 7

u could be cooking the pasta for it to long, or if u are using fresh cheses it can have to much water in them. if u post the recipe on here people could help u find out what i mite be doing wrong better.

Answer 8

Your sauce is too thin use Prego or add tomato paste to your sauce .Add more cheese and less sauce.

Answer 9

Maybe you are over cooking the noodles?

Answer 10

you must drain your cheese over night
that is why it is coming out the way it is.
thank you and good night