Béchamel Cheese Beef Lasagna
A comforting dish with layers of pasta, ground beef, and a creamy béchamel sauce, perfect for family gatherings and cozy dinners.
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce Can use homemade or store-bought.
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Lasagna Assembly
- 9 pieces lasagna noodles Can use traditional or no-boil noodles.
- 2 cups béchamel sauce Can use homemade or store-bought.
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
For Garnish
- Fresh basil For garnish before serving.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Next, add the minced garlic and ground beef; cook until the beef is browned. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions, then drain them.
Assembly and Baking
- In a baking dish, start by spreading a layer of the meat sauce.
- Add a layer of lasagna noodles on top, then pour on the béchamel sauce, followed by a layer of mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used up, finishing with a layer of béchamel and mozzarella on the top.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the last layer.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the lasagna sit for 10 minutes before serving and garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
To save time, consider using no-boil lasagna noodles. Make the béchamel sauce the day before to speed up the cooking process. Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra flavor and nutrients.