I know, I know, it seems like a daunting task to make a lasagne from scratch with children, but take the leap and I promise it will be surprisingly easy and you will have a delicious dinner all while your children have fun and learn! Too many positives not to give it a chance, no? Time to make our Easy Homemade Lasagne.
Cooking with kids is such an enriching experience. I hope you will join us! As always I am one comment away from helping you! If you have a question please comment below. I love interacting with readers!
- 1 package no boil lasagne noodles (if you can't find these you can use regular lasagne noodles. Cook according to directions on box)
- 2 jars favorite marinara sauce (or meat sauce)
- 4 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese (plus ½ cup for top of lasagne)
- 1 egg
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup chopped spinach (optional)
- COOKING TOOLS
- large lasagne pan (look for pan that is about 9 x 11 with 4 inch high sides)
- measuring cup- 1 cup
- large bowl
- large spoon
- tinfoil
- Preheat oven 375 degrees F.
- In a bowl mix together the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, egg and spinach (optional).
- Pour ½ cup marinara sauce into pan. With a spoon spread over bottom of pan.
- Next you are going to create a noodle, ricotta mixture, sauce pattern.
- Place a layer of noodles on top of sauce. (If you are using no boil noodles you will be using them straight out of the box. They will soften as they bake in the oven).
- Spread approximately ⅓ of the ricotta mixture on top of the noodles.
- Then spread about ½ cup of sauce on top of ricotta mixture.
- Repeat the noodle -ricotta cheese- marinara sauce pattern three times.
- Next generously sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top.
- Sprinkle enough to cover the up most of the sauce.
- Sprinkle approximately ½ cup parmesan cheese on top.
- Cover with tinfoil and bake for 50 minutes at 375 degrees F.
- Take off tinfoil and bake for additional 10 minutes until cheese gets bubbly and starts to brown.
- Let cool for 15 minutes before cutting square pieces (Hint: cut pieces with a knife and then take each piece out with a large spoon or spatula.
AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT ENHANCED BY MAKING EASY HOMEMADE LASAGNE
language development
gross motor development
fine motor development
addition
patterns
scientific exploration
exploration of senses (sight, touch, taste, smell)
nutritional knowledge
healthy perception of food
TIME TO MAKE EASY HOMEMADE LASAGNE!
Prior to inviting your children to cook make sure you have all the ingredients and cooking tools. Place them neatly on a table. If you are cooking in a classroom setting I recommend working with no more than 4-6 children.
Begin by introducing the recipe you are going to make. “Today we are making lasagne. Has anyone ever tasted lasagne before?” Explore each ingredient you are going to use. This is a fantastic way to promote language development. If you want to aid early reading skills label each of the ingredients. A print rich environment is a necessary component of language development.
Next read the recipe instructions step by step stopping each time to complete the instructions with the children. This print out contains simple child friendly instructions. This is a great way to promote early reading and writing skills.
Preheat oven 375 degrees F.
In a bowl mix together the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, egg and spinach (optional).
Pour 1/2 cup marinara sauce into pan. With a spoon spread over bottom of pan.
Next you are going to create a noodle, ricotta mixture, sauce pattern. I love that making a lasagne contains a real life application of pattern making! Place a layer of noodles on top of sauce. (If you are using no boil noodles you will be using them straight out of the box. They will soften as they bake in the oven). Spread approximately 1/3 of the ricotta mixture on top of the noodles.
Then spread about 1/2 cup of sauce on top of ricotta mixture.
Repeat the noodle -ricotta cheese- marinara sauce pattern three times.
Next generously sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top. Sprinkle enough to cover the up most of the sauce.
Sprinkle approximately 1/2 cup parmesan cheese on top.
Cover with tinfoil and bake for 50 minutes at 375 degrees F. Take off tinfoil and bake for additional 10 minutes until cheese gets bubbly and starts to brown. Let cool for 15 minutes before cutting square pieces (Hint: cut pieces with a knife and then take each piece out with a large spoon or spatula.
Check out more of the Homegrown Friends Recipes!
