Serve this with Basil Pesto Caprese Salad for a starter and you’ve got yourself an epic Italian feast! Finish the dinner with our Instant Amaretti Tiramisu. Every family has their own lasagne recipe they believe to be the best and I can never argue with that! After all, most of us grew up on this legendary pasta bake. So the recipe, that evokes sweet childhood memories will always win. However, allow me to convince you to give this recipe a try. I’ve tried many variations on lasagne in my days. Some of them I shared with you like my Rustic Three Cheese Lasagna, that uses a slow cooked beef ragu instead of a beef mince. I’ve also cut the meat out completely, replacing it with mushrooms, to make a memorable Vegetable Lasagna. Or to take a completely different path, I’ve brought all these flavours together in tasty Lasagna Soup! Or my Seafood Lasagna; a luxurious concoction of creamy layers of seafood and fresh pasta. I’ve loved them all if I am honest. I also love the American version of lasagna, often made using layers of lasagna sheets, Bolognese sauce, ricotta cheese, spinach, then topped with creamy mozzarella. That’s the version my husband has a real attachment to! There are so many variations of lasagne and they are ALL delicious but let me introduce you to the classic Lasagne alla Bolognese.
Traditional Lasagne Recipe
I never thought of lasagne being something crazy special when I was younger. The recipes I knew often called for pre-made sauces, so all we did was assemble. My opinion changed drastically when my Italian friend Angela brought a proper homemade lasagne for our first Christmas in the UK. I knew right away it was something she laboured over for a couple of hours and it showed. That dish was truly spectacular. It was also very simple. Layers of pasta sheets interspersed with slow cooked Bolognese sauce, white sauce aka Bechamel and loads of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. That’s it. No ricotta, spinach or mozzarella. That’s how I learned the traditional Italian recipe didn’t have those layers. And what we knew as lasagne was an American version of the dish.
Serving suggestions
I find it’s best to let a lasagna rest for 10 minutes before serving. The extra time lets some of the liquid absorb into the rest of the dish so pieces hold together better, and helps prevent the lava-like cheese from burning anyones mouth. A lasagna works as a meal all to itself, but as a hefty dish it can benefit from a simple side salad. I also love to serve warm garlic bread, always popular in my house and a great way to soak up any remaining sauce!
Favourite Baked Pasta Recipes to Try:
Layered Italian Baked Mac and Cheese Gnocchi Bake with Meat Sauce and Mozzarella Easy Baked Ziti Recipe Stuffed Shells with Pesto and Tomato Beef Sauce
