Nothing says comfort like lasagna. But why is that? Is it the towering layers of pasta, the rich bubbling sauce or the oozing melted cheese as it sits on a plate? Lasagna is certainly all of those things, but it’s really more about the warm memories and comforting thoughts that lasagna evokes. Everyone has a recipe and a story about the lasagna that their mom, nonna or uncle would make, so eating it is more about the personal experiences that go way beyond the noodles and sauce.
Which is why there are as many variations of lasagna recipes and techniques as there are people who make it. Some swear by a meat sauce with at least three kinds of meat. Other recipes add ingredients like hard boiled eggs and spinach, or even sub the pasta for squash noodles. And then there are those that like to make lasagna in a large roasting pan or even in a cast iron skillet.
So when we set out to design the perfect lasagna baking dish, we took into account the many different variables and in the end we couldn’t decide on just one dish or recipe. We ended up with two uniquely shaped baking dishes that we think will accommodate whatever type of lasagna you like to make, along with two recipes showcasing different classic styles of lasagna.
The Perfect Lasagna Dish
Of course you can make lasagna in any of our baking dishes. But we think the ideal lasagna dish needs to be deep enough for layers of noodles and sauce without bubbling over, and we found that this was missing from our stoneware collection.
Both the Heritage Lasagna Deep Baker and the Classic Lasagna Dish are generously sized, long enough to perfectly fit most brands of lasagna noodles and deep enough for several layers. However, they’re not just great for lasagna, though, and can be used for other types of layered casseroles, roasted vegetables, large cuts of meat and more.
The baking dishes are constructed from our premium stoneware to ensure that every lasagna is evenly browned and cooked to perfection, and the beautifully designed baking dishes easily transition from oven to table. Both are glazed in our iconic colors for a finish that is virtually non-stick, so scrubbing for hours to remove melted cheese and baked on sauce is a thing of the past.
"We cooked as many kinds of boxed dried lasagna noodles as we could find to be sure they would fit perfectly in our Lasagna baking dishes."
Roxy
Stoneware Category Manager
The Best Lasagna Recipe
As for our best recipe for lasagna? We asked our team for their favorite lasagna recipes and stories to share with you. The first recipe we are calling “Grandma’s Sunday Lasagna”, and was inspired by Nicole, our Senior Creative Production Manager, who told us her grandma made a lasagna similar to this on Sundays. She remembers going over to her grandma’s house and seeing the sauce bubbling on the stove, and spending cherished time with the extended family. It features a rich meaty sauce and layers of mozzarella and ricotta cheese.
The other recipe we created is aptly called “Italian Trattoria Lasagna”, and is from Nate, our Director of Marketing Communications, who recalls having the lightest most ethereal lasagna at a little trattoria in central Italy while on vacation. Since returning home, he has been trying to replicate that lasagna and that moment, and this recipe is his best attempt at that. Homemade lasagna noodles are layered high in between thin swipes of a light béchamel sauce and a ragú in the traditional Bolognese style.
Both of these recipes are just a starting point, however, so feel free to change the ingredients or method to create your own lasagna recipe and memories. No matter the recipe, the beauty of lasagna is that there is something for everyone. What’s your favorite lasagna recipe or memory?
