A watery, soggy lasagna can ruin an otherwise delicious meal. There are a few key reasons why vegetable lasagnas often end up watery:
Excess Moisture in the Vegetables
Lasagna is loaded with vegetables like zucchini, spinach, mushrooms, and eggplant. If these veggies are not properly dried before assembling the lasagna, they can contribute a lot of excess moisture. Always pat vegetables dry with paper towels before layering them into the lasagna. Salt the vegetables and let them sit in a colander for 30 minutes to draw out moisture before assembling.
Thin or Watery Tomato Sauce
The tomato sauce or tomato puree used in veggie lasagna often contains a lot of liquid. To fix this, simmer the sauce for 30-45 minutes until thickened before making the lasagna. You can also add tomato paste or chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce to add flavor and absorb excess moisture.
Too Much Cheese
Cheese contains a lot of moisture, especially soft cheeses like ricotta or mozzarella. Use the recommended amount of cheese in veggie lasagna recipes, and avoid overloading the lasagna with extra cheese. Spread the cheese in thin, even layers instead of thick clumps.
Undercooked Noodles
If the lasagna noodles are not properly cooked, they will continue absorbing moisture from the sauce and vegetables when baked. Make sure to boil noodles until pliable but slightly undercooked before assembling the lasagna. The noodles will cook through fully while baking.
Excess Liquid in Assembly
When layering the lasagna components, avoid using too much liquid. Use just enough marinara sauce and vegetable juices to coat each layer. Ladle sauces and spoon vegetables rather than pouring liquid over the layers. Blot assembled lasagna with paper towels to absorb excess surface moisture.
Overbaking
Baking the lasagna too long can cause excess moisture to leak out of vegetables. Follow recipe bake times and use a thermometer to ensure the center reaches proper temperature without overbaking. Allow lasagna to rest 10 minutes before serving.
Tips to Fix a Watery Lasagna
If your veggie lasagna is soggy, there are a few tricks to fix it:
Drain Excess Liquid
Carefully pour or blot off any accumulated liquid on top of the lasagna after baking. This prevents liquid from soaking back into the dish as it rests.
Leave the Oven Slightly Open
Prop the oven door open slightly with a wooden spoon during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. This allows excess steam and moisture to escape from the lasagna.
Remove Foil Covering
Remove any foil covering the lasagna for the last 30 minutes of baking so moisture can evaporate away.
Broil at the End
After the recommended baking time, set the oven to broil for 2-3 minutes to help evaporate excess surface moisture. Watch carefully to avoid burning the top.
Use Paper Towels
Gently press paper towels onto the top of the lasagna after baking to absorb excess liquid on the surface.
Let it Rest
Allow lasagna to rest at least 15-20 minutes after baking before cutting. This allows moisture to reabsorb back into the dish rather than leaking out when you cut it.
How to Prevent Watery Lasagna
The best way to guarantee your veggie lasagna comes out perfectly moist without being watery is to follow these preventive steps:
Wring Out Spinach
Fresh spinach contains a lot of moisture. Make sure to thaw frozen spinach completely, then wrap in a clean kitchen towel and wring out all liquid before using in the lasagna.
Salt and Drain Vegetables
Toss sliced veggies with salt and let drain in a colander for 30 minutes before assembling lasagna to draw out excess moisture. Rinse and pat dry.
Simmer Sauces
Don’t just heat up jarred sauce – simmer it uncovered for 30+ minutes to reduce excess liquid. You can also add tomato paste or dried herbs.
Spread Cheese Evenly
Distribute cheese layers evenly and thinly instead of overloading in big clumps, which hold moisture.
Pre-Cook Noodles Properly
Boil lasagna noodles for the full recommended time until pliable but still slightly firm. They will soften fully while baking.
Blot Assembled Layers
Gently press paper towels or a clean kitchen towel onto each layer of veggies, sauce, and cheese as you assemble to absorb excess moisture.
Vent Baking Dish
Allow steam to escape during baking by covering loosely with foil, or prop one corner of the dish lid open with a wooden spoon handle.
Check for Doneness
Check for doneness at minimum baking time with a thermometer to avoid overbaking. Look for 160°F in the center.
Vegetable Lasagna Ingredients to Reduce Moisture
Certain ingredients can help absorb extra moisture in veggie lasagna:
Tofu
Drain and press extra firm tofu for 30 minutes to remove moisture. It gives a ricotta-like texture without the high moisture content.
Eggplant
Salted, drained eggplant soaks up moisture. Replace some of the zucchini or other watery veggies with eggplant.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Chopped sun-dried tomatoes in the sauce absorb excess liquid and add concentrated flavor.
Thick Tomato Puree
Use tomato puree or strained tomatoes rather than juice-filled chopped tomatoes for less moisture.
Parmesan Cheese
Grate extra Parmesan on top of the lasagna or mix into the ricotta. It adds flavor and absorbs moisture as it melts.
Breadcrumbs or Oats
Add a few tablespoons of breadcrumbs or rolled oats to the ricotta mixture to soak up excess moisture.
Dried Herbs
Use dried oregano, basil, parsley, or Italian seasoning in the sauce and filling. Dried herbs absorb more moisture than fresh.
Conclusion
Fixing a watery veggie lasagna is definitely possible with a little forethought and some simple tweaks during and after baking. Always thoroughly drain and dry vegetables, simmer sauce to thicken, evenly layer cheese, and vent the dish during baking. Soaking up extra moisture after baking and letting the lasagna rest before cutting can also salvage an overly juicy lasagna. Follow these tips and tricks for lasagna that is perfectly moist without being watery or soggy. With the right ingredients and method, you can enjoy flawless lasagna every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my vegetable lasagna watery?
The most common reasons vegetable lasagna ends up watery are excess moisture in the vegetables, thin or watery sauce, too much cheese, undercooked noodles, excess liquid during assembly, and overbaking.
How can I fix an already assembled watery lasagna?
To fix an already assembled watery lasagna, try blotting excess liquid from the top, leaving the oven door slightly open while baking, removing foil during the last 30 minutes, broiling at the end to evaporate moisture, pressing paper towels on top after baking, and letting it rest before cutting.
What are the best tips to prevent watery lasagna?
To prevent watery lasagna, wring out spinach thoroughly, salt and drain vegetables before assembling, simmer tomato sauce until thickened, spread cheese thinly, fully pre-cook noodles, blot each layer as you assemble, loosely cover during baking, and check doneness early.
What ingredients help reduce moisture in lasagna?
Ingredients that can reduce excess moisture in lasagna include tofu, eggplant, sun-dried tomatoes, thick tomato puree, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs or oats, and dried herbs.
Should I cover lasagna with foil while baking?
It’s best to loosely tent lasagna with foil during baking, or prop up one corner of the foil, to allow steam to escape. Remove foil completely for the last 30 minutes for moisture to evaporate.
| Lasagna Vegetable | Moisture Reduction Tips |
|---|---|
| Zucchini | Salt and drain slices before assembling |
| Spinach | Squeeze out all liquid, don’t just chop raw leaves |
| Mushrooms | Sauté before assembling to reduce moisture |
| Eggplant | Salt slices and let drain 30 minutes |