The Best Homemade Lasagna
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Description:
Homemade lasagna is a classic Italian dish loved by many. It's a layered pasta dish filled with rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel sauce, and plenty of cheese. Here's a recipe for the best homemade lasagna:
Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
- 1 (14-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Method:
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet or saucepan, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they are soft and fragrant.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Add sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Simmer the sauce for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Béchamel Sauce:
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for about 2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually add the milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, usually about 5-7 minutes.
- Season the béchamel sauce with ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Remove it from the heat.
- Cook the Lasagna Noodles:
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Drain and set them aside.
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Place a layer of cooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
- Spread 1/3 of the remaining meat sauce over the noodles, followed by 1/3 of the béchamel sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the sauces.
- Repeat the layering process two more times, finishing with a final layer of noodles, meat sauce, and béchamel sauce. Sprinkle extra cheese on top.
- Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
- Serve:
- Allow the lasagna to rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy your delicious homemade lasagna.