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Lasagna

Featured in Quick Lunch Recipes.

Finally tried making real Italian lasagna yesterday. Took most of the afternoon but wow, worth every minute. The slow-cooked ragu gets so rich and that bechamel makes it super creamy without being heavy. No ricotta in sight - this is the real deal. Used fresh pasta and it makes a difference. Let it rest before cutting for perfect slices. Everyone said it was better than restaurant lasagna. Great Sunday project when you want to cook something special.
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Mina cooking in her kitchen
Updated on Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:08:00 GMT
A creamy lasagna with layers of meat sauce, cheese, and a garnish of parsley sits in a white dish. Pin it
A creamy lasagna with layers of meat sauce, cheese, and a garnish of parsley sits in a white dish. | lastminrecipes.com

My traditional lasagna brings Italian comfort home. Rich meat sauce creamy white sauce layered pasta create perfect family meal worth every minute.

True Italian

Slow cooked ragu silky bechamel no ricotta needed. Deep flavors perfect layers make special dish.

What You Need

  • Ragu: Beef veggies wine herbs rich base.
  • White Sauce: Butter flour milk cheese smooth.
  • Layers: Fresh dried pasta sheets top cheese.

Simple Steps

Meat Sauce
Cook veggies meat add wine tomatoes simmer slow.
White Sauce
Melt butter flour milk stir cheese smooth.
Build
Layer meat pasta white sauce repeat top cheese.
Bake
375°F golden bubbly thirty minutes done.
A baked lasagna topped with melted cheese and sprinkled with herbs, surrounded by ingredients like diced carrots, parmesan cheese, sour cream, and a bundle of basil on a wooden surface. Pin it
A baked lasagna topped with melted cheese and sprinkled with herbs, surrounded by ingredients like diced carrots, parmesan cheese, sour cream, and a bundle of basil on a wooden surface. | lastminrecipes.com

Layer Right

Start thin meat sauce base stops sliding. Even layers pasta sauce cheese perfect crust.

Time Magic

Slow cooking makes sauce deep rich tender. Patience brings authentic Italian taste home.

Keep Fresh

Store fridge three days freezer portions longer. Warm oven until hot through ready serve.

Perfect Pairs

Serve green salad garlic bread red wine side. Light dessert tiramisu makes meal complete.

Make It Yours

Try turkey pork meat roasted veggies instead. Gluten free pasta works special diets too.

Pro Tips

Cover pasta sheets sauce keeps moist baking. Fresh grated cheese melts best rest ten minutes serving.

Special Meal

Perfect holidays family dinners celebrations. Rich layers make impressive center table.

Much Loved

Readers favorite cookbook authentic taste. Brings joy every gathering table.

Pure Joy

More than meal fills kitchen wonderful smells. Every cheesy bite brings Italian comfort home.

A close-up of a baked lasagna topped with melted cheese and garnished with parsley. Pin it
A close-up of a baked lasagna topped with melted cheese and garnished with parsley. | lastminrecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How is this different from American lasagna?

This traditional Italian version uses bechamel sauce instead of ricotta cheese, and features a slow-cooked meat ragu rather than a simpler meat sauce.

→ Can I make this ahead?

Yes, you can assemble and freeze for up to 3 months, or refrigerate for 3 days. You can also assemble and bake within 24 hours.

→ Why use fresh pasta sheets?

Fresh pasta sheets meld better with the filling and don't buckle like dried sheets can. They create a smoother, more uniform lasagna.

→ How important is the ragu consistency?

The ragu should be thick but not dry. If using dried pasta sheets, ensure enough liquid to hydrate the pasta during baking.

→ Can I use pre-shredded cheese?

Fresh-shredded cheese is recommended as pre-shredded contains anti-caking agents that can make sauces grainy and affect melting.

Lasagna

Traditional Italian-style lasagna made with rich meat ragu and bechamel sauce, layered with pasta and cheese for the perfect comfort food.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
240 Minutes
Total Time
260 Minutes
By: Mina

Category: Lunch Ideas

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 10 Servings (1 large lasagna)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 tablespoon olive oil.
02 1 onion, finely chopped.
03 1 medium carrot, finely diced.
04 1 celery stick, finely diced.
05 2 garlic cloves, minced.
06 1kg ground beef.
07 800g crushed tomatoes.
08 ¼ cup tomato paste.
09 1 cup pinot noir or dry red wine.
10 3 beef bouillon cubes.
11 2 bay leaves.
12 ½ teaspoon each dried thyme and oregano.
13 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce.
14 1-2 teaspoons sugar (if needed).
15 60g butter.
16 ½ cup flour.
17 4 cups milk.
18 2 cups gruyere or colby cheese, freshly grated.
19 Nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste.
20 350g fresh lasagna sheets.
21 1½ cups mozzarella cheese, freshly grated.

Instructions

Step 01

Cook onion, carrot, celery, garlic in oil until soft. Add beef and brown.

Step 02

Add remaining ragu ingredients except sugar. Simmer covered 1.5-2 hours, then uncovered 30 minutes until meat is tender.

Step 03

Make roux with butter and flour. Gradually add warm milk, stir until thick. Add cheese and seasonings.

Step 04

Layer pasta, ragu, and bechamel three times. Top with final pasta layer and remaining bechamel.

Step 05

Top with mozzarella. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes until golden. Rest 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  1. Ragu should be thick but saucy.
  2. Shred cheese fresh for best results.
  3. Can be made ahead and frozen.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large heavy-based pot.
  • Large saucepan.
  • 13x9 inch baking dish.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (cheese, milk).
  • Wheat (pasta, flour).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 594
  • Total Fat: 29 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 40 g
  • Protein: 39 g