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A bubbling dish of savory beef lasagna with a golden cheesy top.

Beef Lasagna

This classic beef lasagna recipe is a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests. Layers of rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and tender pasta bake together to create a comforting meal.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat Sauce
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic cloves minced
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
Béchamel Sauce
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups milk warm
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
Other Ingredients
  • 12 sheets lasagna noodles oven-ready or cooked al dente
  • 4 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • large saucepan
  • 9x13 inch baking dish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook ground beef, then add onion and garlic until softened.
  2. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and seasonings. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, then season to taste.
  3. Melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add warm milk, whisking constantly until thickened; season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
  4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Assembly
  1. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a baking dish. Top with lasagna noodles, followed by béchamel sauce, then mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
  2. Repeat layers, ending with béchamel and cheeses.
  3. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until bubbling and golden.
Serving
  1. Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage. You can prepare both the meat sauce and béchamel sauce a day in advance to save time. Be sure to cook lasagna noodles al dente if not using oven-ready ones, as they will continue to cook in the oven.