Weird cooking question-- no boil lasagna noodles

[klacey1]

So I'm going to be making lasagna tonight using a Pioneer Woman recipe. I picked up no boil noodles from Trader Joe's and the recipe on the side says that after layering the cheese and sauce to let the lasagna sit for a half hour before baking to let the noodles absorb the liquid. I've never used these noodles before and am unsure if that step is just for that particular recipe, or if you need to always do that with no boil noodles. I'd rather not waste the time if it's not totally necessary. Help!!

 

[whoopsiedoodle]

IMO it's not usually necessary but I do generally let my lasagna sit for a 15 minutes or so while the oven heats and what not. It may be those particular noodles too.

 

[njmom47]

So I'm going to be making lasagna tonight using a Pioneer Woman recipe. I picked up no boil noodles from Trader Joe's and the recipe on the side says that after layering the cheese and sauce to let the lasagna sit for a half hour before baking to let the noodles absorb the liquid. I've never used these noodles before and am unsure if that step is just for that particular recipe, or if you need to always do that with no boil noodles. I'd rather not waste the time if it's not totally necessary. Help!!

I use Barilla or Ronzoni no bake noodles and have never let the already-made (but not yet baked) lasagna sit. So far, no complaints from anyone who's eaten it (but maybe that's because ds, 18, and dh will eat anything ).
If it's on the directions, I didn't notice, but I'm one of those cooks who doesn't always follow recipes.

 

[anniemae]

I've never let it set before, but I use the Barilla brand, not TJ's. Not sure if the TJ's brand is different for some reason?

 

[yoopermom]

I have noticed a difference in taste/texture when I bake a pan that I've just put together vs one that I've put together and then let sit (refrigerated) either for a few hours or even overnight before cooking. Both are edible, but I like the *melded* flavors of the one that's sat, more.

Just don't skimp on the sauce/liquid, and you should be fine, either way, I would think.

Terri

 

[pweyl36]

I have always used regular noodles. I makes sure I use plenty of
sauce and bake for 1and half hours on 350 covered. Never had a
hard noodle.

 

[Tinkerdreams]

I have always used regular noodles. I makes sure I use plenty of
sauce and bake for 1and half hours on 350 covered. Never had a
hard noodle.

Exactly. Why use some "special" noodle. Regular noodles work just fine. Never had any issues with them.

 

[klacey1]

Exactly. Why use some "special" noodle. Regular noodles work just fine. Never had any issues with them.

Thanks for the advice everyone! I guess maybe I'll let it sit 15ish minutes and definitely will use lots of sauce.
I wasn't going out of my way to use "special" noodles. Trader Joe's was the only grocery store I wanted to stop at, and they only had the no bake kind of lasagna.

 

[monkeyboy]

I have always used regular noodles. I makes sure I use plenty of
sauce and bake for 1and half hours on 350 covered. Never had a
hard noodle.

exactly