Classic Italian Lasagna

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Classic Italian Lasagna is a timeless comfort dish layered with rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and tender pasta sheets. Hearty, cheesy, and full of flavor, it’s the kind of homemade meal that brings everyone to the table. Perfect for holidays, Sunday dinners, or whenever you’re craving an authentic Italian classic.

ingredients

this Recipe

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the meat sauce (ragù):
olive oil
onion (finely chopped)
garlic (minced)
ground beef and/or Italian sausage
tomato paste
crushed tomatoes or passata
dried oregano
salt
black pepper
fresh basil (optional)
red wine (optional)

For the béchamel sauce:
unsalted butter
all-purpose flour
milk (warm)
salt
ground nutmeg
grated parmesan cheese

Other ingredients:
lasagna noodles (oven-ready or pre-boiled)
shredded mozzarella cheese
parmesan cheese (for topping)

directions

Make the meat sauce:
Heat olive oil in a large pan. Add onion and sauté until soft, then stir in garlic.
Add ground meat and cook until browned.
Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, herbs, salt, pepper, and wine if using.
Simmer on low for 30–40 minutes until thickened. Stir in basil at the end.

Make the béchamel sauce:
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes.
Gradually whisk in warm milk. Stir until smooth and thickened.
Season with salt and a pinch of nutmeg. Stir in parmesan.

Assemble the lasagna:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce.
Layer noodles, meat sauce, béchamel, and mozzarella. Repeat layers.
Finish with a layer of noodles, béchamel, and top with mozzarella and parmesan.

Bake:
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields 8–10 servings.
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Baking time: 40–45 minutes
Resting time: 15 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Variations

Use ricotta in place of béchamel for a different texture.
Add spinach or mushrooms between layers.
Make it spicy with red pepper flakes or spicy sausage.
Try a white lasagna with chicken and a creamy mushroom sauce.
Use gluten-free noodles to make it GF-friendly.

storage/reheating

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through.
Freeze baked lasagna for up to 3 months—thaw overnight before reheating.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the day before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready.

Do I need to boil the noodles?
No, if using oven-ready noodles. Pre-boil if using traditional dry pasta.

Can I freeze it before baking?
Yes, assemble and freeze—bake from frozen, adding extra time.

Is béchamel traditional in Italian lasagna?
Yes, in many authentic versions like Lasagna alla Bolognese.

What’s the best cheese for lasagna?
Mozzarella and parmesan are classic, but fontina or provolone can be added for richness.

Conclusion

Classic Italian Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food—rich, layered, and bursting with savory flavor. Whether you’re making it for a crowd or freezing portions for later, this lasagna delivers everything you love about homemade Italian cooking in every cheesy, saucy bite.

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