This mason jar lasagna is not a food storage or canning recipe. It uses mason jars for meal prep convenience, NOT long term storage. This is like my mason jar salad recipe, something easy to make ahead of time that you can eat in a hurry or at work.
Secondly, this is not a recipe. It is a technique. Neither this article, nor the attached video will show you how to make lasagna. If your ready to start experimenting with cooking in jars and such you should already have a favorite lasagna recipe. (if not here is a simple lasagna recipe from simply recipes.)
Like all lasagna recipes, start assembling by pouring a spoonful or two of sauce on the bottom of your jar to prevent the pasta noodles from burning and sticking.
Then use a ring from one of your jars to but 4 circles of noodle per jar of lasagna.
Assemble your lasagna recipe from the bottom up. Sauce, noodle circle, mix, cheese, noodle…. You get the point.
Make sure to leave some space between the top of your pasta and the rim of the jar. The lasagna will bubble and you don’t want any food to reach the lid while it is baking.
Safety
Even though this mason jar lasagna is not a canning recipe, follow all canning safety precautions.
Ensure all your jars, rings, and lids are clean and sterile before you start.
Whip the rims clean of food after assembling your pasta.
Tighten ring firmly on the jar and then back off just a bit to allow expansion.
Once you have finished, bake the jars at 350 °F for 35-45 minutes depending on size of jars and your preference.
To eat, simply remove the metal ring and lid and microwave for a minute or two.
Switch to Safety Windows
If your windows are more than a few decades old, then you might want to install safety glass. That type of glass is strengthened by bringing it up to a very high temperature for a short period of time, and it is specifically designed to withstand multiple impacts. As an added bonus, safety glass could also improve your home’s insulation, and that will reduce your energy bills in the coming years.
Reinforce Your Doors
Many homeowners are surprised to hear that reinforcing a door is a simple project that usually only takes a few minutes to complete. The easiest way to reinforce your doors is to add heavy-duty deadbolts, but you might also want to install strike plates. A strike plate is nothing more than a metal receiver that is embedded in a doorway, and it will make a door very difficult to kick down. You should also re-key all of the locks if you have recently purchased your home.
Adopt a Dog
Most criminals won’t even think about breaking into a home if there is a dog inside. Even if your dog is relatively friendly, burglars don’t want to deal with barking or other loud noises. After you have adopted your dog, you should spend some time training it so that it knows exactly what to do if a stranger is inside the home. At the very least, your dog needs to be able to respond to all verbal commands in dangerous situations.
Install an Alarm System
When it comes to home security, very few upgrades are as effective as an alarm system. Modern alarm systems are incredibly easy to install, and you could have your sensors and cameras up and running in a matter of hours. Once your alarm system is installed, you should consider updating your homeowner’s insurance policy. Your provider might lower your monthly premiums if you have a high-quality alarm system.
Along with these few tips for deterring burglars, you should also be friendly with your neighbors if you want your home to be as secure as possible. Your neighbors will be able to look after your home whenever you aren’t there, and they can give you a call or contact the police whenever they notice any suspicious individuals.
So, you’ll need some effective tips if you want to make your home a bug free zone. We have gathered some for you:
Keeping your eyes open
Sure, if we ever face the apocalypse, cockroaches are the living creatures most likely to survive it. But the supposed otherworldly abilities of the creepy crawlies aside, they don’t just materialize into your home out of the ether.
Thus, staying sharp can clue you into the indications that they are about to set foot inside. For instance, ants will send out scouting members to scope your home. They are there to test how ant-friendly your house is. Therefore, as soon as you spot even a few ants, get to insect-proofing.
