13 Ways To Upgrade Lasagna You Probably Never Thought Of

Lasagna may come from Italian tradition, but it has long crossed the borders, and we can freely say that we are talking about the dish that many regions adopted and adapted into their culinary canon. The classic lasagna is a well-familiar affair: Stacks of thin lasagna sheets are intertwined with flavor-packed meat sauce topped with gooey layers of melted cheese. An extra touch of a crunchy top crust serves as the perfect antidote to the sloppy, tender center. Cutting into it, you do not expect to see a neatly assembled, technically precise casserole; you want the cheese to stretch and the meat to ooze out. Lasagna is not picture-perfect, but flavor-wise, it is one of the most incredible options for a comforting meal.

Though lasagna is flawless in its original form, sometimes even perfection can be amplified. In this case, we are talking about ingredients that will take your lasagna to the next level and diversify your cooking repertoire. We hate to admit it when it comes to lasagna, but sometimes, change is good, and these unconventional upgrades might make you fall in love with lasagna all over again. Some add complexity, depth, and flavor, while others amp up the creaminess and nutrition levels. Every item on the list is easily available for convenient application. Now, let's find your next favorite lasagna upgrade and get creative.

Ravioli are something that you will certainly never see associated with classic lasagna. This idea most likely stemmed from the kitchens of Italian Americans, but despite the total disharmony with tradition, using ravioli instead of plain pasta sheets might be the most ingenious lasagna twist.

The process is simple: Switch your regular lasagna pasta for your favorite stuffed ravioli. You can use fresh or frozen kinds, which can be used as is or cooked beforehand. Both options should work; just layer them evenly so there is minimal overlapping. 

With many ravioli varieties, you'll have to choose the one that will work with the other ingredients in the dish. The safest option is always the cheese-stuffed ravioli, which are typically filled with ricotta. They are neutral enough to work with most lasagna recipes, but they offer a fun, cheesy surprise when you cut into the lasagna. You can exercise creativity with the selection of pasta fillings. Choose mushroom-stuffed ravioli for an aromatic umami kick, increase the creaminess with pumpkin or potato ravioli, or go for the meat-stuffed pasta pockets for the carnivores.

You don't have to restrict yourself to ravioli, as there are many other stuffed pastas to choose from. Though, make sure the pieces are thin and suitable for layering. Even the culinary queen Ina Garten recommends this combination, so you can be sure it works perfectly.

Mushrooms are ubiquitous in home kitchens, but we rarely think of adding them to lasagna, though they can be easily incorporated for incredible depth of flavor. They are convenient if you're whipping up meat-free lasagna, as they can mimic the meaty texture. Mushrooms also perform well in the flavor department, as they pack powerful earthy and savory nuances that blend into umami-like richness.

If you want a hint of that earthy sweetness, add mushrooms straight into the meat sauce and stew until they are well integrated. However, if you're going for the meat-free route, it's best to turn the mushrooms into a rich mushroom ragù by sautéing them with onions and spices. You can tweak it with tomatoes to resemble the classic meat sauce. Mushrooms go well with béchamel or ricotta sauce, but you can also leave them out as the mushrooms will provide enough creaminess. They are also a suitable partner with strong-flavored cheese, which usually goes inside or on top of lasagna, so feel free to play around and create a version that suits your taste. There are no restrictions when it comes to the selection of the mushrooms. Use regular button or cremini mushrooms, or go for full-flavored porcini or chanterelles. You can even use different types of mushrooms together.

We mostly limit squash to soups and pies, even though it has the potential to do more in the kitchen. Zucchini, a summer squash with soft, edible skin and flesh, tends to get more love. You'll often see it fried and grilled, but it generally feels as if we should let this versatile fruit show off more. For starters, start incorporating it into lasagna and other similar casseroles.  

Squash can easily add more character to your original lasagna recipe. Sweeter varieties will lend satisfying sweetness and hearty richness, while the younger ones impart a lighter herbaceous element. For sweet winter varieties, it's best to roast the whole squash, scoop up the creamy mash, season, and incorporate it as one of the lasagna layers. Summer squashes that are more juicy and tender can be fried and used as one of the layers, but they are also great as a nutritious addition to the meat ragù. As squash tends to soften when cooked, it can be an excellent choice to replace the pasta with zucchini. Just slice them thinly and layer them with other elements. Not only will squash provide texture to your lasagna, but it will also give a wonderful boost of flavor and add fruits to your meal. 

It seems that bacon is always the go-to ingredient that instantly makes food better and more flavorful. Unsurprisingly, the same applies to lasagna. Adding bacon to lasagna is not unheard of, but it's not a common ingredient you will usually see listed in lasagna recipes. The easiest way to implement bacon is to fry bits of it until they are nice and crispy and then sprinkle it on top of each layer. This technique will enhance the flavor and add a pleasant textural component, with crispy bits in each bite. Another way is to dice the bacon and incorporate it into the ragù or tomato sauce. Bacon will infuse the sauce with a faint smoky note, evenly distributed throughout the dish.

For the ultimate bacon overload, wrap the whole lasagna in bacon, just like you would with meatloaf. Assemble bacon slices on the bottom of the baking dish, with the tops hanging out on the sides, and then layer the lasagna as usual. When your lasagna is assembled, throw the hanging bacon slices over the top. You will end up with a package-like lasagna creation with a thin and crunchy bacon coating. The bacon will crisp up and lend some of its flavor and fatty juices to your lasagna.

Though cheese is one of the essential parts of every lasagna, it should only act as a supporting character and not the dominating element. The cheese selection is usually of classic sorts and relies on tried and tested favorites. In most cases, traditional lasagna will feature Parmigiano Reggiano and mozzarella, but cheddar and other types of aged cheese are also common, as well as the light and tangy ricotta. On the other hand, goat cheese is an unexpected and unconventional option, but it can be a real game-changer for lasagna.

Goat cheese varies in texture and flavor depending on the style and age. Though there are subtle differences, you want something with more character for the lasagna. As this is such a strongly flavored and potent dish, the tangy and zesty note of goat cheese should be noticeable and cut through all the fat and meaty richness. Aged goat cheese would get that effect. If you're aiming for a milder flavor, use fresh goat cheese — you'll often see it labeled as chèvre.

Lentils often don't get the credit they deserve. These tiny legumes come in many colors and can jazz up soups, stews, casseroles, or salads. They make creamy hummus-like spreads and perfectly thickened sauces. Besides their versatility, lentils are an excellent protein source and are genuinely budget-friendly. In lasagna, they can be a great meat alternative but also help you build a more wholesome and nutrition-dense dish, according to Healthline.

If you want to incorporate lentils into lasagna, the optimal way is to cook them together with the meat sauce. Red lentils are ideal as they cook quickly and instantly turn into a soft and creamy base that blends with the color of the sauce. If you want to make vegan lentil lasagna, use lentils and cook them down with a generous amount of seasoning, tomatoes, spices, and other vegetables to build a sauce that delivers a medley of flavors and textures. For this version, use brown or green lentils, which have much more substance and will retain some chew.