How To Make Lasagna and All Homemade Lasagna Tips!• Two Purple Figs (2024)

Who can resist a saucy flavor packed lasagna? Today I’m sharing How to Make Lasagna taste even better using Pierogies! Layers of marinara, ricotta basil sauce, Mrs.T’s Pierogies, more sauces and cheese! Video included with this recipe!

Today delicious recipe post is sponsored by my friends at Mrs.T’s Pierogies. Makers of authentic Pierogies stuffed with the stuff you LOVE! All opinions are my own.

If you’ve never tried a homemade lasagna recipe, or if you’ve been searching for the most utterly flavorful recipe – I got you!

A homemade lasagna is pure comfort food for us. My family devours it, and I’ve been making it so often that I’ve found new ways to elevate it, simplify it and make it ahead of time.

So let’s get to it!

HOW TO MAKE LASAGNA

Let’s start with the recipe video and then we’ll break down why I use Pierogies, the sauces, the cooking, the storing and more!

How delicious does that look? Luscious melt in your mouth Pierogies laced with marinara and ricotta basil sauces.

WHY WE LOVE PIEROGIES

• Imagine creamy soft flavorful mashed potatoes stuffed between melt in your mouth dumpling dough.
• On top of that, each type of Mrs.T’s Pierogies is infused with extra flavor such classic onion, spinach feta, cheddar cheese, sour cream and chive, and much more!
• Adding Pierogies to lasagna is like having the best of both worlds luscious dumplings with mashed potatoes instead of just the noodles.
• Pierogies cook much faster than Lasagna noodles.
• Since cheese pierogies have a very smooth neutral taste, they take over the lasagna sauces so beautifully!
• Finally, pierogies in this recipe makes it easier to eat for kids! No cutting the noodles!

LASAGNA SAUCE

This is the basic marinara sauce for your homemade lasagna. I use onions, garlic and mushrooms to start off my sauce. However mushrooms are totally optional.

I also add in ground beef, which is likewise, completely optional. I feel it’s a great way to sneak in some protein for the kids since everyone LOVES lasagna!

Finally add in your crushed tomatoes and season that with oregano,salt and pepper. I add water to my marinara sauce because it’s essential for my pierogies to cook.

LASAGNA WHITE SAUCE

The creamy dreamy white lasagna sauce is like the icing on the cake!

While you’ll find some recipes for this sauce made in a traditional béchamel way, I prefer the simple classic Italian way.

No cook, no fuss no mess and pure lush sauce!

You’ll simply mix Ricotta cheese in a bowl, and add to that fresh basil (or basil pesto if you’re out of fresh basil), grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

To thin out the ricotta mixture into a sauce, you’ll add in about half a cup of cream. If you don;t have cream, likewise you can use half n half or even milk.

The main idea is to thin out the ricotta mixture into a creamy sauce. This is the simplest easiest way to make your lasagna white sauce. It tastes even creamier and richer than the béchamel sauce!

HOW TO LAYER LASAGNA

This is the fun part!

Choose an oven proof dish that’s about 9 by 13 inches in size and about 3 inches deep. If you love mini servings or making this lasagna for one or two people, you can also do that. Choose smaller size dishes and proceed with layering.

Start off with a spread of the Marinara sauce and make sure you cover the bottom of your dish entirely.

Drizzle a layer of the white sauce (ricotta sauce) over the red sauce and don’t blend them in.

Layer Mrs.T’s Pierogies in a single layer over the sauces.

Cover the Pierogies with another layer of Marinara red sauce, and top that with more ricotta sauce.

Finish off the lasagna with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, basil and Mozzarella cheese.

Cover the plate with foil and bake.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COOK LASAGNA

Cook your lasagna covered with foil in a preheated oven for 35 minutes until the Pierogies are tender, the sauce is bubbling and the cheese has melted.

At that point you’ll uncover the lasagna and continue cooking it for 10 minutes or so until the tops are golden.

If you don’t prefer a golden top lasagna, then your meal is basically ready after the 35 minutes of baking.

HOW TO STORE LASAGNA

Leftovers here tastes just as good, and even some people would argue it tastes better the next day. So store it in your fridge for up to 5 days in a sealed container.

MAKE AHEAD LASAGNA

Making Lasagna ahead of time is such a time saver! The beauty of make ahead lasagna is that it tastes just as fresh once it’s out of the oven, every single time!

Here’s how to prepare lasagna ahead of time:

• Double the recipe.
• Make all the lasagna sauces and have them ready.
• Prepare the baking dishes.
• Assemble and layer the lasagna as per the recipe, and finish of with the cheese sprinkles.
• Wrap the layered finished dishes with foil.
• Place it in the freezer as is well wrapped with foil.

HOW TO COOK FROZEN LASAGNA

Simply remove the lasagna from your freezer and place it straight into the preheated oven. Keep the foil on.

Allow the dish to cook for an extra 15-20 minutes than the recipe cooking time.

Serve right away!

HOMEMADE LASAGNA TIPS

• Use Mrs.T’s Pierogies for a richer, more flavorful and pure comfort food lasagna recipe.
• Choose from a wide variety of Mrs.T’s Pierogies flavors and sizes, for today I’ve used the mini size, cheddar cheese Pierogies.
• Make the sauces from scratch. It’s more flavorful and you can personalize it with or without mushrooms and beef. However if you’re rushed, use ready made pasta sauce, but add basil, parmesan and water to it.
• Adding water to thin out the marinara sauce is essential to allow extra liquid for the Pierogies to cook with.
• The ricotta sauce is a no cook straightforward sauce that’s luscious and delicious thanks to the basil and parmesan. Add basil pesto (homemade or storebought) if you don;t have fresh basil at home.
• Thin out the ricotta mixture until it feels like a spreadable sauce. Use cream, half n half or milk to do so.
• If you can’t find ricotta, use mascarpone or even cream cheese.
• Ricotta has a sandy texture, if you don’t like it substitute it above, or food process it until smooth.
• Layer the lasagna and use the Pierogies frozen straight out of the box—no need to cook them.
• Covering the lasagna during baking is crucial for the Pierogies to cook and the sauce to simmer quicker.
• Once the dish is ready, the Pierogies will be tender, the sauce bubbling and the cheese melted. You can enjoy it as is. However if you like a golden top to your lasagna, you’ll need to bake it uncovered for an extra 10 minutes more.
• It’s a great idea when you’re making this meal to make double the recipe and keep an extra dish in your freezer for busy days. Follow instructions above in make ahead lasagna.
• Frozen lasagna tastes just as fresh and delicious!
• ENJOY!!!

PASTA RECIPES TO TRY WITH PIEROGIES

Quick Shrimp Pasta with Garlic Feta Sauce

Instant Pot Chicken Pasta Dinner

Skinny Eggplant Parmesan Pasta

15 Minute One Pan Ravioli Recipe

One Pan Creamy Mushroom Tortellini