Lasagne bolognese: the recipe everyone loves!
If we had to choose one dish that everyone agrees on, it would be lasagne bolognese ;) With its generous layers of pasta, long-simmered Bolognese sauce, creamy béchamel sauce and golden Parmesan gratin, it's the recipe par excellence for a convivial, gourmet meal that's even better when reheated the next day... Find out step-by-step how to make this Italian-flavored dish:
Ingredients
Bolognese sauce:
Béchamel sauce:
Materials
- 1 casserole dish
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 cutting board
- 1 knife
- 1 saucepan
- 1 whisk
- 1 large or several small gratin dishes
Preparation
Dice the onion, carrot and celery.
Pour the olive oil into the bottom of the casserole and add the vegetables one by one, stirring each time over medium heat. After 5 minutes, add the dried rosemary.
Add the ground beef and crumble with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 10 minutes.
Then add the wine and allow it to evaporate.
Then add the tomato purée. Fill the tomato purée bottle with water, shake and pour half into the casserole dish.
Bring to the boil, cover and reduce heat to low for about 3 hours.
Stir in the remaining water gradually.
You can adjust the cooking time according to the texture of the sauce you want!
At the end of cooking, add milk, salt and pepper and stir.
Béchamel sauce:
Melt the butter in a saucepan. When it has completely melted, add the flour all at once and whisk to combine.
Continue stirring to form a roux and cook for 2 minutes. Add milk gradually, stirring constantly.
When the béchamel has thickened, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg powder.
Now it's time to assemble the dish:
Pour a thin layer of béchamel sauce in the bottom of the gratin dish. Cover with a layer of lasagne sheet.
Then add a layer of Bolognese sauce and a layer of béchamel sauce. Top with grated Parmesan.
Repeat each time: a layer of lasagne sheet, a layer of Bolognese sauce, a layer of béchamel sauce and a layer of grated Parmesan.
Finish the dish by covering the top with béchamel and sprinkling generously with grated Parmesan.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F/180°C for 30 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave for a further 10 minutes.
And now it's ready for you to enjoy!
Observations
►If you want to make the bolognese sauce ahead of time: transfer it to an airtight container, let it cool completely before putting it in the fridge or freezer.
►If you want to make the béchamel in advance: transfer it to a bowl and cover with cling film.
What's the best meat to use for an authentic Bolognese sauce in lasagne?
For an authentic Bolognese sauce, we recommend using good quality ground beef. Here we've only used beef, but you can also mix ground beef and pork.
How do I adjust the cooking time of the Bolognese sauce to achieve the perfect texture?
This sauce recipe calls for a long cooking time of 3 to 4 hours over low heat, with the gradual addition of water to adjust the consistency. You can adjust the time depending on whether you prefer a thicker or thinner sauce.
Why is red wine added to Bolognese sauce, and how do I choose the right one?
Red wine adds depth and complexity to the sauce. It's best to use a good-quality dry red wine, but not too strong, so as not to mask the other flavors. You can also replace it with white or alcohol-free wine.
How do I make a smooth, lump-free béchamel sauce for lasagne?
Mix the melted butter with the flour to form a roux, then gradually add the milk, whisking constantly. It's best to keep the heat low/medium to ensure that the béchamel thickens slowly and doesn't stick to the pan. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg for a balanced taste. You can use plant-based or lactose-free milk without worry!
Can lasagne be prepared in advance, and how can it be stored?
Yes, you can prepare the lasagne the day before, cover it and store it in the fridge. It's best to let them come to room temperature before cooking, to ensure even cooking.
Can lasagne be frozen?
Lasagne can easily be frozen. Place them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating, to thaw slowly and avoid excessive thermal shock. You can also freeze just the sauce if you wish.
What type of pasta should I use?
Here we've used dry lasagne sheets, but you can also use fresh pasta. Remember to adjust the cooking time. The quantity used will depend on the dish(es) used for cooking.
Why add milk to Bolognese sauce?
It reduces the sauce's acidity and makes it milder. The addition of this ingredient is optional.
How can I improve Bolognese sauce?
You can add grilled pancetta to the sauce, as in the traditional Italian recipe for ragù sauce. This will bring out the flavor! Our recipe is a good alternative for people who don't eat pork.
How do I choose the dishes for this recipe?
Here, for 6 people, we've used several small dishes. If you'd like to make smaller or larger portions, adapt the sizes of the dishes used and modify the portions with the "+" or "-" button above the ingredients!
Cookware
Attributes
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