Q1: What is the absolute, number one secret to a lasagna that is not watery?

The secret is to make sure your fillings are not too wet. If you are using fresh spinach, it is crucial to cook it first and squeeze out as much of the excess water as you possibly can . If you are using ricotta cheese, for an even richer, less watery result, you can drain your whole milk ricotta in a fine-mesh sieve for a few hours before you use it to remove the watery whey.

Q2: How do I make the mozzarella ghosts easily?

The easiest and most foolproof method is to use a small, ghost-shaped cookie cutter and some slices of a low-moisture mozzarella cheese from the deli counter. If you don't have a cookie cutter, you can easily use a small, sharp paring knife to free-hand a classic, wavy ghost shape.

Q3: Can I make this Halloween lasagna ahead of time for a party?

Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead dish! You can fully assemble the entire unbaked lasagna, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days . When your party starts, you can simply pop it in the oven to bake.

Q4: Can I freeze this lasagna?

Yes, this is a fantastic freezer meal! For the best result, it is a great idea to assemble the lasagna completely, but do not bake it . You can then wrap the entire dish very well in a double layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. When you are ready to eat, you can bake it directly from frozen, just be sure to cover it with foil for the first hour and then uncover it, and add about 45-60 extra minutes to the total baking time.

Q5: What is the best way to reheat leftover lasagna?

The best way to reheat lasagna and keep it from drying out is to place an individual slice on a microwave-safe plate, sprinkle it with about a tablespoon of water, and then cover it loosely before you microwave it until it is hot. You can also reheat it in an oven-safe dish, covered with foil, in a 350°F oven.

'Ghostly' Lasagna (The Perfect Halloween Dinner!)

‘Ghostly’ Lasagna (The Perfect Halloween Dinner!)

A classic chicken and spinach lasagna with a fun and spooky ‘ghostly’ Halloween twist. This family-friendly casserole features layers of cooked lasagna noodles, a creamy ricotta and spinach mixture, savory shredded chicken, and marinara sauce. The top of the lasagna is creatively decorated with slices of mozzarella cheese cut into ghost shapes, using small pieces of black olive for the eyes. The entire dish is then baked until it is golden brown and bubbly.

Author: Grace

Ingredients

12 lasagna noodles
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
2 cups spinach, chopped
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
A few black olives
3 cups marinara sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the lasagna noodles in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions. Drain and set them aside.
In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, salt, and pepper.
Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Arrange a single layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce.
Spread a layer of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by a layer of the shredded chicken.
Repeat the layers of sauce, noodles, ricotta, and chicken, ending with a final layer of noodles topped with the remaining marinara sauce.
Sprinkle the top with the grated Parmesan cheese. Cut the mozzarella slices into ghost shapes and arrange them on top of the sauce. Use small pieces of black olive to create ‘eyes’ for the ghosts.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden and the sauce is bubbly.
Let the lasagna rest for a few minutes before serving hot.

Notes

This is a creative and kid-friendly way to serve a classic comfort food for a Halloween dinner.
Using pre-cooked chicken (such as from a rotisserie chicken) and jarred marinara sauce are convenient time-saving shortcuts.
You can use a small ghost-shaped cookie cutter or a paring knife to create the mozzarella cheese shapes.

Find it online: https://www.eatswithsoul.com/ghostly-lasagna/