Lasagna
Lasagna is a classic Italian dish made with layers of pasta sheets, meat sauce, creamy béchamel sauce, and cheese. It’s a comforting and hearty meal that’s perfect for family gatherings and special occasions. Here’s a traditional recipe for making delicious homemade lasagna.
Ingredients:
For the meat sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef (you can also use a mixture of beef and pork)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance the acidity of the tomatoes)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the béchamel sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other ingredients:
- 12 lasagna noodles (pre-cooked according to package instructions)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Prepare the meat sauce:
- In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until it’s browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, sugar (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the béchamel sauce:
- In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk constantly for about 1-2 minutes until it forms a smooth paste (roux).
- Gradually add the milk to the roux, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Add a pinch of ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the sauce. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Assemble the lasagna:
- In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the dish.
- Place three lasagna noodles side by side over the meat sauce layer.
- Spoon a layer of the meat sauce over the noodles, followed by a layer of béchamel sauce, and a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat the layers, starting with three more lasagna noodles, until all the ingredients are used up. The top layer should be béchamel sauce and a generous amount of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake the lasagna in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes.
- After the initial baking time, remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
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Slice and serve your homemade lasagna with a side salad and some garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal. Enjoy the delicious layers of flavors!
