Preparing Your Classic Lasagna
Experience the authentic flavors of Italy right at home with our Classic Lasagna recipe. This dish, layered with rich meat sauce, creamy bechamel, and melted cheese, is a testament to the timeless allure of Italian cuisine. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to impress.
You may also be interested in the Bacalhau com Natas or Chicken and Vegetable Pie.
You can also check out our other Main Dishes recipes.
Classic Lasagna
Experience the authentic flavors of Italy right at home with our Classic Lasagna recipe.
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs Pork thigh or shoulder without bone
- 1 lb tomatoes
- ½ lbs hard cheese
- 2 cups fl oz milk
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 12-15 pcs lasagna sheets
- 2 pcs onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp wheat flour of the highest grade
- 1½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Prepare a bechamel sauce from butter, flour, and milk.
- Salt, season with nutmeg, and remove from heat.
- Chop the tomatoes into coarse slices and stew under a lid on low heat.
- Chop the onion and garlic into coarse pieces.
- Fry the vegetables, stirring occasionally, in a large frying pan or in a pot with a capacity of no less than 2.5 quarts on medium heat for about 10 minutes.
- Pass the fried vegetables with raw meat through a meat grinder into the same frying pan or pot.
- Fry, constantly stirring, until the meat turns brown.
- Then pour in the wine and bring everything to a boil.
- Rub the tomatoes through a sieve into the same frying pan or pot.
- Bring everything to a boil again, salt, and remove from heat.
- Pass the cheese through a meat grinder and mix with bechamel.
- When the meat sauce has cooled down a bit, mix it with cheese and bechamel sauce.
- Lay out a layer of meat filling in a baking dish, then lay out lasagna sheets on top.
- Bake for about an hour at a temperature of 355°F (180°C)
Notes
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh tomatoes, good-quality cheese, and fresh herbs can make a big difference.
- While this recipe calls for pork, you can also use beef or a mix of beef and pork for a different flavor profile.
- After baking, let the lasagna rest for about 15 minutes before cutting into it. This allows the lasagna to set and makes it easier to cut into neat squares.
- For an extra flavor boost, consider adding some finely chopped fresh basil or oregano to the tomato sauce.
- While hard cheese is used in this recipe, adding some mozzarella can give your lasagna a nice, gooey texture.
- Lasagna is a great make-ahead dish. You can assemble it a day ahead and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.
