What is the purpose of these following things in Lasagna?

Question

Please explain the ingredients and their purpose in Lasagna. I need the description for what the purpose is behind putting these things in Lasagna.

 

-Lasagna sheets

-Minced beef

-Cheese

-Mushrooms

-Spices

-Spinach

 

Answer 1

This is a very odd question and I'm not sure you're getting a professional answer since I am only a home cook...loving Italian food.

 

Lasagna sheets - Lasagna is a layered dish and without the noodles, you would get layers. They also provide a specific texture to the dish. They also absorb some of the flavors of the sauce that you are using, giving the noodles more flavor and removing some of the excess liquid.

 

Minced beef - the main protein, lending loads of flavor to the sauce and providing a different texture for your tongue.

 

Cheese - an absolute in the dish. It normally has ricotta cheese as well as mozzarella cheese. The ricotta sort of melts and combines with the beef and the sauce. It also provides a sweetness to the sauce. I usually split the recipe to half cottage and half ricotta. The mozzarella gets stringy and holds the ingredients together as well as holding some to the pasta so that the layers stay more intact. otherwise, you might as well make a sloppy joe.

 

Mushrooms - love them. they exude their own flavor and do a great job of absorbing any excess liquid.

 

Spinach - I've recently been cutting spinach as if it were an herb. It's an easy way do get all the benefits of the dark leafy greens, but nobody seems to notice it. Of course it depends on what type of lasagna you are making. If you're Italian, meat is a must. If you're a health food person, spinach, mushroom, soy cheese, refried beans, use rice to absorb excess liquid, eggplant does a good job too as a sponge. So many recipes.

 

Spices - We've been talking about very bland ingredients. My Italian food has been described as Mexitalian. Cumin is awesome. Cilantro or coriander is great too. Some people like sweeter sauces and use nutmeg or cinnamon. Cooking in general without spices tastes very one dimensional. Enjoying a meal becomes only feeding without spices and sauces.

 

I think I've covered all your ingredients and I hope I've somewhat answered your question.