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 mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Cooling Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 slices
Calories 350 kcal
large pot
medium pot
Whisk
baking dish
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
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.
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