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A bubbling dish of savory beef lasagna with a golden cheesy top.

Beef Lasagna

This classic beef lasagna recipe is a comforting and hearty dish, perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests. Layers of rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and tender pasta bake together into a delicious masterpiece.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat Sauce
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 0.5 cup beef broth
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
Béchamel Sauce
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups milk, warm
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg, grated
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp white pepper
Assembly
  • 12 lasagna noodles, oven-ready
  • 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Equipment

  • large pot
  • saucepan
  • whisk
  • 9x13 inch baking dish

Method
 

Meat Sauce
  1. Brown ground beef in a large pot, then drain any excess fat.
  2. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened.
  3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
  4. Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes, or longer for a richer flavor.
Béchamel Sauce
  1. Melt butter in a saucepan, then whisk in flour to create a roux.
  2. Gradually add warm milk, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens and is smooth.
  3. Season with nutmeg, salt, and white pepper. Set aside.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  3. Layer with lasagna noodles, followed by béchamel sauce, more meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
  4. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cheeses.
  5. Bake for 45 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
  6. Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For best results, allow the meat sauce to simmer longer to develop deeper flavors. You can also prepare the meat sauce a day in advance. If using traditional lasagna noodles, boil them according to package directions before assembly.