Description
A rich and hearty lasagna made with layers of tender pasta, savory beef and pork ragù, creamy béchamel sauce, and plenty of melted mozzarella and Parmesan. The ultimate comfort food for family dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce (Ragù):
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1 lb ground beef
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1 lb ground pork
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1 medium onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
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1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
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1 cup red wine (optional)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 tsp dried oregano
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1 tsp dried basil
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Salt and pepper to taste
For the Béchamel Sauce:
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4 tbsp butter
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4 tbsp all-purpose flour
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3 cups whole milk
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1/4 tsp nutmeg
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Salt and pepper to taste
For the Lasagna:
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12 lasagna noodles (either no-boil or cooked according to package instructions)
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2 cups ricotta cheese
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2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
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Prepare the Meat Sauce (Ragù):
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In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
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Add the ground beef and pork. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and cooked through.
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Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine (if using), oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.
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Make the Béchamel Sauce:
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In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly for about 2 minutes to form a roux.
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Gradually add the milk while continuing to whisk to prevent lumps. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
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Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper, then remove from heat.
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Assemble the Lasagna:
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Layer 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
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Add a third of the meat sauce, followed by a third of the béchamel sauce, and sprinkle with a third of the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses.
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Repeat the layers two more times, finishing with a top layer of sauce and cheese.
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Bake:
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Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
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Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
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Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
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Notes
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For a vegetarian version, swap the meat sauce for a vegetable or mushroom ragù.
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Lasagna can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
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If you don’t have ricotta, cottage cheese can be used as a substitute.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 880
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 30mg