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Bolognese Lasagna

A warm and hearty classic Italian dish with layers of rich Bolognese sauce, creamy béchamel, and gooey cheese, perfect for family meals.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Bolognese Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, grated
  • 2 sticks celery, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For the Béchamel Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
For Assembling
  • 9-12 pieces lasagna noodles
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Method
 

Cooking the Bolognese Sauce
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing until they're tender (around 5 minutes).
  3. Add the garlic and continue to cook for an additional minute.
  4. Stir in the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it up as you go.
  5. Once browned, add in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Making the Béchamel Sauce
  1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  2. Whisk in the flour until the mixture is bubbly and golden, about 1 minute.
  3. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
  4. After a few minutes, the sauce will thicken. Season with nutmeg and salt.
Assembling Your Lasagna
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a greased baking dish, lay down some of the Bolognese sauce.
  3. Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top, then add a layer of béchamel, another layer of Bolognese, and a sprinkle of mozzarella.
  4. Repeat until all ingredients are used, finishing with béchamel and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top.
Baking to Perfection
  1. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
  3. Let it cool before serving.

Notes

Noodle Hack: Use no-boil lasagna noodles to save time. Assemble the lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate until baking. Don't worry about a rustic sauce; it's part of the charm!