Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food — layers of tender pasta, flavorful meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and gooey melted cheese. This version is hearty, cheesy, and absolutely delicious for family dinners or festive occasions.
Ingredients
For the meat sauce:
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 large onion, finely chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1½ pounds (700 g) ground beef
– 1 teaspoon salt
– ½ teaspoon black pepper
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1 teaspoon oregano
– 1 teaspoon basil
– 1 can (400 g) crushed tomatoes
– 3 tablespoons tomato paste
– 1 teaspoon sugar
– ½ cup water
For the béchamel sauce:
– 4 tablespoons butter
– 4 tablespoons flour
– 4 cups milk (warm)
– ½ teaspoon nutmeg
– Salt and pepper to taste
– ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Other ingredients:
– 12 lasagna sheets (precooked or cooked as per package instructions)
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 4 slices cheese or extra mozzarella for layers
– 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (optional for stronger flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare the meat sauce
In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and basil. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, and water. Let simmer for 20–25 minutes on low heat until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside. - Make the béchamel sauce
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute. Gradually pour in warm milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until sauce thickens. Add nutmeg, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well and remove from heat. - Assemble the lasagna
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce at the bottom of your baking dish.
Add a layer of lasagna sheets, then spread some meat sauce on top, followed by béchamel sauce and shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with béchamel and a generous amount of mozzarella and cheddar on top. Add slices of cheese if desired for extra creaminess. - Bake
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling. - Serve
Let it rest for 10–15 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve warm with salad or garlic bread.
Tips
– Add a little grated Parmesan between layers for deeper flavor.
– You can substitute beef with ground chicken or turkey.
– For a creamier version, mix some ricotta cheese into the béchamel.
