Ingredients
Lasagne
- 12 lasagne sheets
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (about 14 oz)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Béchamel Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the lasagne later.
- Cook the meat sauce: In a large pan over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add aromatics and simmer: Stir in minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper into the cooked meat. Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Prepare béchamel sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually add milk while whisking continuously until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Create layers in baking dish: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom of a baking dish. Lay down a layer of lasagne sheets over the sauce, followed by a layer of béchamel sauce and a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat layering: Continue layering meat sauce, lasagne sheets, béchamel, and mozzarella, finishing with a top layer of mozzarella cheese to ensure a golden crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the assembled lasagne in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
- Rest before serving: Remove the lasagne from the oven and allow it to rest for about 10 minutes. This resting time helps the layers to set and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- For extra flavor, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top before baking.
- Allowing the lasagne to rest after baking aids in clean and neater slicing.
- You can prepare the meat sauce a day ahead and refrigerate for convenience.
- If you prefer, substitute béchamel with ricotta or cottage cheese for a different texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
