LASAGNA BOLOGNESE

Lasagna Bolognese is a delicious and hearty Italian pasta dish made with layers of lasagna noodles, a rich Bolognese meat sauce, creamy béchamel sauce, and cheese. Here’s a recipe to make classic Lasagna Bolognese:

Ingredients:

For the Bolognese Sauce:

• 1 pound (450g) ground beef
• 1/2 pound (225g) ground pork
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces/800g) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 bay leaf

For the Béchamel Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and white pepper to taste

For the Lasagna:

• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

For the Bolognese Sauce:

1. In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for about 5 minutes until they soften.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add the ground beef and ground pork to the pan. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through.
4. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for a couple of minutes.
5. Pour in the red wine (if using) and let it simmer until it reduces by half, about 3-4 minutes.
6. Add the crushed tomatoes, dried herbs, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir well, bring to a simmer, and then reduce the heat. Let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the bay leaf when done.

For the Béchamel Sauce:

1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the flour and whisk constantly for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is lightly golden.
3. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
4. Cook the sauce, stirring constantly, until it thickens and comes to a simmer. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
5. Season the béchamel sauce with ground nutmeg, salt, and white pepper. Set aside.

Assembling the Lasagna:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of the Bolognese sauce.
3. Place a layer of cooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
4. Add a layer of Béchamel sauce on top of the noodles, followed by a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
5. Repeat the layers: Bolognese sauce, noodles, Béchamel sauce, and cheese, until all the ingredients are used up. Ensure the top layer is cheese.
6. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes.
7. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the lasagna is bubbling and the cheese is golden brown.
8. Let the lasagna rest for a few minutes before serving.
9. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired and serve the Lasagna Bolognese hot.

Enjoy your homemade Lasagna Bolognese, a classic Italian comfort dish that’s rich, savory, and full of flavor.