Special Homemade Lasagna
Crafting Your Perfect Lasagna: A Detailed Special Recipe
A layered masterpiece featuring wide pasta sheets, savory fillings, and rich sauces, baked to perfection to suit your family’s tastes. This special lasagna is a heartwarming dish perfect for any occasion.
Main Ingredients
- 3 slices Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese
- 200g Ground beef
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 4 ripe Tomatoes
- 4 sheets Lasagna pasta
Sauces and Seasonings
- Pinch of salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, as needed
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- 2 Tbsp All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Milk (approx. 480ml)
- 1 tsp Minced garlic (optional, for enhanced flavor)
- 1/2 tsp Dried oregano (optional, for enhanced flavor)
- Pinch of salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, as needed
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- 2 Tbsp All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Milk (approx. 480ml)
- 1 tsp Minced garlic (optional, for enhanced flavor)
- 1/2 tsp Dried oregano (optional, for enhanced flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by cooking the ground beef in a pan over medium heat. Once browned and no longer pink, season lightly with salt and pepper. For added depth of flavor, stir in 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp mirin, and 1/2 tsp sugar, and cook until the beef is crumbly and fragrant. Set aside. (If using frozen beef, ensure it’s fully thawed before cooking.)
Step 2
In a separate pan, heat a generous amount of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent and softened. It’s important to cook the onions thoroughly until their moisture has evaporated for the best flavor.
Step 3
Blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then immediately transfer them to an ice bath to cool. Peel the skin, remove the seeds, and finely dice the tomato flesh. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, add the diced tomatoes, and cook until the moisture has evaporated and the sauce has thickened. You can enhance the flavor by adding a pinch of salt, pepper, and dried oregano to your liking. (Using fresh tomatoes instead of store-bought pasta sauce allows for a lighter, brighter flavor profile.)
Step 4
Your delicious fillings for the lasagna are almost ready! While cooking all ingredients together might save time, it can diminish their individual flavors. Therefore, it’s recommended to sauté the ground beef, onions, and tomatoes separately to preserve their distinct tastes. Crucially, ensure all ingredients are cooked until their moisture has completely evaporated to prevent a watery lasagna.
Step 5
Cook the lasagna pasta sheets in boiling water with 1 tsp of salt and 1 Tbsp of olive oil according to package directions (usually 8-10 minutes). Handle them carefully to prevent sticking. Once cooked al dente, rinse them immediately in cold water to stop the cooking process and drain them completely before use.
Step 6
Now, let’s prepare the creamy and smooth Béchamel sauce. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly for about 1-2 minutes until smooth and lightly golden, ensuring there are no lumps. (Toasting the flour removes the raw flour taste.)
Step 7
Reduce the heat to low. Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and scorching. Continue stirring and cooking until the sauce reaches your desired thickness (a slightly thickened cream consistency). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Your Béchamel sauce is now ready.
Step 8
Lightly grease the bottom of your baking dish or oven-safe pan with olive oil. This prevents the lasagna from sticking to the pan during baking.
Step 9
Place a layer of the cooked lasagna pasta sheets at the bottom of the prepared dish. Generously spread your prepared ground beef mixture and the thickened tomato sauce over the pasta. Layer as much or as little as you prefer, according to your taste.
Step 10
Spoon an even layer of the Béchamel sauce over the meat and tomato layers, followed by a sprinkle of Cheddar cheese. Add another layer of lasagna pasta sheets, and repeat the process: meat sauce, tomato sauce, Béchamel sauce, and Cheddar cheese. Continue layering until you reach your desired height for the lasagna.
Step 11
For the final top layer, cover with Béchamel sauce and then generously sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Garnish with fresh parsley for a beautiful finish and enhanced aroma.
Step 12
Freshly out of the oven, this lasagna boasts a delightful combination of zesty tomatoes and lusciously melted cheese, creating a truly wonderful flavor experience. Enjoy the rich textures from the layers of ingredients! ♡
Step 13
For an even richer flavor, you can add a layer of store-bought Ragu sauce (a meat-based tomato sauce) or a bit of ketchup on top before the final bake, according to your preference. Adjust the sauces to suit your family’s taste for an even more special lasagna.
