Homemade Lasagna Made with Authentic Italian Ragu Sauce
From Making Rich Ragu Sauce to Perfect Lasagna: The Ultimate Guide to the Bolognese Recipe
Authentic Italian Ragu sauce is made by slowly simmering minced beef, tomatoes, wine, and vegetables for a long time, creating a deep and rich flavor. It’s also known as Bolognese sauce. Just as kimchi varies from household to household in Korea, Ragu sauce recipes differ in every Italian home. Today, we’ll use this carefully prepared Ragu sauce to make a delicious lasagna that the whole family can enjoy.
Ragu Sauce Ingredients
- 200g ground beef
- 2/3 jar tomato sauce
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 1/5 carrot, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 cup red wine (200ml)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- A little butter
- 100ml water
- A little fresh parsley (for garnish)
Lasagna Assembly Ingredients
- 6 lasagna sheets
- Homemade Ragu sauce (generous amount)
- Béchamel sauce (optional)
- Mozzarella cheese (plenty)
- 6 lasagna sheets
- Homemade Ragu sauce (generous amount)
- Béchamel sauce (optional)
- Mozzarella cheese (plenty)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Lightly grease a wide pan with olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the ground beef and start sautéing. Once the beef begins to brown, add 1 tablespoon of sugar. Sugar enhances the beef’s umami and helps tenderize it. (*Tip: If you’re using white wine instead of red, its acidity can somewhat compensate for the sweetness, so you can adjust or omit the sugar.)
Step 2
When the beef is about halfway cooked, pour in 1 cup (200ml) of red wine. Wine helps remove any gamey odors from the meat and deepens the flavor. (*Tip: Using a dry red wine is recommended for a richer Ragu sauce. If red wine isn’t available, white wine can also be used. The key is to let the alcohol evaporate while infusing flavor.)
Step 3
Maintain medium heat and sauté until the alcohol scent from the wine dissipates and the flavor intensifies, about 5 minutes. This process further enhances the savory notes.
Step 4
Once most of the liquid has evaporated, add the finely chopped onion, carrot, and celery. These vegetables will add sweetness and depth to the Ragu sauce. (*Tip: If you don’t have carrots or celery, it’s okay to omit them, but including them, even in small amounts, helps balance the flavors.)
Step 5
Stir everything together to combine the vegetables with the beef, and sauté for about 3-5 minutes until the vegetables become slightly translucent. This step helps to bring out the natural sweetness of the vegetables.
Step 6
Next, add 2/3 jar of tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 2 bay leaves, and 100ml of water. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and let it simmer until the sauce thickens, for at least 30 minutes. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little water to reach your desired consistency.
Step 7
When the sauce has reduced to a thick and rich consistency, your Ragu sauce is ready! Let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. It’s best to consume refrigerated sauce within about 4 days for optimal freshness. (*Tip: This Ragu sauce is also delicious served over pasta or spread on toast.)
Step 8
Now it’s time to assemble the lasagna. Spread a thin layer of Ragu sauce on the bottom of your oven-safe dish. Arrange the lasagna sheets on top, making sure they don’t overlap. Then, generously ladle a good amount of Ragu sauce over the pasta.
Step 9
After adding the Ragu sauce, if you have prepared Béchamel sauce, spread a thin layer of it over the Ragu. Béchamel sauce adds a creamy texture and richness to the lasagna. (*Tip: If you prefer not to use Béchamel sauce, you can skip this step and proceed directly to adding the cheese.)
Step 10
Finally, cover the entire surface generously with mozzarella cheese. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown and bubbly. Let the lasagna rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade lasagna!
