Lasagna

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 9 lasagna noodles
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 medium onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Steps

1. Prepare the meat sauce: Brown ground beef in olive oil, drain fat, then add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until softened. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for at least 30 minutes.
2. Make the béchamel sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour to form a roux, and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Prepare the cheese mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Assemble the lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer with 3 lasagna noodles, then a third of the ricotta mixture, a third of the remaining meat sauce, and a third of the béchamel sauce. Repeat layers twice.
5. Top the final layer of béchamel with the remaining shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
7. Rest and serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.