Gluten free recipes have become more popular than ever, with new brands popping up every day.
However, this popularity has also led to confusion when it comes to making these types of dishes.
If you’re trying to figure out what kind of gluten free lasagna to try next, we can help!
Below, you will find all the information you need about how to make your own gluten free lasagna at home.
What Are The Ingredients For A Gluten Free Lasagna Recipe?
There are two main things people often ask about when they want to know what ingredients go into a gluten free lasagna recipe:
- Can I use regular noodles instead of my favorite brand?
- Do I have to buy special GF flour?
While there are many different kinds of GF flours on the market today, using regular pasta noodles in place of the type you usually use is not an issue.
Most brands offer both whole wheat and white versions, so just check the label before you purchase them.
As for the other question, you don’t necessarily have to spend extra money on specialty flours if you already have some around the house.
You may be able to get away with simply adding some xanthan gum (a thickening agent) to your usual baking mix.
The basic formula for gluten free lasagna
One major difference between normal lasagnas and their gluten-free counterparts is in the way the cheese is added.
Gluten free lasagnas generally call for non dairy cheeses such as mozzarella or parmesan.
These are typically grated onto the dish right after it is baked.
Traditional lasagnas, however, require melting the cheese over low heat while stirring constantly so that it doesn’t burn.
This step helps to create a nice consistency throughout the entire dish.
In addition to the cheese, most traditional lasagnas include ricotta, which is a soft curdled milk product made from whey left behind by making cottage cheese.
Some people like to add fresh herbs to the dish, but this isn’t always necessary.
If you want to avoid any additives, you could always leave them out entirely.
All in all, the basic ingredients for a good quality gluten free lasagna are pretty similar to what would normally appear in one.
The only thing you really need to keep track of is the thickness of your sauce.
Since the noodles don’t contain starch, they tend to absorb liquid faster than conventional ones do.
How Do You Make A Gluten Free Lasagna?
Making a gluten-free lasagna at home isn’t difficult, but there are some things to keep in mind if you want to avoid common mistakes.
For example, many people tend to use too much cheese because they don’t know how to properly season their pasta sheets without adding extra fat.
The following steps show you exactly how to create a tasty gluten free lasagna from start to finish:
- Boil your noodles (or buy them pre-boiled). If you aren’t sure whether your noodles are suitable for baking, a quick way to test them is by dropping one into a bowl of water. You should be able to see if the noodle breaks easily once it hits the water.
- While the noodles boil, prepare the sauce. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and onions and cook until soft – about 5 minutes. Next, add tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Cook for another 10 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally. The end result should be tomato sauce with a nice flavor.
- Once the sauce is done cooking, drain the noodles and set aside. Prepare the meat filling using sliced beef, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, egg, and bread crumbs. Mix well and then spread the mixture onto each sheet of pasta, leaving enough space between the slices so that you can fold them together later.
- Next, bake the lasagna according to package instructions. Once baked, allow it to cool before cutting into squares.
What Is A Good Gluten Free Lasagna Recipe?
There are many different ways to make a great gluten free lasagna, but one thing remains true – they should include noodles.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a single type of noodle that works well in most cases (for example, rice pasta does not work well).
Instead, you must use something like egg noodles.
These noodles are made from eggs and flour, so they are similar in texture to wheat-based noodles.
They also cook quickly, which makes them ideal for a quick meal.
However, if you want to go beyond just basic noodles, then you may consider using some other type of pasta instead.
For instance, you could opt for whole grain penne, ziti or any other variety of pasta that suits your taste and dietary needs.
When choosing between different varieties of pasta, remember that each has its own unique flavor profile.
Some people prefer lighter pastas while others enjoy thicker ones.
There are even pasta sauces available specifically designed to complement certain kinds of pasta.
Of course, no matter which noodles you choose, you should always keep in mind that they contain carbohydrates.
Therefore, it is important to limit portions of the dish as much as possible.
If you don’t eat pasta often enough, then it might be best to stick to other options such as flatbreads or crackers.
In addition to choosing an appropriate type of pasta, you should also decide on a suitable sauce.
The right combination of ingredients can really improve the overall quality of the finished product.
Fortunately, gluten free versions of traditional pasta sauces are now widely available.
How Do You Make Gluten Free Lasagna Noodles?
To start off, let’s talk about why people choose to go gluten free in the first place.
While some may not be able to eat gluten due to an allergy, others choose to avoid gluten because they want to lose weight, improve their health, or simply change up their diet.
One way to accomplish any of these goals is by choosing to avoid gluten products.
If you know someone who suffers from celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder) or if you yourself suffer from other food allergies, then you already understand just how important finding a suitable replacement for wheat flour can be.
Luckily, there are many different options available when searching for gluten-free foods.
You might even prefer one type over another depending on your personal preferences.
For example, my husband likes quinoa better than brown rice so I often bake his meals using quinoa instead of white rice.
However, if you don’t like either of those two ingredients, you should check out our list of healthy and tasty alternatives.
Celery
When most people think of “noodle substitutes,” celery probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.
On its own, celery doesn’t really taste very good, but it makes great pasta.
To get rid of the bitterness, soak celery in water before chopping it into small pieces and blending it until smooth.
This mixture can then be used as a substitute for egg in your favorite baked goods or pastas.
Zucchini
Another vegetable commonly overlooked when thinking of noodle replacements is zucchini.
Like celery, zucchini contains large amounts of moisture which means it works well as a glue to hold together gluten-free noodles.
Zucchini can also be baked directly in the oven without soaking first.
I recommend adding a bit of salt to add flavor, and baking it for 15 minutes per side.
Spinach
There are actually three ways you could use spinach here.
First, you can just boil it and drain it before mixing it with eggs and seasonings.
Second, you can chop up fresh spinach leaves and mix them in with the sauce after cooking.
Third, you can sautee chopped spinach leaves along with garlic and onions in olive oil.
Seasoning is optional here, but garlic and onion are always recommended.
Nuts
Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor to anything you cook while keeping carbs low.
Nutritional yeast is made from dried brewer’s yeast and is packed full of protein and B vitamins.
When combined with cheese powder, nutritional yeast can give your dishes a savory taste without having much impact on your overall calorie count.
My favorite brand is Trader Joe’s Naturals Organic Nutritionals.
What Is The Best Gluten Free Lasagna Recipe?
The best gluten free lasagna recipe is one where you use a combination of different ingredients in order to create a tasty dish.
While there are many ways to go about creating this type of meal, here are some tips on how to choose the right ones.
- Use high quality pasta as your base. If you want to avoid using wheat flour, then consider going with rice instead. Rice pasta tends to be softer than regular wheat pastas so if you prefer a firmer texture, opt for rice based pasta.
- Get creative with vegetables. Lasagnas usually contain meat, but they don’t always require cheese. Instead, look into using other vegetables like zucchini, spinach, olives, mushrooms, peppers, etc. You could even add tofu, beans, chickpeas, lentils, or nuts.
- Try adding herbs and spices to keep things interesting. Herbs such as basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, marjoram, mint, chives, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cayenne, and cinnamon are just a few examples of spice combinations that you might enjoy while eating your lasagna.
- Make sure to read labels carefully before purchasing anything. Many foods labeled “gluten-free” may actually contain traces of gluten.
How Do You Make A Dairy Free Lasagna?
While there aren’t many options available for people following a vegan diet, there are some great options if you follow a lactose-free or non-dairy milk diet.
If you want to avoid dairy, but still enjoy eating pasta, then check out our guide on how to make a dairy free lasagna to learn more.
However, before diving into any type of dairy-free lasagna, it is important to note that not everyone should go dairy-free.
Some individuals may be sensitive to certain ingredients in dairy products such as casein (milk protein) or whey (liquid left over from cheese production).
