An Italian Auntie Taught Me Her Secret to Leveling Up Lasagna

Lasagna is a labor of love. It seems like every nonna has a secret to their lasagna — one that no one would ever know unless they stood beside her in the kitchen and watched her every move. Even then, you might never understand why her recipe for lasagna tastes better when she makes it. But there is more to the layers of a good lasagna than the pattern of assembly. In every lasagna, thought is given to seasoning every layer of the sauce, ricotta mixture, or béchamel. There is one layer I had never considered seasoning: the shredded cheese on top. 

When I was a private chef, one of my client’s Italian “aunties” wanted to make her lasagna for her family. She made a traditional layered lasagna with Bolognese, but after spreading the last layer of ricotta and shredded cheese on top, she sprinkled it with garlic powder, then covered it and put it in the oven. I thought this was wild. What if it burns? But it didn’t. Instead, it created a garlic-bread-like flavor that made me want to peel off the top layer and scarf it down before anyone else could enjoy it. Since then, I have modified it by adding kosher salt to the sprinkle to boost the flavor, and I have never looked back.

When garlic powder and salt are melted into the cheese, they add a mild pungency and subtle sweetness that infuses the melted cheese evenly. The result is a flavorful mixture reminiscent of cheesy garlic bread or a garlic-infused cheese dip. This combination offers a comforting, indulgent taste that’s perfect for cheesy baked casseroles or a bold twist on baked mac and cheese. 

• Avoid the broiler. This tip works best with baked lasagna recipes — not those that are broiled. Broiling can burn the small particles of the garlic powder and make the topping bitter. 
• No need to adjust the recipe. Once you have sprinkled on the final layer of shredded cheese, lightly sprinkle on garlic powder and kosher salt. Bake the lasagna according to the directions and serve. 
• You can use garlic salt. If you have garlic salt, you can use it as a substitute for the combination of garlic powder and salt. But sprinkle cautiously, as garlic salt can be very salty.