Layers of Comfort, Flavor, and Love
Few dishes embody the warmth of home-cooked comfort like a Classic Beef Lasagna. With tender pasta sheets, a rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and a bubbling golden cheese topping, this Italian favorite brings everyone to the table. Whether you’re cooking for family dinner, entertaining friends, or meal-prepping for the week, lasagna never fails to impress.
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🍅 Ingredients
For the meat sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
500 g (1 lb) ground beef
1 can (400 g / 14 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
For the béchamel (white sauce):
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups milk (warm)
Salt and pepper, to taste
A pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Other ingredients:
9–12 lasagna noodles (cooked or oven-ready)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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🔥 Instructions
1. Make the Meat Sauce
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until soft and golden. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir well and let simmer for 20–25 minutes until thickened and flavorful. Set aside.
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2. Prepare the Béchamel Sauce
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for about 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually pour in warm milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Set aside.
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3. Assemble the Lasagna
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
Layer in this order:
1. Lasagna noodles
2. Meat sauce
3. Béchamel sauce
4. A sprinkle of mozzarella
Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with béchamel and a generous topping of mozzarella and Parmesan.
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4. Bake to Perfection
Cover the dish with foil (tent it slightly to avoid sticking to cheese) and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 15–20 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling.
Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing — this helps the layers hold together beautifully.
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🧀 Serving Suggestions
Pair with garlic bread or a crisp green salad.
Sprinkle extra Parmesan and fresh basil on top before serving.
Enjoy with a glass of red wine for a classic Italian dinner.
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💡 Tips for Success
Don’t rush the meat sauce — slow simmering deepens the flavor.
Letting the lasagna rest before cutting ensures neat, firm slices.
Make it ahead! Lasagna tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
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❤️ Why You’ll Love It
This Classic Beef Lasagna is rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying — a true comfort food masterpiece. Every layer tells a story of warmth and tradition, making it a dish you’ll return to again and again.
Classic Beef Lasagna
