Lasagne with Red and White Sauce
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8
2–3 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2–3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 sprig rosemary, leaves removed and minced
1 tsp dried oregano
2–3 mid-sized carrots, chopped small or shredded
1–2 sticks of celery, chopped small
1 lb (450 g) ground beef
3–4 cups (0.75–1 kg/1.7–2.2 lb) tomato pulp or crushed tomatoes
7–10 basil leaves, finely chopped
Salt
Black pepper
½ cup (70 g/2.5 oz) flour
½ cup (8 tbsp/1 stick/125 g/4.4 oz) butter
1 quart (950 ml) whole milk, cold
Salt
Pepper
4–5 sprigs fresh thyme
Nutmeg
1 box (1 lb/450 g) Lasagna noodles, optionally cooked according to package directions
1 ½ cups (185 g/6.5 oz) grated mozzarella
Heat olive oil in large pot on medium heat.
Add the onion and garlic, and stir. Let fry for about 2–3 minutes. Do not let the garlic burn.
2–3 minutes
Add rosemary oregano, carrots, and celery. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes.
2 minutes
Stir in the ground beef. Cook until it is fully browned.
Stir in the tomato pulp, basil, salt, and pepper.
Cook everything for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If it gets too thick, add some water.
20 minutes
Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat.
When the foam has subsided, add the flour and whisk until it is smooth and free of lumps. This is called a roux.
Cook the roux for 5–6 minutes on low until the floury taste has disappeared. Do not let it brown.
5–6 minutes
Gradually stir in the cold milk until fully incorporated, with no lumps.
Cook over medium heat, stirring until the mixture comes to a simmer.
Simmer, stirring, for a few more minutes.
Stir in the salt, pepper, thyme, and nutmeg.
Allow the bechamel to cool.
Preheat oven to 390°F/200°C.
Cover bottom of casserole dish with a bit of Bolognese sauce.
Cover with a layer of lasagna noodles, breaking or cutting to fit if necessary.
Layer on some Bolognese sauce and bechamel sauce. Keep on layering lasagna noodles, Bolognese sauce, and bechamel sauce until you reach the rim of the dish.
Cover with mozzarella.
Bake for about 30–40 minutes until the top is golden brown.
30–40 minutes
- •Bolognese sauce is also a great pasta sauce to go with spaghetti.
- •The dish can easily be prepared a day ahead and baked when needed.