Homemade lasagne recipe

Homemade lasagne is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in. Here’s a traditional recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

For the meat sauce:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (you can also use a combination of beef and pork)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz/400g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (6 oz/170g) tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for cooking

For the cheese sauce (béchamel):

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (475ml) milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• 1 cup (about 100g) grated Parmesan cheese

Other:

• Lasagne noodles (enough to make 3-4 layers in your baking dish)
• 2 cups (about 200g) shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Prepare the meat sauce:

1. Heat a bit of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens. Adjust seasoning if needed.

2. Prepare the cheese sauce (béchamel):

1. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
3. Gradually add the milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
4. Cook the sauce until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg if using. Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted.

3. Assemble the lasagne:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch (23x33cm) baking dish.
3. Place a layer of lasagne noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping them.
4. Spread about a third of the remaining meat sauce over the noodles, followed by a third of the cheese sauce. Sprinkle some mozzarella cheese on top.
5. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used up, finishing with a layer of cheese sauce and mozzarella cheese on top.

4. Bake:

1. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes.
2. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the lasagne is bubbly and golden brown on top.
3. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your homemade lasagne! Feel free to customize it with your favorite ingredients like mushrooms, spinach, or different types of cheese.