Introduction:
As the winter chill sets in, there’s nothing quite like indulging in a warm, comforting dish to lift your spirits. For me, that dish is a hearty lasagna, a medley of flavors and textures that instantly warms the soul. Over the years, I’ve experimented with various lasagna recipes, and today, I want to share my own rendition – a culmination of my favorite elements from different recipes. I can’t recall the exact sources, but what I do remember is that this lasagna has been a hit every time I’ve served it to friends and family.
Ingredients:
- Onions
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Tomato paste
- White wine
- Mince meat
- Canned tomatoes
- Chicken broth cube
- Water
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Nutmeg
- Lasagna noodles
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Ricotta cheese
- Thyme
- Parsley
Instructions:
Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- Dice onions, carrots, and garlic.
- Sauté them in a pan with olive oil until softened.
- Add tomato paste and white wine; let it cook.
- In a separate pan, cook the mince meat without salt to prevent it from drying out.
- Combine the cooked meat with the onions and carrots.
- Add canned tomatoes, a chicken broth cube, and water to create a rich sauce.
- Stir in thyme and parsley to enhance the flavor.
Create the Béchamel Sauce:
- In a pan, melt butter and add flour to create a roux.
- Cook until it forms a golden paste.
- Slowly add milk, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes creamy.
- Add a touch of nutmeg to elevate the béchamel’s flavor.
Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat the oven to 160-180°C (320-356°F).
- Begin by spreading a layer of béchamel on the bottom of the baking pan.
- Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top (using no-boil noodles for convenience).
- Add the prepared meat sauce on the noodles.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella, parmigiana, and ricotta cheese.
- Drizzle blobs of béchamel over the cheese.
- Repeat the layers until you run out of ingredients.
Bake to Perfection:
- Place the assembled lasagna in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes or until the top is golden and the cheese is melted.
There you have it – my go-to lasagna recipe that never fails to bring joy to the table. The combination of savory meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and gooey melted cheese makes for a truly comforting and satisfying winter dish. So, the next time you’re craving a cozy, homemade meal, give this lasagna recipe a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
