Lasagna layers: Which order is right?

The word “lasagne” does not actually refer to the entire dish, but only to the pasta sheets. There are very different recipes for the filling, which are also coated in different ways. However, the classic lasagne is lasagne with Bolognese ragout.

In this article, I will show you the order in which lasagne layers are applied. This is according to the official recipe for lasagne Bolognese, which is available from the Bologna Chamber of Commerce. Good luck!

Coating lasagna correctly: This is how it works

To coat the lasagne Bolognese, you will need:

Béchamel
Bolognese
Lasagne sheets (preferably homemade)
Parmesan (Grana Padano also works)
A little butter (makes the lasagne even juicier and prevents sticking)

So that nothing can go wrong, I have added pictures of the individual steps. Have fun!

Note: This post has been updated to reflect the latest change to the recipe from the Italian Academy of Cuisine on April 20, 2023.

First layer: butter, béchamel, bolognese, lasagne sheets

First, grease the base of the baking dish with butter [1] (preferably the edges too). This way, nothing will stick to the dish after baking. Next, apply a small amount of béchamel and bolognese [2] and spread evenly with a spoon [3].

Now add the first layer of lasagne sheets [4]. I like to make them slightly larger so that they protrude over the edges and the filling doesn’t leak out of the sides.

Coating lasagna Instruction steps 1 to 4

Second layer: béchamel, bolognese, parmesan, lasagne sheets

For the second layer, first add the béchamel sauce [5] and Bolognese [6] to the pasta plates. Spread the sauces evenly again and then sprinkle with plenty of Parmesan [7]. Now add the second layer of lasagne sheets [8]. Make sure there are no air bubbles between the layers. You can pierce the pasta sheets with a small wooden skewer to release the air.

Coating lasagna Instruction steps 5 to 8

Third, fourth and fifth layer: béchamel, bolognese, parmesan, lasagne sheets

All the other layers (except for the last one) are topped in the same way: first apply the béchamel sauce [9] and Bolognese [10], spread well and then sprinkle generously with Parmesan [11]. Then cover with lasagne sheets [12].

Try to adjust the quantities so that the lasagne consists of at least 5 layers of pasta sheets. I usually make 6 to 7 layers.

Coating lasagna Instruction steps 9 to 12

Last layer: Béchamel, Bolognese, a little Parmesan and butter in each corner

For the final layer, apply a little béchamel [13] and Bolognese [14], sprinkle with a small amount of Parmesan [15] and then add small flakes of butter to each corner of the baking dish and in the middle [16]. This will make the lasagne super moist!

Coating lasagna Instruction steps 13 to 16

The next step: How to bake lasagne

Most of the work is done, but now the lasagna still has to be baked!

In the next article, Baking lasagne, you will find out what you need to bear in mind so that it doesn’t collapse when you serve it.

If you wanted to prepare the lasagne in advance, you can now freeze the lasagne and store it for several days without any loss of flavor.

You can find all my tips and information on keeping lasagne in my article Storing lasagne.

Lasagne Bolognese according to the original recipe from Bologna

Frequently asked questions about lasagne layers

Here I answer some frequently asked questions.

What is the first layer of lasagna?

Regardless of the recipe, the first layer is particularly important.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eIn a classic Bolognese lasagne, the first layer is the base of the baking dish, which is covered with béchamel or ragout. In other recipes, the baking dish is also coated with béchamel or sauce first. This prevents the lasagne from sticking to the baking dish later.u003c/strongu003e

What is the middle layer of lasagna?

The middle layers give the lasagne its flavor. You can combine several things in one layer or apply them individually. Or a mixture of both? Creativity is required here! u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eFor lasagne with Bolognese ragout, you can alternate between Bolognese and béchamel with Parmesan for the middle layers, or mix all three ingredients for each layer. In other lasagne recipes, the ingredients for the middle layers are usually mixed, but applied thinly.u003c/strongu003e

What is the last layer of lasagna?

The last layer is the crowning glory of the lasagne. It is the layer that will be visible to everyone and therefore requires special attention.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eFor the final layer, all the ingredients are applied once again (béchamel and bolognese for classic lasagne) and sprinkled with plenty of cheese (often Parmesan). This gives the lasagne a delicious cheese crust. You can switch the oven to grill mode for the last few minutes to get a crispy browning.u003c/strongu003e

How many layers does a lasagna have?

In fact, there is no rule that requires a certain number of lasagne layers. Nevertheless, it is possible to narrow down how many layers a normal lasagne should have.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eLasagne usually has between 4 and 8 layers. First spread some filling on the bottom of the baking dish to prevent the lasagne from sticking. Then there are 4 layers of pasta sheets and 4 layers of filling, alternating in each case. The last layer is usually thicker and topped with lots of cheese.u003c/strongu003e

How many layers your lasagne will ultimately have depends on how many lasagne sheets and filling you have. You should know in advance how many layers you want to make so that you can portion the ingredients well.

If you want to use all the sheets, you can easily work out how many layers to make. If you pre-cook the lasagne sheets, don’t forget that they will increase in volume again after cooking.