So, you’re making lasagna, but you have no idea how many eggs to use. Many things come to mind when preparing to make this traditional comfort-food dish full of cheesy, meaty or vegetable goodness. Eggs are usually not one of those things. Why is egg even included in lasagna? Is it necessary? How many eggs? We know your busy and about to make dinner, so we’ve done the research for you. You’ll find everything you need here to make that delicious lasagna meal.
The number of eggs in a lasagna can range. Most recipes call for one beaten egg mixed in with the ricotta cheese. Other recipes call for two eggs. We even found one highly rated recipe that suggested six eggs be used in the ricotta cheese mixture! We are confident that the number of eggs you use can range from one to six depending on your preference.
Keep reading to learn all about making the perfect lasagna dish, including how many layers and how to best cut and serve. You’ll learn everything you need to decide whether you want to use eggs and how many you might use. We’ll also provide a complete list of egg substitutes that work great in lasagna and suit your dietary needs. If you’ve just run out of this key ingredient, substitutes are also a perfect way to rescue your dish and save you from that last-minute trip to the store!
How Many Eggs Should I Put In Lasagna?
How many eggs to use in lasagna is not an exact science. The most common number of eggs to use is one or two. However, we did find a recipe by celebrity chef, Rocco DiSpirito, that calls for six eggs in the ricotta. Safe to say, that whether you use a recipe with one egg or six, you could still create a delicious dish. It really is a personal preference and worth experimenting with to see which you like best.
The bottom line is that you don’t have to put any eggs in your lasagna. Some people don’t use them at all. However, skipping this ingredient or its substitute in your cheese mixture will lead the cheese to separate a bit and create a runnier dish. Not ideal.
Where Do I Put The Eggs In Lasagna?
When eggs are used in lasagna, they are added to the ricotta mixture. Now we recognize that some people don’t even use ricotta in their lasagna. If you are using any soft cheese like the consistency of ricotta, that’s where the eggs go. Beat the eggs first, as if you are making scrambled eggs, then mix them directly into the cheese, and continue with your recipe. However, if you are using shredded cheese or otherwise avoiding the soft cheese altogether, you really won’t need to add the egg.
Why Is Egg Used In Lasagna?
In many recipes, the egg is used as a binder. The same is true for lasagna. If you want creamy lasagna that doesn’t fall apart, you’ll want to put some egg in your cheese mixture before creating your layers. During cooking, soft cheeses like ricotta can often separate. Nobody likes separated cheese in their lasagna or a beautiful meal that falls apart when you serve it.
Putting eggs in your ricotta mixture makes for a creamier cheese layer, binding together the layers of the lasagna and creating an overall dish that holds its form when served. If you can’t eat eggs, or you have run out, don’t worry! We found several other substitutes that will get the job done.
What Can You Use Instead Of Egg In Lasagna?
Some people can’t eat eggs or choose not to. Or perhaps you just ran out. Don’t worry. You can get the same effect by using one of the following egg substitutes:
Bechamel
Talk about traditional. For some, this is the only way to make lasagna. Bechamel sauce will replace both the egg and ricotta. This sauce is made by combining flour, milk, and butter. Only go with this option if you have some extra time, as it will take about half-hour to make this sauce. You can also melt in a hard or semi-soft cheese such as mozzarella or parmesan for added flavor and creaminess.
Flaxseed
A common egg substitute is flaxseed. To get the equivalent of one egg, mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of warm water. Let this mixture sit for about one minute. The result should be a gooey substance ready to replace the egg in your recipe. We suggest you steer clear of the six egg recipe when using this substitute, as using too much flaxseed can give a nutty taste.
Zucchini Or Pumpkin Puree
Heads up on this substitute, as it will add some different flavor to your lasagna. New flavors can create a great variation on an otherwise traditional dish. To use this substitute, about ¼-cup will replace one egg.
Mashed Potatoes
That’s right, mashed potatoes! Use about ¼-cup as the equivalent of one egg. Feel free to stir in some garlic or butter for added flavor. You can add the mashed potatoes right to your ricotta mixture, just as you would with the egg.
Tofu
Tofu works in many recipes as an egg substitute. For the best results, beat or puree the tofu before using it in your recipe. You can use ¼-cup as the equivalent of one egg.
Aquafaba
Aquafaba is the leftover water from canned beans. The bean taste will disappear when cooking. Use about three tablespoons in place of each egg. This is an excellent binding ingredient that we often throw away without even realizing its usefulness!
Cream and Cornstarch
Mix a bit of cornstarch into heavy cream and put that mixture in your ricotta. These two common ingredients put together will yield one of the creamiest egg substitutes you can find for your lasagna.
How Many Layers Should A Lasagna Have?
The general consensus is that your lasagna isn’t a lasagna if it doesn’t have at least three layers. Most lasagnas have three to four layers. Beyond that, your decision on how many layers to use is up to you!
Things to consider include the size of your pan and the number of people you plan to feed. You generally want to layer your lasagna to fill the pan, and if you are feeding a crowd, you can go up to six layers! We wouldn’t suggest more than six layers because it’ll start to get messy. Check out our post on lasagna layers to learn more about how many layers to use and what to put in each layer.
How Do You Cut A Lasagna Without It Falling Apart?
As you know, nobody likes a runny lasagna that falls apart when you serve it. While the egg in your lasagna dish will act as a great binder for the cheese and ultimately the layers in your lasagna, your dish can still fall apart if you serve it too soon. The best way to cut your lasagna without it falling apart is to let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes after taking it out of the oven. This allows the dish to properly set so that you can cut into it and serve up a beautiful square of lasagna.
In Closing
While there are many variations of lasagna out there, the egg is one ingredient you don’t want to skip. Now that you know what the egg does for lasagna, you can decide exactly how many you’ll use within the range we provided. You also have a great list of egg substitute options if you have run out or have dietary restrictions.
If you’re interested in another great lasagna hack, check out this post on making lasagna without cooking the noodles. It might save you some time if you went with the Bechamel sauce we told you about. Either way, we know that you and your family will love that delicious lasagna dinner you’re about to serve up. Buon Appetito!
