Simple Meat Lasagna 😋👇
✅ Ingredients for Ragu Bolognese
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped (white, yellow, or brown)
1 medium carrot, peeled and very finely diced
1 celery stick, very finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 lb ground beef
28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 cup pinot noir red wine, or other dry red wine
3 beef bouillon cubes, crumbled
2 bay leaves, dried or fresh
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 – 2 tsp sugar, if needed
1/2 tsp salt and black pepper
✅ Ingredients for Cheese Sauce (Besciamella)
4 tbsp butter
1/2 cup flour
4 cups milk, preferably full fat
2 cups gruyere or Colby cheese, shredded (or cheddar, Monterey Jack, or 1 cup shredded parmesan)
Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
Salt and pepper
✅ Ingredients for Lasagna
12 oz fresh lasagna sheets (or 8 oz dried)
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Finely chopped basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
🟢 Instructions
1. To make the ragu bolognese, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, and garlic.
Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned.
3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, crumbled bouillon cubes, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar if needed. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Remove the bay leaves and set aside.
5. For the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.
6. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens.
7. Stir in the shredded cheese and a pinch of nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
9. To assemble the lasagna, spread a thin layer of ragu bolognese in a baking dish. Layer with lasagna sheets, followed by the cheese sauce. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with cheese sauce on top.
10. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella on top.
11. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden and bubbling.
12. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped basil or parsley if desired.
Enjoy your simple meat lasagna!#culinarycreationsmagic