Description
Indulge in the rich, creamy layers of our Christmas Eve Lasagna, a cozy and comforting holiday classic. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for your festive gathering, featuring tender pasta, a savory meat sauce, and a decadent béchamel topping.
Ingredients
– 12 lasagna noodles
– 1 pound ground beef
– 1 onion, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
– 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
– 2 teaspoons dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 2 cups ricotta cheese
– 1 egg
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 3 cups milk
– 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat.
4. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes until onions are translucent.
5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
6. In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese.
7. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk and nutmeg. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
8. Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, then top with 1 cup of the meat sauce and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
9. Repeat the layers of noodles, ricotta, meat sauce, and mozzarella.
10. Top with the remaining 4 lasagna noodles and the béchamel sauce.
11. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
12. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a richer flavor, use a blend of ground beef and Italian sausage. You can also add sliced mushrooms or spinach to the meat sauce. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 60
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian