Anyone can create a new dish with classic lasagna recipes. The key is considering what changes need to be made and identifying those ingredients that can be replaced with something else. Whether the current favorite is a three cheese version or one loaded with meat, it can be made more exciting by adding a new twist.
Many people like meat in their pasta dishes. It can be easy to replace ground beef or sausage with ground turkey or chicken. Browning the ground turkey a bit before baking can give it the appearance of beef or sausage, with fewer calories and less fat. This makes the dish healthier for those who want to reduce fat.
Those who want to avoid meat entirely can use small pieces of tofu or beans. The dish will still have plenty of flavor. Kidney and navy beans work well with sauce. They may need to be soaked overnight and cooked slightly before adding to the lasagna recipe. Beans add healthy fiber to the dish and are an excellent source of protein that works well with cheese and sauce.
To add fiber and make the dish healthier the chef can add some chopped peppers to the sauce. Olives, scallions, and red onions will also add flavor. Other versions use sliced eggplant, zucchini, or squash sliced and layered between the pasta. Many people add chopped spinach or broccoli between the noodles, for a more balanced dish.
Many prepared sauces are loaded with calories. For a lighter version try making the sauce or buying plain tomato sauce in the can and adding the desired herbs and spices. The sauce can be flavored to one’s personal taste. Adding some basil, garlic, and cilantro can make a tastier dish.
Many people today are focused on eating whole grains. There are plenty of whole wheat pastas available in stores. Some well known brands make whole wheat lasagna noodles for a high fiber lasagna recipe. Those who cannot eat wheat or have a gluten intolerance can easily substitute rice noodles for the wheat variety. Many stores now have a wide range of gluten free noodles.
Some brands will combine rice and tapioca starch. They are still healthy and a good source of many vitamins.
Cheeses are an important part of any lasagna recipes. Three cheese dishes can be loaded with fat. Try substituting with low fat versions of cheese. Select those cheese varieties that are light in color, like provolone and mozzarella, to reduce the fat. A lasagna recipe can accommodate a vegetarian or a person with lactose intolerance. There are plenty of soy cheeses that melt and cook like the real version.
Lasagna recipes does not have to reflect an Italian flavor. Bacon and pineapple give it a Hawaiian twist. Adding avocado, chili peppers, and beans will give it a Mexican flavor. Ham and cabbage will give it an Irish twist. There is no limit to what a cook can do to give the dish more excitement. Those who need ideas can find plenty of new versions online. Be creative and make the dish reflect the season or a specific ethnic background.
