Boil regular lasagna noodles, or don't boil them???

Question

I have read so many conflicting theories! Some people swear by not boiling the noodles, some people say you must. Most people seem to agree that "no-boil" noodles are not as good. I admit, I tried no-boil and they turn out uneven and tough.

So, I have regular lasagna noodles; do I need to boil them first or not? (Yes, I will add water to the pan before cooking.)

BTW, My kids and I don't like "mushy" pasta, but I don't want "crunchy" either, lol.

Answer 1

I quit boiling them years ago. Doesn't matter if you use "no boil" or regular - all of the noodles must be covered with liquid during the baking or they'll be crunchy.

Answer 2

Partially boil, so they still have a lil bite to em, rinse and dry well(with paper towel. If they are wet it will make your lasagna over soupy!

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV4wQvr9z...

You should try an alternative to the same old lasagna, use 4lbs of burger and 2 packs of taco bell brand seasoning. Add a can of mild rotel, 2 or 3  jars of salsa (your favorite)and a lil water, add more chili powder, cumin, salt, 1 tsp sugar for plenty of sauce, till it tastes mexicanny enough then just layer it like lasagna with sour cream or ricotta or cottage cheese, grated monteray & cheddar. Bake the same. Add mre cheese  on top 5 minutes before done, just let it melt and top with green onions chopped.

It's good but also you can use corn or flour tortillas instead of lasagna noodles and layer & bake it the same too!

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...

Answer 3

Cook it first - cook til Al Dente and then shock it in cold water. This will stop the cooking process.  

Answer 4

Boil them until they are "al dente".  They will absorb some of the pasta sauce during the baking process.  I was totally unhappy with the "no bake" noodles, they never worked for me.  Stick with traditional good old fashioned "boil before use" method!  You can pretty much guarantee good results without taking a big risk on your dinner!

I love Lidia Bastianich and her lasagna recipe is simple and delicious:

http://www.randomhouse.com/knopf/authors...

PS:  How can you go wrong with an Italian grandmother's very own recipe?

Answer 5

Boil them partially! If you boil too much, they'll be mushy... but if you don't boil at all, they will be too hard.

So... boil them until they've absorbed just a bit of water and are just a bit flexible. Then, while they're cooking in the oven with all of the sauces, etc... they'll cook all the way, and have a good bite to them.

That's how my mom does her lasagna, and it's amazing!

Hope everything turns out okay! ^___^

Answer 6

BOIL!!!!  Its the traditional way.  Just don't boil too long and you won't get mushy after putting the lasagna together.