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Best Homemade Lasagna

Best Homemade Lasagna

This Best Homemade Lasagna features layers of rich Bolognese and creamy Béchamel sauces, perfectly baked for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 slices
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • medium pot
  • Whisk
  • baking dish

Ingredients
  

Bolognese Sauce

  • 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 lb. ground beef (90% lean)
  • 1 lb. ground pork
  • 3 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 2 jars (32-oz.) marinara sauce See instructions for use
  • 2 tsp. kosher salt

Béchamel Sauce

  • 4 cups whole milk
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 2 tsp. kosher salt
  • ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Assembly

  • 15 sheets no-boil lasagna noodles about 9 oz.
  • 1 lb. whole-milk mozzarella, shredded
  • 3 cups finely grated Parmesan about 7 oz.
  • Cooking spray
  • Chopped fresh parsley for serving

Instructions
 

Bolognese Sauce

  • In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat oil. Cook beef and pork, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  • Add tomato paste to pot and cook, stirring, until incorporated, about 1 minute. Add marinara sauce and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then stir in 1 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors have melded, about 20 minutes; season with remaining 1 teaspoon salt, if needed.

Béchamel Sauce

  • In a medium pot over medium heat, heat milk until warm to the touch but not boiling.
  • In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and cook, whisking frequently, until light tan in color and texture resembles wet sand, about 2 minutes.
  • Whisking constantly, very slowly add milk until combined. Increase heat to medium-high and continue to cook, whisking constantly, until sauce is thickened and smooth, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Pass spoon through edges of pot to collect any butter-flour mixture that wasn’t fully incorporated and mix to combine. Stir in nutmeg; season with salt and pepper.

Assembly

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a deep 13" x 9" ceramic, glass, or metal baking dish, spread 1 ½ cups Bolognese, followed by 3 pasta sheets and ¾ cup béchamel. Sprinkle with about one-fifth of mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat to make 5 layers, finishing with cheese.
  • Spray a sheet of foil with cooking spray. Cover dish greased side down.
  • Bake lasagna 20 minutes, then increase oven temperature to 400°. Uncover and continue to bake until sides are bubbling and darkened and cheese starts to turn golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Turn broiler to medium. Broil lasagna, watching closely, until top is browned in spots, about 1 minute.
  • Let cool 15 minutes. Top with parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 10mg
Keyword béchamel, Bolognese, comfort food, homemade, lasagna, pasta
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