The Best Classic Italian Lasagna Recipe for Pasta Lovers

Crafting an authentic lasagna brings pure comfort to your kitchen table.

Layers of rich, hearty ingredients tell a delicious story passed down through generations.

Pasta sheets create a delicate canvas for robust flavors that dance together.

Creamy ricotta and savory ground beef intertwine with aromatic herbs and perfectly seasoned tomato sauce.

Mediterranean culinary traditions shine through each carefully assembled bite.

Cheese bubbles and edges crisp, promising a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Come experience a classic italian lasagna that will transport you straight to a cozy trattoria in naples.

Proper Storage for Classic Italian Lasagna

• Store cooled lasagna in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Carefully cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and protect from other food odors.
• Wrap individual portions or the entire lasagna tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Place individual portion on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through for even warming.

FAQs

• What makes a traditional Bolognese sauce authentic?

Traditional Bolognese uses ground beef or a mix of beef and pork, slowly simmered with vegetables like onion, carrot, and celery. The key is patient cooking, allowing flavors to develop through long, slow simmering with wine and herbs.

• Can I substitute ingredients in the bechamel sauce?

Yes, you can replace regular milk with whole milk or half-and-half for richer texture. For cheese, use a combination of parmesan and mozzarella or swap with gruyere for a different flavor profile. Always maintain similar fat content for best results.

• How do I prevent my lasagna from becoming watery?

To avoid excess liquid, ensure your ragu sauce is thick and reduced before layering. Drain any excess fat from the meat, and let the sauce simmer uncovered to concentrate flavors.

Classic Italian Lasagna Full of Flavor

• Craft Authentic Flavor: Experience the rich, traditional taste of Italy packed into every layer of this classic lasagna, bringing restaurant-quality cuisine directly to your home kitchen.
• Master Complex Cooking: Challenge yourself with a multi-step recipe that develops professional culinary skills while creating a deliciously impressive meal that looks professionally prepared.
• Perfect for Gathering Crowds: Designed to serve multiple people, this lasagna becomes an ideal centerpiece for family dinners, potlucks, and social gatherings where hearty comfort food shines.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows simple ingredient swaps like ground turkey instead of beef or adding extra vegetables to suit personal preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients Included in Classic Italian Lasagna

• Ground Beef: A rich, flavorful protein that creates the hearty foundation of the Bolognese sauce.
• Beef Bouillon Cubes: These add deep, savory complexity to the meat sauce.

• Onion, Carrot, Celery, Garlic: A classic Italian sofrito that provides a robust aromatic base with layers of flavor.

• Crushed Tomatoes: These create the classic red sauce texture and provide a bright, tangy base.
• Tomato Paste: This ingredient intensifies the tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.

• Red Wine: Adds depth and richness to the Bolognese sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Contributes a subtle umami and tangy note to the meat sauce.

• Bay Leaves, Thyme, Oregano: Traditional Italian herbs that provide authentic Mediterranean flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall taste.
• Nutmeg: A classic addition that brings warmth to the cheese sauce.

• Butter: Creates a smooth base for the bechamel sauce.
• Milk: The primary liquid for creating a creamy cheese sauce.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides a melty, stretchy topping for the lasagna.

• Lasagna Sheets: The structural component that holds the layers of the classic Italian dish.

• Fresh Basil, Parsley: Herbs that add a fresh, bright finish to the dish.

How to Prepare Classic Italian Lasagna

Step 1: Prep Flavor Base

Chop onions, carrots, celery, and garlic into fine pieces. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Toss in the chopped vegetables and cook until they become soft and fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 2: Create Hearty Meat Sauce

Add ground beef to the vegetable mixture.

Break up the meat with a wooden spoon, ensuring it browns evenly. Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, and seasonings.

Let the mixture simmer slowly, developing rich flavors and thickening gradually.

Step 3: Develop Creamy Cheese Sauce

Melt butter in a separate pan.

Sprinkle flour and whisk until smooth. Slowly pour milk, continuing to stir to prevent lumps.

Add cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir until the sauce becomes silky and thick.

Step 4: Layer Delicious Components

• Ragu sauce
• Lasagna pasta sheets
• Cheese sauce
• Repeat layers

Top the final layer with extra cheese sauce and sprinkle mozzarella cheese.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Slide the lasagna into the oven and bake until the top turns golden and bubbly. Remove and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.