In cases like these, you may want to stick to using soy or rice based alternatives instead of dairy.
If you don’t know whether or not you are allergic to dairy, however, try testing yourself by drinking one cup of plain yogurt.
Wait half an hour after consuming it, and see if any reactions occur.
If no reaction occurs, then you are probably fine to consume dairy without issue.
Non-Dairy Milk Options
- Almond milk
- Hemp milk
- Rice milk
- Soy milk
Vegan Cheese Substitutes
- Tofutti Better Than Béchamel Sauce
- Gardenburger
How Do You Make A Vegetarian Lasagna?
Vegetarianism is becoming increasingly popular in today’s world.
Many people choose to go vegan because they feel like animal products aren’t necessary for their health.
If you’ve decided to give up meat, then you might be wondering if there are any substitutes for traditional meat-based meals.
The answer is yes – there are plenty of ways that you can substitute meat without sacrificing flavor.
You might want to consider giving one of our other veggie lasagna recipes a shot before you start on this one.
The flavors in these recipes would pair well with most any type of vegetable based dish.
1. Use tofu instead of beef
Tofu is an excellent replacement for ground beef.
There are many different varieties of tofu available from organic to non-organic.
All of them work great as long as you cook them properly.
As with anything else, cooking time varies depending on the thickness, so always watch out for overcooking.
2. Try soy crumbles
Soy crumbles are made by shredding raw soybeans into small pieces and blending them together until smooth.
They are usually used as a topping for Asian food but you could use them in place of ground beef too.
Just remember to add some water to prevent burning during the baking process.
3. Make seitan
Seitan is another good alternative to ground beef.
Seitan is basically wheat flour mixed with vital wheat gluten.
Once cooked, it resembles hamburger patties and tastes just like real meat.
For best results, follow the directions on the package for preparation and cooking.
4. Cook rice pasta
Rice noodles are a common ingredient in Chinese cuisine.
While not quite as versatile as regular pasta, rice noodles still offer a tasty way to enjoy lasagna.
Cooked according to the instructions provided on the box, they should come out perfectly al dente (Italian for “to the tooth”) without breaking apart.
If you prefer softer noodles, cook them longer.
What Is A Good Meatless Lasagna Recipe?
A good meatless lasagna should be hearty enough to hold its shape while still being deliciously flavorful.
The right ingredients in combination will create a dish that tastes just as good as any traditional lasagna.
You want something rich yet healthy so you don’t feel guilty eating it later on.
Below, you will learn everything you need to know about creating an amazing meatless lasagna at home.
Don’t forget to check out our other articles if you’d like some extra inspiration:
How Do You Make A Vegan Lasagna?
Vegetarianism and veganism are both very popular diets nowadays, especially in the United States.
There are many reasons why people choose to go vegetarian or even vegan, but one reason that keeps coming up again and again is health concerns.
The most common concern among vegetarians and vegans is the quality of their food sources.
Many of them feel better eating healthy foods which they know are not processed by animals.
Lasagna is one dish that has been around forever, so it seems like an obvious choice when talking about creating a plant based version of this classic Italian pasta meal.
If you want to learn how to make a vegan lasagna, then read on to discover exactly where to start from!
Ingredients for vegan lasagna
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 1-cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes (or 3 cups fresh tomato sauce)
- 1 15 ounce container ricotta cheese
- 1 8 ounce package shredded mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
- 3 tablespoons corn flour
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
Instructions for vegan lasagna
To begin preparing the vegan lasagna, first place the onions into a large pot over high heat.
Once they are heated through, add in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Add in the quinoa, and stir until coated.
Next, lower the heat to medium, add in the salt, and cover with a lid.
Cook for approximately 10 minutes until the quinoa starts becoming translucent, stirring occasionally.
Remove the lid, turn off the stove, and allow the quinoa to cool completely before proceeding.
In the meantime, prepare the remaining ingredients as follows:
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, nutritional yeast flakes, and corn flour together. Mix well.
