Lasagna is a classic Italian dish that can be made from scratch with love and care. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a delicious homemade lasagna: ## Ingredients: ### For the Meat Sauce: - 1 pound ground beef - 1 onion, chopped - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes - 2 tablespoons tomato paste - 2 teaspoons sugar - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil - 1 tablespoon olive oil ### For the White Sauce (Bechamel): - 4 tablespoons butter - 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour - 2 cups milk - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese ### Other Ingredients: - 9 lasagna noodles - 1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley - Additional grated Parmesan cheese for topping ## Instructions: ### Step 1: Cook the Lasagna Noodles - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. - Add lasagna noodles and cook them according to package directions until al dente. - Drain the noodles and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. ### Step 2: Prepare the Meat Sauce - Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. - Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. - Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink. - Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, pepper, and basil. Stir well. - Simmer the sauce for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. ### Step 3: Make the White Sauce (Bechamel) - In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. - Whisk in the flour until smooth and cook for 1 minute. - Gradually whisk in the milk, making sure there are no lumps. - Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. - Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. - Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. ### Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). - Spread a small amount of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. - Arrange 3 cooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce. - Spread half of the ricotta cheese over the noodles. - Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the ricotta. - Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and half of the chopped parsley. - Repeat layers with the remaining ingredients, starting with noodles and ending with mozzarella and parsley on top. - Cover the baking dish with foil. ### Step 5: Bake the Lasagna - Place the covered lasagna in the preheated oven. - Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil. - Continue baking for an additional 25 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly. - Let the lasagna rest for about 15 minutes before serving. ### Step 6: Enjoy Your Homemade Lasagna! Slice and serve your classic lasagna hot, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
How to Make a Classic Lasagna Recipe from Scratch
Lasagna is a classic Italian dish that can be made from scratch with love and care. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a delicious homemade lasagna:
Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the White Sauce (Bechamel):
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Other Ingredients:
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions:
Step 1: Cook the Lasagna Noodles
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add lasagna noodles and cook them according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain the noodles and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Prepare the Meat Sauce
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, pepper, and basil. Stir well.
- Simmer the sauce for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Make the White Sauce (Bechamel)
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour until smooth and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, making sure there are no lumps.
- Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and combined.
Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a small amount of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Arrange 3 cooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
- Spread half of the ricotta cheese over the noodles.
- Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the ricotta.
- Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and half of the chopped parsley.
- Repeat layers with the remaining ingredients, starting with noodles and ending with mozzarella and parsley on top.
- Cover the baking dish with foil.
Step 5: Bake the Lasagna
- Place the covered lasagna in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil.
- Continue baking for an additional 25 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let the lasagna rest for about 15 minutes before serving.
Step 6: Enjoy Your Homemade Lasagna!
Slice and serve your classic lasagna hot, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Enjoy your delicious homemade lasagna with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Buon appetito!