Classic Lasagna

-


Skip to Recipe

There's really nothing like a big, over-the-top Christmas dinner where you have the whole family over gathered around the table and then dig into a hearty and wholesome meal. Say hello to the most festive meal you'll ever meet: Classic Lasagna.

Tender sheets of pasta are layered with a robust meaty tomato sauce (Bolognese sauce) and a creamy white sauce (Béchamel Sauce) , topped with cheese and baked until perfection to create a Lasagne that is an absolute showstopper. Equally stunning & delicious, this is the perfect dish to make for Christmas dinner that will leave your guests wanting for more.
The Secret to this Classic Lasagna

Patience is a virtue you'll need when making this dish, but I guarantee all of the effort you put into this dish is worth it. Here are the components that make this Lasagne extra special:
  • Homemade Bolognese Sauce: A classic Italian Lasagne is made up of a bolognese sauce, which is a meat- based sauce. This truly is the heart and soul of the recipe and takes most of the preparation time.
  • Homemade Béchamel Sauce: Unlike the American style version, that uses a ricotta layer for the Lasagne, this version uses a homemade bechamel sauce. Bechamel sauce (otherwise known as ‘white sauce’) is a roux made of butter, flour and milk. It adds a nice creamy layer to the lasagne and complements the robust Bolognese sauce.
Why You Must Try this Recipe
  • Make-ahead Friendly: While the recipe itself takes some time & it is a labour of love, you can make this ahead of time. Not only does it save your time, it allows all the flavors to meld that enhances the taste. Just assemble everything before time, cover up with an aluminium foil, store in the fridge for upto 24 hours before baking & bake off just before your holiday meal.
  • Perfect for Feeding a Crowd:You can't never go wrong with a classic lasagna if you are hosting a party or entertaining a crowd. It is always a crowd-pleaser!
  • Freezes Well and Reheats Beautifully: The leftover freezes well and reheats beautifully, making for an easy second meal without any extra effort. To reheat, simply unwrap the lasagna, cover with a slice of aluminium foil and place in the oven at 175 degrees Celsius for about 30 minutes, or until it is hot all the way through.
How to Avoid Soupy Sloppy Lasagna?

Three words: Let it rest! As tempting as it is to dig right in, if you cut the lasagna as soon as it comes out of the oven, it’ll be very messy! When allowed to cool for about 15 minutes, it’ll firm up and cut into clean pieces!
How To Serve Lasagna?

Lasagna is best served with a green salad that balances out and cuts through some of that richness.

You can also serve it with these for a delicious Italian feast: Easy Garlic Parmesan Knots , Caprese Skewers , Italian Tomato Basil Bruschetta and Italian Tomato Rosemary Focaccia

If you made this Classic Lasagna, I would love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a comment below.



Classic Lasagna Classic Lasagna
Author: Happily Cooking
Preparation Time:
Cooking time:
Yields: 10 people
Calories per serving: 645kcal




Ingredients:
    For the Bolognese Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large white onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium carrot , finely diced
  • 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 kg minced beef
  • 500 g crushed tomatoes
  • 2 Tbsp tomato puree
  • 2 bay Leaves
  • 2 cups/ 500 ml beef stock
  • 250 ml red wine
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black Pepper, to taste

    • For the Bechamel Sauce
  • 4 cups / 1 litre Milk, at room temperature
  • 5 Tbsp Plain Flour
  • 4 Tbsp Butter
  • Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup / 80g freshly grated Parmesan
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper,to taste

    • For the Lasagne
  • 250g dried lasagna sheets
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Finely chopped basil or parsley, for garnishing (optional)

Instructions:
  1. For the Bolognese Sauce, heat olive oil in a large heavy based pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, onion, and the carrots and continue frying until they soften and just begin to brown.
  2. Add the minced beef, cook the beef and break it up with a wooden spoon and continue to fry until fully browned.
  3. Once the beef has all turned brown, add the crushed tomatoes, the tomato puree and fry for a few minutes.
  4. Deglaze the pan with the wine, then add in the beef stock,the bay leaves, dried oregano, salt, sugar and black pepper.
  5. Bring to a simmer, then turn the heat to low, pop on a lid and allow to simmer for at least 1 hour 30 mins, stirring every now and then. Then remove the lid and simmer for 30 minutes.
  6. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper. The sauce is ready when the meat is really tender and the sauce has thickened.
  7. For the Bechamel sauce, melt the butter in a medium sized pot over medium heat. Add the flour and stir to create a roux.
  8. Gradually pour in the milk, stirring continually to ensure there are no lumps. Allow the sauce to simmer for around 7-10 mins till it thickens, then add the nutmeg powder, parmesan, salt & pepper.
  9. Stir to combine, taste and adjust the salt and pepper and then remove from heat. The sauce should coat the back of the wooden spoon.
  10. To assemble the lasagne, preheat the oven to 180°Celsius.
  11. Take a 8x12" baking dish, spread a few spoons of Bolognese sauce at the bottom. This is just so the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom.
  12. Then, add one layer of Pasta sheets, add another layer of Bolognese Sauce, then Bechamel Sauce and lastly the mozzarella. That will be 4 layers of pasta sheets, 4 layers of Bolognese sauce (including the very bottom layer), 4 layers of Bechamel sauce and 4 layers of mozzarella.
  13. Put the baking dish in the oven for 30-40 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes before slicing.
  14. Serve with an extra sprinkle of basil or parsley. Enjoy!

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular Recipes

Chicken Pot Pie Hand Pies

-
Image
Skip to Recipe Chicken Pot Pie graces our dinner table very often during the colder months. It is comfort food at its finest and full of warm, cozy flavors. However, making it can be quite a hassle. There’s the rolling of the pie dough, the making of the filling, the assembly of the pie, and finally the baking. That is where these Chicken Pot Pie Hand Pies come in. These Hand Pies have everything you love about a classic, hearty, homemade chicken pot pie but without all the fuss. The fact that these take almost half the time of regular pot pies to bake is a big win, especially during the weeknights. Prepared with a rich and creamy filling of chicken and veggies and tucked into store-bought puff pastry, then baked until golden and crisp. With a delectable filling inside and a golden beautiful crust outside, these savory pies are such a wonderfully cozy treat to warm up with on a chilly fall or winter night. They can be...
Read more

Crispy Parmesan Potato Stacks

-
Image
Skip to Recipe Who doesn't like potatoes? They are versatile, affordable, and it doesn’t take much to transform them into scrumptious, mouthwatering dishes, making them an excellent choice for party appetizers that can feed a hungry crowd. These Crispy Parmesan Potato Stacks are a fun twist on the traditional potato dishes. Layers of thinly sliced potatoes that are infused with butter, garlic and parmesan and then baked in a muffin pan until golden and crispy. As each stack bakes, the top layers of the potatoes and edges get crispy while the center remains soft and creamy. Not to mention,as they bake in the oven, they will leave your kitchen smell incredible! Though they look festive and elegant, they don’t need much to make them delish. The secret to a great stack is thinly slicing the potatoes and layering them together. So while a sharp knife is an option, you're much better off using a mandolin. This ensures that each ...
Read more

Carrot Cake Bliss Balls

-
Image
Skip to Recipe We all have been in a similar situation. After a whole day of healthy eating, when you think that you have turned a corner, the clock strikes 3 p.m, and even before realizing, you are halfway through a bag of crisps or a big block of chocolate. When it comes to healthy eating, there’s one strategy that works time and again, and that is meal prepping. It has been a life-changer for me. Amidst hectic weekday schedules, it not only saves a lot of my time but also opens a world of healthy treats that are readily available when hunger strikes. These Carrot Cake Bliss Balls take the flavors of a traditional carrot cake and turn it into a healthy snack! Packed with fresh carrots and oats and naturally sweetened with dates, these Carrot Cake Bliss Balls satisfy your hunger and give you an instant energy boost. This no-bake recipe comes together in no time and makes for a healthy and delicious snack you can grab...
Read more

Blueberry Chia Seed Pudding

-
Image
Skip to Recipe Though chia seeds have been there in the market for a pretty long time, it was only a few years ago that I came to know about them from an article. Initially, their consumption was limited to smoothies, but when puddings made with chia seeds came popping up on my Instagram feed, I knew it was time for me to give it a try! And to my surprise, it turned out awesome, and I was hooked. When the temperature rises, our breakfast staple oatmeal takes a backseat and enters CHIA SEED PUDDING. Filled with wholesome ingredients, this creamy Blueberry Chia Seed Pudding is a healthy, nourishing, and satisfying breakfast that comes together in no time. All you have to do is blend, mix, and set it into the refrigerator overnight. And, you will wake up to a delicious meal ready for you in the morning with minimal effort! Brilliant, isn’t it? Scented with vanilla, cinnamon and loaded with fresh blueberries, this pudding is simply amazing! Despite...
Read more

Hearty Vegetable and Lentil Stew

-
Image
Skip to Recipe Rainy and cold weather seems to demand a bit of comfort food, and hence I have been making a lot of soups and stews lately. When it comes to vegetarian cooking, lentils are a favorite of mine and are always present in my pantry. They are packed with plant based protein and a great way to make filling and healthy meals. Not to forget, they are budget friendly too! This Vegetable and Lentil Stew is hearty, comforting and satisfying as it is loaded with a lot of vegetables and it is a nutritional powerhouse. If you are looking to transition to a vegetarian diet or simply looking for meatless meals, then this stew is perfect for you! Even my meat loving husband approved of it and relished it with gusto. I have used brown lentils for this recipe as they hold their shape, and at the same time, absorb all the flavors. What I love about this stew is that it is incredibly versatile and customizable. I have ...
Read more

Hash Brown Egg Cups

-
Image
Skip to Recipe Most days you will find us starting our day with a sweet meal, like Healthy Morning Glory Muffins , Easy and Healthy Homemade Granola , Tiramisu Chia Seed Pudding and Healthy Apple Cinnamon Muffins. However, once in a while, we switch things up and opt for savory bites. If you too want to opt out of sweet ways and start the day with a hearty, savory make-ahead breakfast, this is the recipe for you! These Hash Brown Egg Cups are pretty much exactly what they sound like. Hash brown cups that are filled with eggs, cheddar, bacon and veggies and then cooked in the oven. Why this Recipe Works Healthy: Packed with protein and veggies, these are a nutritious way to start your day. Easy customizable: These cups can be easily customized to suit your own tastes and preferences. You can add whatever diced veggies and meat y...
Read more