- Once the quinoa has cooled down, pour it onto a baking sheet and spread evenly across the surface. Then transfer the mixture back into the same pan and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Next, drain the liquid from the canned tomatoes and mix them with the cooked quinoa. Transfer the mixture back into the same pan used to cook the quinoa, and bring everything to a simmer over low heat. Stir constantly while adding the ricotta cheese into the mixture. When all three ingredients are combined, remove the pan from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Afterward, transfer the mixture back into the same pan and return the pan to the stovetop over medium heat. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens slightly. At this point, you should be able to pull the sides of the pan away from the bottom without much effort. With the bottom being pulled away, spoon the mixture into a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Repeat the process for each layer. You should end up with four layers of quinoa, followed by two layers of tomato sauce, two layers of ricotta, and finally topped with mozzarella shreds. Bake the lasagna for 25 minutes, uncovered, and serve immediately.
What Is The Best Way To Reheat Lasagna?
For many people, homemade lasagna is a special meal they look forward to each week.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much guidance on how to reheat this dish once it’s been made.
This can be frustrating if you want to enjoy lasagna for dinner one night but then again in the morning.
Fortunately, you don’t have to worry too much about the issue because most major grocery stores sell frozen versions of lasagna.
The good news here is that these frozen varieties are often just as tasty as their fresh counterparts.
You may even find yourself eating them more frequently given their convenience factor.
So, if you love lasagna and would like to eat it more often, buying some frozen lasagna is an excellent idea.
Just remember not to overcook them – they should still be piping hot after being defrosted.
You can use any type of dried pasta that you normally buy.
The only thing to watch out for is ensuring that it doesn’t contain eggs or dairy ingredients.
Otherwise, feel free to experiment with different types of noodles until you find something that works well with your lasagna.
Equipment
- 1 Oven
- 1 Pan
Ingredients
- 16 oz mozzarella cheese
- 8 oz ricotta cheese
- 8 oz cottage cheese curd
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
FOR THE SAUCE/LASAGNA:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 white onion
- 29 oz Tomato Sauce
- 28 oz tomato basil pasta sauce
- 10 oz Lasagna Noodles
Instructions
- Set the oven to 425F for heating.
- One cup of the mozzarella cheese should be set aside for later to top the lasagne. The leftover mozzarella and the remaining cheese combination ingredients should be mixed thoroughly in a medium bowl.
- Place the ground beef, onion, and medium-high heat in a sizable skillet. As you brown the ground beef, split it up into very little pieces. (Smaller is preferable so that there aren’t large meat chunks in the lasagne.)
- Returning the meat to the pan after draining any extra oil Once combined, add the sauces and heat through.
- In a 9 x 13 baking dish, spoon a thin layer of sauce on the bottom. A layer of sauce should be spread on top of each of the five noodles in the first layer after dipping it in the sauce. Put inside the pan. The remaining noodles should be used again. To accommodate the fifth noodle down the pan’s bottom, you might need to cut it in half. Simply layer it in as best you can if it breaks.
- Dollop half of the cheese mixture over the top of the noodles and sauce layer. Until it’s smooth, spread with a tiny spatula.
- The sauce should be applied in small spoonfuls over the cheese layer.
- Five more noodles are dipped or covered, then placed on top of the cheese mixture.
- Dollop the remaining half of the cheese mixture over the top of the layer of noodles and sauce. Until it’s smooth, spread with a tiny spatula.
- The sauce should be applied in small spoonfuls over the cheese layer.
- The remaining 6 noodles are dipped or covered in sauce before being placed on top. Top the lasagne with any sauce that is left over.
- Aluminum foil must be tightly affixed to the dish. 40 minutes of covered baking. Add the reserved mozzarella cheese on top after removing the foil. Bake for a further 15 to 20 minutes, or until bubbling and golden.
- Before serving, let the lasagne settle for 20 minutes. Cut and savour!
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.