Lasagna

 Ingredients:

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 pound (450g) ground beef
• 1/2 pound (225g) ground pork (or use more beef)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Béchamel Sauce:

• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and white pepper, to taste

For the Lasagna:

• 12 lasagna noodles
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves (for garnish, optional)

Instructions:

For the Meat Sauce:

1. Cook the Meat:

   • In a large skillet or saucepan, brown the ground beef and ground pork over medium heat until no longer pink. Break it up into small pieces as it cooks.
   • Remove excess fat if necessary.

2. Add Onions and Garlic:

   • Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the cooked meat.
   • Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions are translucent.

3. Tomato Sauce:

   • Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste.
   • Add red wine if using.
   • Season with dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
   • Simmer the sauce over low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

For the Béchamel Sauce:

4. Prepare the Béchamel:

   • In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
   • Stir in the flour to create a roux. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes until the roux is pale golden.
   • Gradually whisk in the milk, and continue to whisk until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
   • Season with ground nutmeg, salt, and white pepper. Remove from heat.

For the Lasagna:

5. Cook the Noodles:

   • Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente.
   • Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

6. Layer the Lasagna:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • In a large baking dish, start by spreading a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom.
   • Layer with lasagna noodles, overlapping them slightly.
   • Add a layer of meat sauce, béchamel sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
   • Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.

7. Bake:

   • Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
   • Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

8. Rest and Serve:

   • Let the lasagna rest for about 10 minutes before slicing.
   • Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
   • Serve your classic lasagna hot and enjoy!

This classic lasagna recipe yields a rich, cheesy, and satisfying dish that's perfect for gatherings or special occasions. It's also great as leftovers and freezes well for future meals.