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Lasagna Recipe: Classic Italian Comfort Food

A rich and comforting Italian classic, this lasagna features tender pasta layers, a robust beef-based meat sauce, silky béchamel, and melted mozzarella. Perfect for families or gatherings, it balances authentic depth and ease with a foolproof layering technique.
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Course: pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 420kcal
Author: Eva Stoner

Ingredients

  • 12 lasagna noodles
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely chopped
  • 3 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  • Cook lasagna noodles in salted boiling water 8-10 minutes until al dente; drain
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet, sauté onion, carrot, and celery 5 minutes until softened
  • Add ground beef, cook 10 minutes until browned and crumbled
  • Stir in garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, basil, oregano, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes
  • Simmer meat sauce 30 minutes, partially covered, stirring occasionally
  • Meanwhile, make béchamel: melt butter in a saucepan, add flour and cook 2 minutes to remove raw taste
  • Whisk in milk gradually, simmer 10-15 minutes until smooth and thickened
  • Season with nutmeg and salt
  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
  • Layer a baking dish with noodles, meat sauce, béchamel, and mozzarella
  • Repeat layers, finishing with top layer of noodles and béchamel
  • Let rest 15 minutes before serving

Notes

Use store-bought béchamel or mozzarella for time-saving
For vegetarian version, omit ground beef and add sautéed spinach or mushrooms
Noodles can be cooked ahead and assembled immediately before baking

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 1800mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g