Moreover, you can also step outside and go right to the source. If there is firewood stacked next to your house, it could be where the ants and termites are staying temporarily. Keep the stack at least 20 feet from your house. Similarly, drain any catch basins or keep the water in them fresh if there are any in your yard. They are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Moreover, chop them off! Not that we want to scare you, however, you’ll want to know what the Entomological Society of America says about bugs. The ratio stands at a billion bugs to every human on the planet! A veritable insect army is waiting to declare war on your home! Overhanging branches close to your windows or overgrown shrubs can be the access points bugs will use to get into your home.
Repel houseflies and mosquitoes with Basil
Basil makes pasta sauces shine, but it is also a great natural remedy for insects like houseflies and mosquitoes. Since the plant is easy to grow and container-friendly, place a few of them in your kitchen. For families who don’t eat in the kitchen, you’ll want to get those containers into your entertaining spaces too.
You’ll also benefit from a basil-based insect repellent spray. Boil water (4 ounces) and throw in the same amount of fresh basil leaves. Let the basil leaves steep in the water for a few hours before straining them. Splash in as much of supercheap vodka, and you’ll have your spray. You can even store the spray in the fridge.
Essential oils may do the trick
Essential oils aren’t just great for helping you relax. They can also be used to make a bug free home.
You’ll find the following essential oils useful for this purpose:
- Neem oil has natural pesticide properties. That’s why it makes a useful non-toxic bug repellent. Mix it with coconut oil (carrier oil) and apply it on your skin. It will keep biting insects like mosquitoes away!
- The strong scent of peppermint oil is effective against many different types of bugs. Moreover, it is excellent for both the creepy crawly and flying varieties. For the former, adding a few drops on a cotton ball will be good enough. Place peppermint-scented balls wherever you will find spiders, ticks, and ants congregating. For the latter, you will need a spray. Just 4-5 drops of peppermint oil added to a quarter cup of water, and you have your mixture. Spritz it near entry points.
Seal the entry points into your home
Do you realize that the common cockroach increases the chances of asthma attacks and allergies in children? Leaving gaps in your entrance ways can give the pesky bugs a chance to get in. Don’t think there are many such spaces around your home? Look closely, and you’ll be unpleasantly surprised!
Start by sealing the space under all the doors leading to the outside. An aluminum or steel threshold can keep the insects from crawling under your door. To fortify, you can also purchase a cheap door sweep. Most hardware stores have door sweeps. But be sure to get nylon ones instead of vinyl or neoprene for maximum bug protection.
After the base is taken care of, you can shift to sealing the door frame’s perimeter. Insects can crawl in along the sides or the top without this protection. Do it with clear caulk. Follow the frame in the direction that the door meets the wall.
Finally, get the most use of your door sealing techniques by remembering to keep the door closed! Kids can be forgetful, and the door sweep won’t be effective if the door stays open all the time.
A hydraulic device known as the door closer can be really handy. Adjust the power and the closing speed on it when you install it. If someone leaves it ajar, the door will automatically close and latch because of the door closer. You can get a door closer at your local home improvement store. It is also easy to install, so you can do it yourself too.
Monthly deep cleaning is a must
Places like the kitchen see a lot of use and traffic. We cook there and often consume food in the kitchen too. Therefore, keeping it clean can be hard.
Moreover, if you work most days, you may not be able to do deep cleaning often. But you should have one done every month to clear away any accumulating food particles, etc. That is also true for other parts of the house. Any room where food makes a regular appearance needs regular deep cleaning. Also, grab a Bug Killer or any insect repellent spray for a cleaner, bug-free home!
Remove overripe fruits and veggies from the counter
Fruit flies, ants, and other bugs are attracted to overripe fruits and vegetables, especially if the organic treats are left sliced open or cut up. Keep them off the counter and move them to the fridge. Sure, fruit flies may not be as harmful, but pests like cockroaches may find their way to ripe fruits too. Once they get in, you’ll find it difficult to get them out of your home!
Parting thoughts
Bugs are creatures who cannot be allowed in your personal space for any reason. Want to make your home bug free? Our suggestions will help you do just that. Do you have other effective remedies? Share them with us!
