Clever hack to replace lasagna noodles with a common ingredient

Don't have lasagna noodles? Learn this chef's secret to substitute them with a common ingredient you probably already have in your pantry. A brilliant tip that will save you at your next Italian meal!

Julie Duboué, an inventive chef

Renowned chef Julie Duboué has a new proposal to tantalize your taste buds. Known for her delicious recipes shared on Instagram, she enjoys pushing the boundaries of culinary creativity.

Here she offers an original alternative when you’re out of lasagna sheets but craving this traditional dish: “spaghetti al forno”, lasagna reimagined with spaghetti sauce.

A reinvented lasagna recipe

To serve 3 to 4 people, you will need the following ingredients:

300 to 350g of uncooked spaghetti400g of ground beef1 sliced onion2 chopped garlic cloves500ml of smooth tomato sauce1 tablespoon of olive oilSalt, pepper to taste50cl of bechamel150g of grated cheese (mozzarella, emmental or a mix of both)

Easy preparation

The recipe starts with preparing the meat. Heat olive oil in a pan, add chopped onion and garlic, then the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper, and let it brown. Pour in the tomato sauce and let it simmer on low heat.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C. Once the sauce is ready, pour a layer at the bottom of a gratin dish, place the uncooked spaghetti directly on the sauce, then cover with sauce, bechamel, and cheese.

A delight to share

Repeat the process to create at least two layers. Finish with a layer of bechamel and generously sprinkle with grated cheese. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the top is nicely browned. Your reinvented lasagna can be served with a crisp salad.

Don’t forget: with flour and eggs, you can also make your own lasagna sheets. It’s a fun activity to do with kids, and an economical way to enjoy a delicious meal.