Description
This Best-Ever Lasagna Bolognese is a classic Italian comfort food featuring layers of rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, tender lasagna noodles, and melted mozzarella cheese. With a perfect balance of savory flavors and textures, this homemade lasagna makes an ideal hearty meal for family gatherings or special occasions. The recipe uses a stovetop to prepare the sauces and an oven to bake the assembled dish for a bubbly, golden finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Lasagna:
- 9 lasagna noodles (no-boil or traditional)
Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz canned San Marzano tomatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Béchamel Sauce:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp nutmeg (optional)
- Salt to taste
Topping:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the lasagna after assembly.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, heat a splash of olive oil and sauté the chopped onion until translucent. Add the minced garlic and ground beef. Cook until the beef is browned. Stir in the canned San Marzano tomatoes along with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Make the Béchamel Sauce: In a separate saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Whisk in the flour to form a roux, cooking it until it turns a golden brown color. Gradually add the whole milk while continuously stirring to prevent lumps and to thicken the sauce. Season with salt and nutmeg if using, and keep the sauce warm.
- Assemble the Lasagna: In a baking dish, start layering by spreading some of the meat sauce on the bottom. Follow with a layer of lasagna noodles, then cover with béchamel sauce. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of béchamel topped generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the Lasagna: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the lasagna to cool slightly for about 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can use either no-boil or traditional lasagna noodles. If using traditional noodles, boil them according to package instructions before assembling.
- For a richer flavor, use whole milk in the béchamel and 80% lean beef for the meat sauce.
- Nutmeg in the béchamel is optional but adds a lovely subtle warmth.
- Allowing the lasagna to rest before serving helps it set and makes slicing easier.
- Fresh basil or parsley can be used as a garnish for added color and flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
