Lasagna Recipe
Introduction
Lasagna is a hearty and comforting dish, layered with rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and melted cheese. This recipe brings together classic Italian flavors, perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage, casing removed
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Béchamel Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk, warmed
- A pinch of nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Assembling:
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Make the Béchamel Sauce:
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Gradually whisk in the warmed milk, continuing to stir until the sauce thickens.
- Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the Lasagna Noodles:
- Boil the lasagna noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain and lay them out on a sheet of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer with 3 lasagna noodles, followed by more meat sauce, a layer of béchamel, a few dollops of ricotta, and a sprinkle of Parmesan and mozzarella.
- Repeat the layers until all the ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of mozzarella on top.
- Bake the Lasagna:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.
Tips
- For extra flavor, you can add a splash of red wine to the meat sauce while it’s simmering.
- To save time, you can prepare the meat sauce a day in advance and store it in the fridge.
Enjoy your delicious homemade lasagna, perfect with a side salad and some garlic bread!