Name: Italian Lasagna alla Bolognese
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 1 h
Yield: 8
Cuisine: إيطالية
Ingredients: 12 lasagna sheets (dried or fresh); For the bolognese: 500g ground beef; 1 onion, chopped; 1 carrot, grated; 1 celery stalk, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cans pureed tomatoes; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1/2 cup red wine (optional); Salt, black pepper, and oregano; For the béchamel: 4 tbsp butter; 4 tbsp flour; 4 cups warm milk; A pinch of nutmeg; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Layers of pasta sheets with rich meat bolognese, creamy béchamel, and melted cheese — a beloved classic Italian family dish.

خطوات التحضير

Prepare the bolognese: heat oil and sauté the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic until soft, add the ground beef and cook until browned.

Add the wine (if using) and let it evaporate, then stir in the tomato paste, pureed tomatoes, and seasonings, and simmer on low heat for 40-45 minutes until thickened.

Prepare the béchamel: melt the butter, whisk in the flour and cook for a minute, then gradually pour in the warm milk while whisking continuously until smooth and creamy; season with salt and nutmeg.

If using dried lasagna sheets that require pre-boiling, cook them per package instructions and drain.

In a baking dish, start with a thin layer of bolognese, then lasagna sheets, then another layer of bolognese, then béchamel, repeating the layers until ingredients are used up, finishing with a béchamel layer topped with cheese.

Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over the top layer, and bake in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) for 30-35 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.

Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing so the layers hold together when served.

نصيحة

Slow-simmering the bolognese sauce is the secret to its deep flavor — don't rush this step. Let the lasagna rest briefly after coming out of the oven before slicing, so the layers don't fall apart.

Lasagna is one of Italy's most iconic dishes, tracing its roots to the city of Bologna in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. The dish is built from alternating layers of wide pasta sheets, rich ground meat sauce (bolognese), and creamy béchamel sauce, then baked until the cheese melts and a golden crust forms on top.

Making authentic lasagna requires patience — the bolognese sauce needs hours of slow simmering to deepen its flavor, setting it apart from quicker versions. Traditionally, Parmesan and mozzarella cheese are used to add richness and a satisfying texture.

Lasagna is a perfect dish for family gatherings and celebrations since it's made in large batches, and its flavor often deepens even further when reheated the next day after the layers have had time to soak in the sauce.