Delicious Beef Lasagna Recipe
Experience the rich flavors of traditional Beef Lasagna with our easy-to-follow recipe, perfect for a comforting meal with family and friends. This dish combines layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and a creamy béchamel sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Let’s dive into the details!
Ingredients
For the Lasagna:
- Instant Lasagna Sheets (San Remo is recommended)
- Mozzarella Cheese for topping
For the Red Sauce:
- 350 grams ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 can tomato paste (Del Monte preferred)
- 1 sachet La Fonte Bolognaise Sauce
- 200 ml water
- Salt, to taste
- Sugar, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Italian herbs, to taste
For the White Sauce (Béchamel Sauce):
- 500 ml liquid milk
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons margarine or butter
- 85 grams of cheese, grated (about half of a 170g block)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Steps
Preparing the Red Sauce
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Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté until they are fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
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Cook the Meat: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until the meat changes color and is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
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Combine Ingredients: Stir in the tomato paste, Bolognaise sauce sachet, and water. Mix well until the sauce is uniform. Let it simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Season the Sauce: Season with salt, sugar, black pepper, and Italian herbs to taste. Adjust the seasoning to your preference. Set aside.
Preparing the White Sauce
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Make the Roux: In a medium saucepan, melt the margarine or butter over low heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
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Add Milk: Gradually whisk in half of the milk, making sure to stir continuously to avoid lumps. Add the remaining milk and continue to whisk until the mixture is smooth.
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Incorporate the Cheese: Stir in the grated cheese until it melts completely. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and set aside. Be cautious not to overcook the béchamel sauce, as it will thicken further at room temperature.
Assembling the Lasagna
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Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
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Layer the Lasagna: In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of the white sauce. Follow with a layer of the red meat sauce, then a layer of lasagna sheets. Repeat the layers, finishing with a layer of mozzarella cheese on top.
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Bake the Lasagna: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes. For a quicker cooking time, you can pre-boil the instant lasagna sheets for about 1 minute before layering.
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Final Touch: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Beef Lasagna with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Enjoy the layers of flavors and the comforting taste of this classic dish, perfect for any gathering or cozy dinner at home.
Bon appétit! 🌟