Baked Lasagna

17/11/2023

Baked lasagna is a classic of Italian cuisine and I can guide you through the preparation of this delicious dish. Here are the ingredients and procedure:

Ingredients

Lasagna (egg pasta sheets, pre-cooked or for baking in the oven)
Meat sauce (prepared with ground meat, a sauté of onion, carrot, and celery, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, possibly a glass of red wine)
Béchamel (butter, flour, milk, nutmeg, salt)
Grated Parmesan cheese
Mozzarella (optional, to add stringiness)
Extra virgin olive oil or butter for greasing the baking dish
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Prepare the meat sauce by browning a sauté of finely chopped onion, carrot, and celery in a pan. Add the ground meat and let it brown well. Pour in a glass of red wine and let the alcohol evaporate. Add the tomato puree, adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook over low heat for at least 1-2 hours.
Meanwhile, prepare the béchamel by melting the butter in a saucepan, add the flour quickly while stirring to avoid lumps. Pour the hot milk in a bit at a time, continuing to stir until the béchamel thickens. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Grease the bottom of a baking dish with oil or butter and spread a first layer of béchamel.
Place a first layer of lasagna sheets on top, cover with meat sauce and sprinkle with grated Parmesan (and pieces of mozzarella if you are using it).
Repeat the steps for at least 3-4 layers, finishing with meat sauce and plenty of Parmesan (and béchamel if you prefer).
Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C (356 °F) for about 30-40 minutes, until the lasagna is golden and the surface is crispy.
Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest a few minutes before serving.

Fun Facts

Baked lasagna originated in ancient Rome, but its modern version is associated with the city of Bologna. Over the centuries, this dish has spread throughout Italy, with small regional variations. For example, some variations may include mushrooms, spinach, or different types of cheese.