master-cooks | Ina Garten's Tip For Turkey Lasagna Fixes A Classic Mistake

Ina Garten, the beloved culinary expert known for her approachable and elegant recipes, offers a valuable tip for perfecting turkey lasagna by addressing a common pitfall many cooks encounter. Often, lasagna can become watery, compromising both its texture and flavor. Garten's solution is to use a combination of turkey sausage and ground turkey, which not only enhances the dish's depth of flavor but also helps reduce excess moisture. By opting for turkey sausage, you introduce spices and seasonings that elevate the taste profile, while ground turkey keeps it lean and healthful. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of thoroughly cooking and draining the meat to eliminate any residual liquid that could seep into the layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce. Garten also suggests using no-boil lasagna noodles, which absorb extra moisture and contribute to a sturdier structure. These strategic adjustments prevent the lasagna from becoming soggy, ensuring each slice holds its shape beautifully. With her guidance, home cooks can transform their turkey lasagna into a well-balanced, hearty dish that preserves the classic comfort food experience while incorporating a flavorful twist, all without the disappointment of excess liquid.

Ina Garten's turkey lasagna has a few other deviations that set it apart

Ina Garten begins by sautéing onions and garlic before browning the turkey. Next, she creates the sauce by incorporating tomatoes, tomato paste, fresh basil, parsley, and seasoning with salt and pepper in the pan. Garten's turkey lasagna and her roasted vegetable lasagna deviate from traditional recipes in several ways. For example, her recipe recommends mixing goat cheese with the more typical cheeses used in American lasagna, such as parmesan and ricotta. While it's not necessary for this dish, Garten frequently makes her own ricotta cheese. Additionally, she surprises lasagna purists by soaking the noodles in a large bowl of hot water for 20 to 30 minutes instead of boiling them beforehand, and she slices her mozzarella cheese rather than shredding it.

Despite the inclusion of goat cheese and turkey, the recipe adheres to Garten's guideline of featuring no more than three dominant flavors per dish. It's also an excellent option for meal prep. While it may not resemble the lasagna your grandmother served on Sundays, the positive feedback from those who have tried Garten's version indicates that it's still incredibly tasty. For more insights from the Barefoot Contessa, be sure to check out these cooking tips from Ina Garten.

Ina Garten's Tip For Turkey Lasagna Fixes A Classic Mistake

Ina Garten's turkey lasagna has a few other deviations that set it apart

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