Here’s a rich, comforting classic lasagna recipe — layered with slow-cooked meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and bubbling cheese 🍝✨

🍝 Classic Beef Lasagna

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

Meat Sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 500 g ground beef (mince)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tin (400 g) crushed tomatoes
• ½ cup beef stock or water
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• Optional: pinch of sugar (if tomatoes are acidic)

Béchamel (White Sauce)

• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 tbsp flour
• 3 cups milk (warm)
• Salt & white pepper
• Pinch nutmeg (optional but authentic)

Layers

• 9–12 lasagna sheets (oven-ready or pre-cooked)
• 2 cups grated mozzarella
• ½ cup grated Parmesan

👩‍🍳 Method

1️⃣ Make the Meat Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a pan.
2. Sauté onion until soft (5 minutes).
3. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
4. Add mince and brown well.
5. Stir in oregano, basil, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and stock.
6. Simmer gently for 20–30 minutes until thick and rich.
7. Season to taste.

👉 The thicker the sauce, the better your lasagna layers will hold.

2️⃣ Make the Béchamel

1. Melt butter in a saucepan.
2. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute.
3. Gradually whisk in warm milk.
4. Cook until thick and smooth (about 5 minutes).
5. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

3️⃣ Assemble

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).

In a greased baking dish:

1. Thin layer of meat sauce
2. Lasagna sheets
3. Meat sauce
4. Béchamel
5. Sprinkle mozzarella

Repeat layers (usually 3 layers total).
Finish with béchamel and remaining mozzarella + Parmesan on top.

4️⃣ Bake

• Cover loosely with foil.
• Bake 25 minutes covered, then
• Remove foil and bake 15–20 minutes more until golden and bubbling.

Rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing (important!).

🔥 Tips for the Best Lasagna

• Let the meat sauce simmer properly for deep flavour.
• Don’t over-sauce — balance is key.
• Resting helps it slice neatly.
• Even better the next day!

🧀 Variations

• Add ricotta mixed with egg & parsley between layers.
• Use half beef, half pork for richer flavour.
• Make a vegetarian version with roasted vegetables or spinach & mushrooms.