Classic lasagna

One of the most famous recipes from the Italian kitchen: lasagna. This version is simple, but oh so delicious! In this recipe I do not use wine, so that it is accessible to everyone. That is why I am not allowed to officially call it 'lasagna Bolognese'. And I am not going to do that of course.

For this recipe, you start with that great base of onion, carrot and celery. By frying them together and then adding minced meat, you already have the perfect base for lasagna. Try it!

This recipe serves 4-6 people, depending on whether the lasagna is a main or side dish.

Ingredients

For 4 people:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion
• 1 large carrot
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 clove garlic (optional, but tasty!)
• 500 gr minced beef
• 1 sprig thyme / 1 tsp needles
• 1 sprig of rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 small can tomato puree (70 g)
• 700 ml passata (sieved tomatoes)
• 1 beef stock cube
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 350 gr grated cheese
• 250 g lasagna sheets

For the bechamel sauce:

• 50 gr butter
• 60 gr flour
• 600 ml milk
• Pinch of pepper, salt and nutmeg

Prefer a video?

In the video below you can see how I make the lasagna in less than a minute:

Preparation of classic lasagna:

Preheat oven to 180°C. Chop onion and garlic. Cut carrot and celery into small cubes.

Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Sauté the onion and garlic. Add the carrot and celery and fry briefly. Then add the minced meat and fry until crumbly. Add the tomato puree and fry briefly.

Add the sprig of thyme, rosemary and bay leaves. Pour in the passata and crumble the stock cube. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Melt the butter in a pan. Add the flour and stir until smooth. Gradually add the milk while whisking until smooth. Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Finally, mix in 100 grams of grated cheese.

Grease a large baking dish with oil or butter. Start with a thin layer of béchamel sauce. Place 3 lasagna sheets on top. Spread a layer of béchamel sauce on top and then spoon tomato sauce on top.

Sprinkle with some grated cheese. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used. Finish with lasagna sheets, béchamel sauce and a generous layer of grated cheese.

Place the dish in the oven and bake the lasagna for about 45 minutes.

Let the lasagna rest for 5 minutes before cutting. Enjoy!