Classic Lasagna Recipe with Bechamel and Layers of Love

Classic lasagna refines ordinary ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that speaks directly to comfort and tradition.

Layers of rich pasta sheets intertwine with velvety sauces, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Italian home cooking reaches its pinnacle through this beloved dish that connects generations around the dinner table.

Skillful preparation demands patience and attention to detail, turning simple components into something extraordinary.

Sophisticated yet approachable, classic lasagna represents more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of family and heritage.

Creamy béchamel sauce binds each component, promising a dining experience that lingers in memory long after the last bite.

You’ll find this recipe irresistibly satisfying and guaranteed to impress dinner companions.

What Makes Classic Lasagna with Bechamel Comforting

• Flavor-Packed Layering: This lasagna delivers a symphony of tastes with its rich marinara, savory meat sauce, creamy bechamel, and melted cheeses that dance together in every single bite.
• Restaurant-Quality Technique: The method of creating homemade sauces and carefully processing the meat elevates this dish from ordinary to extraordinary, giving home cooks a professional-level culinary experience.
• Comfort Food Perfection: Warm, hearty, and deeply satisfying, this lasagna transforms simple ingredients into a soul-warming meal that hugs you from the inside out, making it ideal for family dinners and gatherings.

Ingredients That Bring Lasagna to Life

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein base with rich flavor and classic Italian lasagna texture.
• Ground Sausage: Adds depth and spiciness to the meat layer with traditional Italian seasoning.
• Fennel Seeds: Provides subtle licorice-like flavor common in Italian sausage profiles.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Delivers gentle heat and warm spiciness to the meat mixture.

• Onion: Foundational vegetable that builds deep savory undertones in the sauce.
• Garlic: Intense flavor enhancer with robust aromatic qualities.

• Olive Oil: Essential cooking fat for sautéing and developing rich flavors.
• Tomatoes: Core ingredient providing bright, tangy base for marinara sauce.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor with deep, slightly sweet profile.
• Wine: Optional ingredient adding complexity and depth to sauce.
• Basil: Fresh herb bringing classic Italian herbal brightness.
• Oregano: Signature Italian herb with earthy, slightly bitter notes.

• Milk: Smooth, creamy foundation for bechamel sauce.
• Butter: Rich base for creating velvety bechamel sauce.
• Flour: Thickening agent for creating smooth sauce consistency.

• Lasagna Noodles: Traditional layering pasta for classic Italian casserole.

• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer for all components.
• White Pepper: Subtle, mild spice for bechamel sauce.
• Sugar: Balances tomato sauce acidity.

Step-by-Step Lasagna Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Zesty Marinara Base

• Wine (optional)
• Tomato paste
• Sugar
• Oregano
• Salt
• Red pepper flakes

Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and fresh basil. Simmer until sauce slightly reduces, about 20 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Optional: Blend for smooth consistency.

Step 2: Create Silky Bechamel Sauce

• Flour
• Salt
• White pepper

Cook on low heat for 1-2 minutes. Gradually pour warm milk, whisking continuously until smooth. Continue cooking until sauce thickens.

Step 3: Build Robust Meat Mixture

In a skillet, toast fennel seeds and red pepper flakes in olive oil. Add diced onions and garlic, cooking until softened. Brown ground beef and sausage. Pulse mixture in food processor for even texture. Combine with prepared marinara sauce and simmer.

Step 4: Layer and Assemble Lasagna

• Meat sauce
• Noodles
• Bechamel sauce
• Cheese blend

Repeat layering, finishing with a cheese topping. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Allow lasagna to rest for 10 minutes after baking. This helps layers set and makes cutting easier. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade comfort meal.

Lasagna Tips for Layers That Wow

• Simmer Strategically: Let marinara sauce reduce slowly to concentrate flavors and develop a rich, deep taste without burning the bottom.
• Smooth Sauce Secret: Whisk bechamel constantly while adding milk to prevent lumps and achieve a silky, creamy texture.
• Meat Mixture Magic: Pulse the cooked meat in a food processor for a more uniform, tender consistency that spreads evenly through the lasagna.
• Noodle Ninja Trick: Soak pasta sheets in hot water to soften them without pre-boiling, saving time and preventing overcooking.
• Cheese Crown Technique: Reserve some cheese for the final top layer to create a golden, bubbling crust that looks and tastes irresistible.

Keep Lasagna Leftovers Tasty for Days

• Store and Reheat Leftovers
• Refrigeration: Wrap the lasagna tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the dish sealed to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Freezing: Slice the lasagna into individual portions, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover the lasagna with foil to prevent drying out. Warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through. For individual servings, microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway to ensure even heating.

Perfect Pairings for Bechamel Lasagna

• Perfectly Pair with Red Wine: Complement the rich, hearty lasagna with a robust Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese, which cuts through the creamy bechamel and balances the meaty tomato sauce.
• Refresh with Crisp Salad: Create a light counterpoint by serving a zesty arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette, helping to cleanse the palate between bites of the dense lasagna.
• Elevate with Garlic Bread: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious marinara sauce and provide a crunchy texture contrast to the soft, layered lasagna.
• Cool Down with Chilled Dessert: Finish the meal with a light, refreshing dessert like lemon sorbet or panna cotta to balance the richness of the main course and cleanse the palate.

Try These Fun Lasagna Variations

• Vegetarian Veggie Fusion: Replace ground beef and sausage with roasted eggplant, zucchini, and mushrooms. Layer with spinach and ricotta cheese for a hearty plant-based alternative that bursts with Mediterranean flavors.
• Seafood Mediterranean Style: Swap meat with fresh crab or shrimp, adding a light seafood touch to the classic lasagna. Incorporate dill and lemon zest into the bechamel sauce for a bright, coastal-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwestern Remix: Transform the recipe by introducing ground turkey, jalapeños, and a blend of Mexican cheeses. Incorporate cumin and chili powder into the marinara sauce for a zesty southwestern kick that tingles the taste buds.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Use zucchini slices or gluten-free lasagna noodles as a base. Ensure all other ingredients remain the same, creating a celiac-friendly version without compromising rich, traditional flavors.

Classic Lasagna With Bechamel Recipe

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4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Layers of rich Italian comfort define this classic lasagna, blending tender pasta, hearty meat sauce, and creamy bechamel. Homemade warmth fills each bite, inviting you to savor a traditional culinary journey through Italy’s most beloved comfort dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheese:

• 1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 8 ounces (226 grams) parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Meat:

• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
• 1 pound (454 grams) hot Italian sausages, casings removed

Noodles and Base Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) lasagna noodles (12 sheets dry lasagna noodles)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• 12 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

Marinara Sauce:

• 28 ounces (794 grams) crushed San Marzano tomatoes
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ½ cup dry red wine (optional)
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 6 cloves garlic, minced

Bechamel Sauce:

• 3 cups milk (any variety)
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper

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Instructions

1. Craft a robust marinara sauce by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Introduce minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
2. Reduce heat to medium and incorporate optional white wine, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, salt, and red pepper flakes. Allow ingredients to meld for 2 minutes.
3. Pour in whole crushed tomatoes and fresh basil, then simmer for approximately 20 minutes until sauce slightly reduces. Season with additional salt if needed and optionally blend for smoother consistency.
4. Prepare bechamel sauce by gently warming milk in a separate container. In a medium saucepan, melt unsalted butter over low heat.
5. Whisk flour, salt, and white pepper into melted butter, cooking the mixture for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
6. Gradually stream warm milk into butter-flour mixture, continuously whisking to prevent lumps. Simmer until sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
7. For meat sauce, heat olive oil in a skillet and toast fennel seeds and red pepper flakes until aromatic.
8. Add diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until vegetables soften and become translucent.
9. Introduce ground beef and Italian sausage, browning thoroughly. Transfer mixture to food processor and pulse for uniform texture.
10. Combine processed meat with prepared marinara sauce, allowing flavors to meld by simmering gently.
11. Soften lasagna noodles by soaking in hot water for 20 minutes, ensuring they become pliable.
12. Grease a 9 x 13 inches (23 x 33 centimeters) baking dish and begin layering: spread meat sauce, arrange noodles, drizzle bechamel, and sprinkle cheese layers.
13. Repeat layering process, ensuring final layer is topped with generous cheese coverage.
14. Bake in preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden brown.
15. Remove from oven and allow lasagna to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving, enabling layers to set and flavors to intensify.

Notes

• Master this classic Italian comfort dish with layers of rich, hearty flavors that meld together perfectly.
• Soak lasagna noodles beforehand to ensure they cook evenly and absorb the delicious sauces.
• Choose high-quality ground beef and Italian sausage for maximum depth of flavor in the meat sauce.
• Blend marinara sauce for a smoother texture if you prefer less chunky tomato bits.
• Make bechamel sauce slowly and gradually to prevent lumps and achieve a silky-smooth consistency.
• Allow lasagna to rest 10-15 minutes after baking to help layers set and make cutting easier.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 535 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 870 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 37 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg