Lasagne with Meat and Sauce is a classic Italian dish that's hearty, comforting, and perfect for feeding a crowd. It features layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel or cheese sauce, and melted cheese. Here’s a traditional recipe for a delicious meat lasagne:
Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef
- 500 g (1 lb) ground pork (optional, or use more beef)
- 1 can (400 g or 14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine (optional, can replace with beef broth)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Béchamel Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For Assembly:
- 12-15 lasagne noodles (preferably no-boil or pre-cooked)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the ground beef and ground pork (if using) to the pan and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine (or beef broth), oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavorful.
2. Prepare the Béchamel Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for about 2 minutes to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Season with salt and nutmeg (if using).
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
3. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
4. Assemble the Lasagne:
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Place a layer of lasagne noodles on top of the meat sauce.
- Spread a portion of the béchamel sauce over the noodles.
- Add a layer of meat sauce over the béchamel.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layering process (noodles, béchamel, meat sauce, mozzarella) until you have used up all the ingredients, finishing with a layer of béchamel sauce and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top.
5. Bake the Lasagne:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let the lasagne cool for about 10 minutes before slicing.
6. Serve:
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
- Serve with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.
Optional Additions:
- Vegetables: Add layers of sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Cheese: Experiment with other cheeses like ricotta or provolone in the layers.
This lasagne with meat and sauce is a comforting classic that's sure to please everyone at the table. Enjoy!
