Homemade Beef Lasagna with Homemade Sauce and Pasta
For a delightful homemade beef lasagna that showcases rich flavors and a perfect balance of textures, follow this comprehensive recipe. This lasagna is built with a carefully crafted beef sauce, tender homemade lasagna sheets, and a creamy cheese sauce. Let’s dive into the detailed steps and ingredients needed to create this savory dish.
Ingredients
For the Lasagna Sheets:
- 300 grams all-purpose flour (or 150 grams if halving the recipe)
- 2 tablespoons milk powder (or 1 tablespoon if halving)
- 1 large egg (or ½ egg if halving)
- 500 ml water (or 250 ml if halving)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or 1 tablespoon if halving)
For the Beef Sauce:
- 500 grams ground beef
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 200 grams onion (about ½ large onion), chopped
- 4 ripe tomatoes (or 1 if halving), chopped
- 50 grams tomato paste (or 70 grams tomato sauce if halving)
- 2 broccoli florets (optional, for added texture)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (or ½ teaspoon if halving)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
- ½ teaspoon dried basil (optional)
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- Salt to taste (or ½ teaspoon if halving)
- Vegetable oil for sautéing
- 50 ml water
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 25 grams all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons margarine
- 750 ml UHT milk
- 100 grams cheddar cheese (or mozzarella if preferred)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
For the Topping:
- Shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella for a richer flavor)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Beef Sauce:
1.1. Heat a splash of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent.
1.2. Add the ground beef to the skillet, cooking until browned and crumbly.
1.3. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste (or tomato sauce), and 50 ml of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
1.4. Add the black pepper, granulated sugar, and, if desired, oregano and basil. Stir well to combine and let the sauce simmer until it thickens to your liking. Adjust seasoning with salt as needed. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Make the Lasagna Sheets:
2.1. In a large bowl, combine the flour and milk powder. Create a well in the center and add the egg. Mix using a whisk, gradually adding the water until the dough is smooth and lump-free.
2.2. Stir in the vegetable oil until well combined.
2.3. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Pour 2 ladlefuls of the batter into the skillet, spreading it into a thin, even layer. Cook until the edges start to lift and the surface is set, then flip and cook the other side.
2.4. Repeat until all the batter is used, creating several thin, round sheets.
3. Prepare the Cheese Sauce:
3.1. In a saucepan, melt the margarine over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring continuously to form a roux.
3.2. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens.
3.3. Stir in the cheese, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and granulated sugar. Cook until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Assemble the Lasagna:
4.1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
4.2. For an easier assembly, use a 12×10 cm aluminum cup (or muffin tin if preferred). Cut the lasagna sheets into small circles that fit the base of the cups.
4.3. Layer the lasagna by placing two sheets at the bottom of each cup. Spread 2 teaspoons of cheese sauce over the sheets, followed by 2 teaspoons of beef sauce.
4.4. Repeat the layers with two more sheets, more cheese sauce, and beef sauce. Finish with a final layer of lasagna sheets, topped with the remaining cheese sauce.
4.5. Sprinkle the top generously with shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella for extra flavor).
5. Bake and Serve:
5.1. Place the assembled lasagna cups in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling. The baking time may vary depending on your oven.
5.2. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
This homemade beef lasagna, featuring a rich meat sauce, tender lasagna sheets, and creamy cheese sauce, is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the layers of deliciousness in each bite, and relish the satisfaction of a meal made from scratch.
