Ah, the all-time favorite — Beef Lasagne! 🇮🇹❤️
Rich, cheesy, saucy layers of pasta, ground beef, and creamy béchamel or ricotta filling. This is the classic comfort dish that never fails to impress.
Here’s a traditional, from-scratch beef lasagne recipe that’s hearty, flavorful, and foolproof:
🍝 Classic Beef Lasagne
Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
For the Meat Sauce
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1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or mix with pork for extra flavor)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 onion, finely chopped
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 (14 oz / 400 g) can crushed tomatoes
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2 tbsp tomato paste
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½ cup (120 ml) beef broth or red wine (optional)
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1 tsp dried basil
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1 tsp dried oregano
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½ tsp sugar (balances acidity)
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Cheese Layer
Option 1 — Béchamel (White Sauce):
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3 tbsp butter
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3 tbsp flour
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3 cups (720 ml) milk, warmed
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Pinch of nutmeg
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Option 2 — Ricotta Mixture (Easier):
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1 ½ cups (350 g) ricotta cheese
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1 egg
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½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
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1 tsp dried parsley or basil
For Assembly
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9–12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained (or no-boil noodles)
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2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
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½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the meat sauce
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
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Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until soft.
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Add garlic, then ground beef; cook until browned.
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Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, broth or wine, herbs, sugar, salt, and pepper.
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Simmer 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and flavorful.
2. Prepare the cheese layer
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Béchamel: Melt butter in a saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until smooth and thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
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Ricotta mix: Combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and herbs in a bowl; mix well.
3. Assemble the lasagne
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish.
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Layer in this order:
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Noodles
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Meat sauce
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Béchamel or ricotta layer
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Sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan
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Repeat for 3 layers, finishing with sauce and cheese on top.
4. Bake
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Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes.
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Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
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Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing — this helps it set.
5. Serve
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Serve warm with garlic bread and a green salad for the perfect Italian meal. 🍷🇮🇹
💡 Tips
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Make ahead: Assemble the lasagne, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
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Freezer-friendly: Wrap unbaked lasagne tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
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Extra flavor: Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of chili flakes to the meat sauce.
Would you like me to give you a creamy white lasagne version (made with chicken, spinach, and a cheesy béchamel)? It’s a lighter twist but just as delicious.
