Here’s a classic, hearty lasagna recipe—rich meat sauce, creamy layers, and perfectly baked cheese 🧀
🍝 Classic Lasagna
🛒 Ingredients
For the meat sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 3–4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 500g ground beef (or beef + lamb mix)
- 800g canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt & black pepper to taste
For the white (béchamel) sauce:
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp flour
- 3 cups milk
- Salt & pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Other:
- 9–12 lasagna sheets
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the meat sauce
- Heat oil, sauté onion until soft.
- Add garlic → cook 1 min.
- Add ground beef → cook until browned.
- Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, herbs, salt, pepper.
- Simmer 20–30 minutes until thick.
2. Make béchamel sauce
- Melt butter, whisk in flour (1–2 mins).
- Gradually add milk, whisking constantly.
- Cook until smooth and thick.
- Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg.
3. Assemble
In a baking dish:
- Thin layer of meat sauce
- Lasagna sheets
- Meat sauce
- Béchamel
- Cheese
Repeat layers (usually 3 layers total). Finish with béchamel + cheese on top.
4. Bake
- Cover with foil, bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25 minutes
- Remove foil, bake another 15–20 minutes until golden
5. Rest
- Let it sit 10–15 minutes before slicing (important!)
🔥 Tips for the best lasagna
- Use a mix of cheeses for deeper flavor
- Let the sauce simmer longer for richness
- Slightly undercook pasta if boiling first
- Resting helps it hold shape when cut
If you want, I can give you:
- A quick 30-minute lasagna
- A chicken or vegetarian version
- Or a restaurant-style super creamy version 😄
