Classic Lasagna Bolognese: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe

Classic Lasagna Bolognese is the ultimate Italian comfort dish rich layers of tender pasta sheets, hearty meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and melted cheese baked to perfection. This traditional lasagna is everything you love about homemade Italian food: comforting, flavorful, and satisfying from the very first bite.

Perfect for Sunday dinners, family gatherings, or make-ahead meals, this recipe brings authentic Italian flavor to your kitchen with simple, time-tested ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Authentic Flavor – Classic Italian layers of sauce, pasta, and cheese.
• Rich & Hearty – Slow-cooked Bolognese meets creamy béchamel.
• Crowd-Pleaser – Perfect for family dinners or holidays.
• Make-Ahead Friendly – Assembles easily and freezes beautifully.
• Balanced Comfort – Creamy, savory, and deeply satisfying.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours

Ingredients

For the Bolognese Sauce:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb ground beef (or half beef, half pork)
• ½ cup red wine (optional)
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• ½ cup whole milk

For the Béchamel Sauce:

• 4 tbsp butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups milk
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Assembly:

• 12 lasagna noodles (cooked al dente)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Bolognese Sauce:
   Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic; sauté until softened. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in wine, tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer 45 minutes. Stir in milk near the end for creaminess.
2. Prepare the Béchamel Sauce:
   In a saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly add milk while whisking until thick and smooth. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
3. Assemble the Lasagna:
   Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased baking dish, layer as follows:
   • A thin layer of Bolognese
   • 3 lasagna noodles
   • More Bolognese sauce
   • Béchamel sauce
   • Sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan
     Repeat layers until ingredients are used, finishing with Béchamel and cheese on top.
4. Bake:
   Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
5. Rest & Serve:
   Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley.

How to Serve

• Plating Tips: Slice neatly and serve on warm plates for clean layers.
• Side Pairings: Garlic bread, Caesar salad, or roasted vegetables.
• Leftover Uses: Excellent reheated or layered into stuffed peppers.
• Beverage Pairing: Pair with Chianti, Cabernet, or sparkling water with lemon.

Additional Tips

• Use fresh lasagna sheets for an extra tender texture.
• Don’t skip the milk it balances tomato acidity.
• Resting after baking helps the layers set perfectly.
• For deeper flavor, simmer the sauce for up to 2 hours.

Variations

• Vegetarian Version: Replace meat with mushrooms and spinach.
• Extra Cheese: Add ricotta or cream cheese to layers.
• Spicy Kick: Add crushed red pepper to the sauce.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free noodles and cornstarch instead of flour.

Storage & Freezing

• Refrigerate: Up to 4 days in an airtight container.
• Freeze: Up to 3 months (assemble but don’t bake).
• Reheat: Bake covered at 350°F for 25 minutes or microwave individual portions.

Special Equipment

• Large skillet or Dutch oven
• Medium saucepan
• 9×13-inch baking dish

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make lasagna ahead of time?
Yes assemble, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I skip the béchamel?
You can use ricotta instead, but authentic Italian lasagna uses béchamel for creaminess.

Can I use store-bought sauce?
Homemade Bolognese gives the best flavor, but a quality sauce can save time.

Why rest lasagna before slicing?
It allows the layers to firm up for clean servings.

Conclusion

Classic Lasagna Bolognese is a timeless recipe that brings authentic Italian flavors straight to your table. With layers of rich Bolognese, creamy béchamel, and bubbling cheese, it’s the kind of meal that warms hearts and satisfies every craving.

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