The Citrus Ingredient That Will Improve Your Next Lasagna

When you think of Italian food, you likely start drooling right off the bat — especially if you picture the layered deliciousness that is a lasagna. It's an Italian classic that always brings comfort, but there's a way to liven this near-perfect dish up even more. Instantly add some zing to the sauce or béchamel and make your next lasagna taste brighter than ever before by grating in some lemon zest. While lemon juice could work in very small amounts, the focus should be on the zest, which is the yellow outer layer of the peel that's loaded with aromatic oils and a slight earthiness. 

It might seem a tad out of place to add something zesty to a savory dish like lasagna, but mixing it directly into the rich sauce and creamy béchamel makes you feel like you were transported straight to the Italian coast. Similar to adding a citrusy zest to upgrade plain grilled cheese, the incorporation of lemon brings a brightness and a subtle tang that cuts through the bolder flavors of the tomato sauce, cheese, and meat. 

It would also create a subtle yet perfect pairing with a fruity limoncello spritz cocktail. But keep in mind that you should only use a small amount of the lemon peel. Half the lemon will work, but even that might be too much for an entire lasagna. To best use the lemon zest, avoid grating it too far down so you don't risk reaching the white pith underneath the surface. The best tools to use for this are either a fine grater, or a microplane grater.

Lemon is a great starting point if you want to change up your lasagna. But you can also try other citrus ingredients like lime or orange zest too. If you choose lime, it will deliver a slightly sharper, refreshing, and more intense flavor to the lasagna than lemon, which is oftentimes used in Mexican lasagna and other Southwestern casseroles. Simply mix together layers of ground beef, black beans, corn, and a creamy, lime-zest-infused cheese sauce.

On the flip side, if you choose to use orange zest it's on the sweeter side and provides a more floral undertone. It's crucial to pair it with warmer spices like cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, or cloves to create a nice mixture of depth and sweetness. The blend of orange zest with ricotta cheese, basil, and a rich tomato sauce will result in a delicious, refreshing lasagna that won't leave you feeling overly full either. When you mix the orange zest directly into the ricotta, it  winningly balances sweetness with the rich, creamy tones of the cheese. 

And, if you really fancy adding some orange flavor to your lasagna, you could even try adding a small splash of orange liqueur like Cointreau for a sharper, more bittersweet taste, which would naturally also pair nicely with an orange liqueur lemon drop martini.