Classic Beef Lasagna Recipe | Layers of Meat, Cheese and Sauce | Recipe by Maryam Umer

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese provides a lower-fat option while maintaining creaminess.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: cheddar cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces calories while cheddar is often cheaper.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast offers a dairy-free alternative, while pecorino is often less expensive.

Heat oil in a pan.

Chop and add 2-3 medium-sized onions to the pan, sauté until translucent.

Chop and add 8-10 cloves of garlic, sauté for 2-3 minutes.

Add 0.5 kg of minced beef to the pan and cook until browned.

Chop and add 4-5 tomatoes and 5-6 tablespoons of tomato puree to the beef.

Add spices: 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, 0.5 teaspoon coriander powder, 1 teaspoon oregano, and 1 tablespoon paprika powder. Mix well.

Cook for 15-20 minutes on low heat without adding water, as the tomatoes will release moisture.

In another pan, melt 1.5 tablespoons of butter and add 3-4 chopped cloves of garlic, sauté for 1-2 minutes on low to medium heat.

Add 2 tablespoons of flour to the garlic and sauté on low heat, stirring continuously to avoid burning.

Add spices: 0.5 teaspoon salt, 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, and 0.5 teaspoon oregano to the flour mixture.

Gradually add 1.5-2 cups of milk, stirring to avoid lumps, until the sauce thickens.

Add 2-3 tablespoons of cream and 2 slices of cheese to the sauce, mix until melted and smooth.

Check the consistency of the sauce and adjust thickness as desired, then turn off the heat.

Mash the cooked beef mixture slightly with a spatula, ensuring it remains juicy and not dry.

Optionally, add chopped bell pepper to the beef mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes, then turn off the heat.

Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).

Spread a layer of white sauce in a heat-resistant tray.

Boil lasagna sheets with salt and oil, wash them, and set aside to prevent sticking.

Layer boiled lasagna sheets over the white sauce.

Spread the beef filling evenly over the lasagna sheets.

Add a layer of mixed mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the beef filling.

Repeat the layering process with white sauce, lasagna sheets, beef filling, and cheese as desired, depending on the depth of the tray.

Top the final layer with lasagna sheets, then add cheese on top.

Sprinkle oregano and red chili flakes over the cheese layer.

Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens