How to Boil Lasagna Noodles: 9 Simple Steps

Ever wondered how to boil lasagna noodles? Lasagna noodles aren’t as simple to boil and make as other forms of pasta and noodles, and if you boil them wrong, you’ll likely ruin your whole dish. Fortunately, this guide will show you exactly how to boil lasagna noodles to give you the perfect cooked lasagna you can use for any recipe.

How to Boil Lasagna Noodles (Step-by-Step)

Follow this step-by-step guide to learn exactly how to boil lasagna noodles perfectly every time.

Step 1: Prepare

Find a pan or pot that is big enough to fit, or almost fit, your lasagna noodles lengthwise. Put the pan on the stove (without the lasagna noodles).

Step 2: Water

Next, pour 2.5 liters (8.5 cups) of water into the pan, and turn on the heat to medium-high to bring the water to a boil.

Step 3: Salt

When the water starts showing signs of boiling, add ½ tbsp of salt and stir gently to disperse.

Step 4: Oil

Add 2 ½ tbsp of oil (sunflower, olive oil, or vegetable are best, though any will work) to the water. The oil will sit on the surface of the water and prevent the water from boiling over, as well as help prevent the noodles from sticking to one another in and out of the pan.

Step 5: Cook the Noodles

Depending on the size of your pot or pan, take approximately 5 lasagna noodles and gently drop them into the boiling water. Boil the noodles for 3-4 minutes until al dente (firm but cooked).

Step 6: Prepare Your Plate

While the lasagna noodles are boiling, find a large plate and cover it with clingfilm so the noodles won’t stick to it and tear when you try to move them again. If you don’t have a large plate, a chopping board wrapped in clingfilm will also work. (If you don’t have clingfilm, a light covering of oil on the plate will work too.)

Step 7: Remove the Noodles

Remove the noodles from the water and lay them out on the plate, side by side. Try to prevent the lasagna noodles from overlapping. Use another plate if you must; it is better than piling the sheets up one on top of the other.

Step 8: Repeat as Necessary

Lastly, repeat this process until you have as many lasagna noodles as you need for your recipe. You can likely use the same water for two more batches of 5, but if the water looks murky, start from scratch for optimum results.

Step 9: Done!

You now have perfectly cooked lasagna noodles to use for your meal.

How to Boil Lasagna Noodles, FAQ

How long do lasagna noodles take to boil?

For normal, egg lasagna noodles, 3-4 minutes (as seen in the steps above) will be plenty of time. If you are using another type of lasagna noodle, see the table below:

Type of Lasagna Noodle	Optimum Boiling Time
Normal Egg Lasagna Noodles	3-4 minutes
Whole Wheat Lasagna Noodles	6-8 minutes
Lentil Lasagna Noodles	3-4 minutes
Gluten-Free Lasagna Noodles	4-6 minutes
Egg-Free Lasagna Noodles	3-4 minutes
Fresh Lasagna Noodles	1-2 minutes

My lasagna noodle package says, “Does not require pre-cooking.” What does that mean?

Some lasagna noodles don’t need to be boiled prior to use if you are going to use them in a traditional lasagna dish. If you have these noodles and want to have a bottom layer of noodles, it’s best to boil the very bottom layer, then use your filling, and then the sheets dry as specified on the box.

How many noodles do I need to make lasagna?

The best way to calculate how many noodles you’ll need to make lasagna is to get out the dish you will use for your lasagna and place dry noodles at the bottom to see how many you need to make a layer. Then calculate how many you need for the number of layers you plan to have.