Tips That Improve Classic Italian Lasagna

• Choose high-quality ground beef with moderate fat content for richer, more flavorful ragu sauce.
• Spread each sauce layer evenly to ensure consistent taste and texture throughout the lasagna.
• Simmer ragu sauce uncovered to reduce liquid and concentrate flavors, creating a thick, robust base.
• Pat lasagna sheets dry before layering to avoid excess moisture and maintain perfect pasta texture.
• Whisk milk gradually into flour-butter mixture to create smooth, lump-free bechamel without scorching.

Variations to Try on Classic Italian Lasagna

• Vegetarian Garden Lasagna: Replace ground beef with layers of roasted zucchini, eggplant, spinach, and mushrooms, using ricotta cheese as a protein-rich alternative to create a hearty vegetable-packed version.
• Seafood Mediterranean Lasagna: Substitute beef with a mixture of shrimp, scallops, and white fish, incorporating fresh herbs like dill and parsley, and adding a white wine-infused béchamel sauce for a coastal flavor profile.
• Spicy Mexican Lasagna: Transform the classic recipe by using seasoned ground turkey, adding jalapeños, cumin, chili powder, and replacing traditional cheese sauce with pepper jack and cheddar, topped with fresh cilantro and salsa.

Pairings That Complement Classic Italian Lasagna

• Pair Perfect Wine: Select a robust Italian red like Chianti Classico to complement the rich, meaty Bolognese sauce, cutting through its heaviness while enhancing the deep tomato flavors.
• Create Herbal Side Salad: Toss a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, fresh parsley, and shaved Parmesan to provide a light, zesty contrast against the lasagna's creamy, dense texture.
• Match Rustic Bread Pairing: Serve warm, crusty ciabatta or focaccia with olive oil and balsamic for dipping, allowing guests to soak up extra sauce and add a delightful crunchy element to the meal.

Classic Italian Lasagna Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty layers of rich ricotta, savory meat sauce, and melted mozzarella define this classic Italian lasagna recipe that brings comfort straight from grandmother’s kitchen. Pasta sheets stacked with love promise a delicious journey through traditional Italian culinary warmth you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Meat and Base Ingredients:

• 1 kilogram (2 pounds) ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely diced
• 1 celery stick, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 800 grams (28 ounces) canned crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 3 beef bouillon cubes, crumbled

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme & oregano
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pinch nutmeg

Cheese and Dairy Components:

• 60 grams (4 tablespoons) butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 4 cups milk
• 2 cups Gruyere or Colby cheese, shredded
• 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, shredded

Additional Components:

• 350 grams (12 ounces) fresh lasagna sheets
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare the robust Ragu Bolognese by gently sautéing finely chopped onions, carrots, celery, and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until vegetables become translucent and aromatic, approximately 10 minutes.
2. Introduce ground beef to the vegetable mixture, thoroughly breaking down the meat and cooking until it achieves a rich, uniform brown color.
3. Enhance the sauce with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, bouillon cubes, aromatic herbs, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning. Allow the mixture to simmer, initially covered for 1.5 hours, then uncovered for an additional 30 minutes until the sauce reaches a thick, concentrated consistency.
4. Craft the creamy béchamel sauce by melting butter and whisking in flour, creating a smooth roux that cooks for one minute to eliminate raw flour taste.
5. Gradually incorporate milk into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps, and simmer until the sauce thickens to a luxurious, velvety texture.
6. Integrate cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper into the béchamel, stirring until the mixture becomes completely smooth and glossy.
7. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F, preparing a baking dish for layering.
8. Construct the lasagna by alternating layers of rich ragu, pasta sheets, and creamy cheese sauce, ensuring even distribution and complete coverage.
9. Crown the final layer with remaining cheese sauce and sprinkle shredded mozzarella for a golden, bubbling top.
10. Bake for 25 minutes until the surface turns a beautiful golden brown and the edges become crispy.
11. Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes, enabling the layers to set and flavors to meld, then garnish with fresh herbs before serving.

Notes

• Use high-quality ground beef with a fat content around 15-20% for maximum flavor and juiciness in the ragu sauce.
• Create depth in the bolognese by letting it simmer slowly, allowing the ingredients to meld together and develop rich, complex tastes.
• Consider making the sauce a day ahead, as flavors intensify when resting overnight in the refrigerator.
• Soak lasagna sheets in warm water for a few minutes before layering to ensure they cook evenly and prevent a dry texture.
• Balance the richness of the meat sauce with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like basil or parsley just before serving to add brightness.
• For a gluten-free version, replace wheat lasagna sheets with zucchini slices or gluten-free pasta alternatives.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 497 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 610 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg