Hearty Italian Lasagna with Bechamel Recipe: Simple Comfort Food

Layers of rich, creamy lasagna with bechamel sauce promise a culinary journey that melts away weeknight stress.

Tender pasta sheets embrace a harmonious blend of savory meats and velvety white sauce.

Each forkful carries the warmth of traditional Italian comfort food, inviting you to savor every delectable bite.

The bechamel creates a silky backdrop that elevates simple ingredients into a gourmet experience.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dish, passing down secrets of perfect texture and flavor.

Cheese bubbles golden, pasta nestles perfectly, and aromas fill the kitchen with anticipation.

This recipe transforms an ordinary dinner into a memorable feast that sparks conversation and connection around the table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 7

What Makes Lasagna with Béchamel So Good

• Lasagna Noodles: Sturdy, wide noodles that create delicious layered structure, choose high-quality dried pasta for best texture and reliable cooking performance.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy mozzarella provides melty richness while parmesan adds sharp, nutty depth, select freshly grated versions for maximum flavor intensity.

• Olive Oil: Provides silky foundation for sauce, choose extra virgin for robust flavor.
• Garlic: Aromatic foundation that builds deep savory notes, select firm, fresh cloves without soft spots.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and adds depth, opt for high-quality brands in tubes or small cans.
• Dry Red Wine: Optional flavor enhancer that adds complexity, use decent cooking wine with balanced acidity.
• Sugar: Balances tomato's natural acidity, use sparingly.
• Dried Oregano: Introduces classic Italian herb profile, select fragrant, recently packaged herbs.
• Kosher Salt: Seasoning cornerstone, enhances overall taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Provides subtle heat and warmth, adjust according to spice preference.
• San Marzano Tomatoes: Premium Italian variety with sweet, low-acid profile, select whole crushed version.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Bright, fresh finishing herb that adds aromatic freshness.

• Milk: Creamy base for smooth sauce, whole milk recommended for richness.

Tools for Baking Lasagna with Béchamel

• Large skillet: Perfect for sautéing sauces and meat.
• Saucepan: Essential for creating smooth bechamel sauce.
• Food processor: Great for pulsing meat mixture to desired consistency.
• Baking dish: Needed for layering and baking lasagna.
• Whisk: Key for blending bechamel sauce without lumps.
• Knife: For chopping garlic and onions.
• Cutting board: Provides clean surface for ingredient prep.
• Wooden spoon: Helps stir and mix sauces smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient amounts.

How to Plate and Serve Lasagna with Béchamel

• Comforting Family Feast: Gather everyone around the table and enjoy this hearty lasagna as a complete meal that brings loved ones together with its rich, layered flavors.
• Gourmet Side Pairings: Serve alongside a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables to balance the lasagna's intense, creamy texture.
• Wine Companion Delight: Complement the robust meat and tomato sauce with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which will enhance the dish's deep, savory notes.
• Fresh Herb Finishing Touch: Sprinkle freshly chopped basil or parsley on top just before serving to add a bright, aromatic element that cuts through the lasagna's richness.

Store Leftover Lasagna with Béchamel the Right Way

• Smart Meal Planning Guide
• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare double the marinara and meat sauce batches, storing extras in airtight containers for future quick meals. Refrigerated sauces stay fresh for 4-5 days, making weeknight dinners super simple.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Assemble entire lasagna before baking, wrap tightly in plastic and aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months for convenient make-ahead dinners. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking.
• Portion Control Trick: Cut lasagna into individual servings before refrigerating. This allows easy grab-and-go lunches and prevents repeatedly reheating entire dish, maintaining optimal texture and flavor.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated lasagna slices in oven at 350°F covered with aluminum foil for 15-20 minutes. Add splash of extra marinara sauce to prevent dryness and restore moisture. Microwave works for quick single servings, but oven maintains better cheese melting and crispy edges.

Lasagna with Béchamel Made Step by Step

• Flavor Foundation

Create a vibrant marinara sauce by gently simmering ripe tomatoes with aromatic herbs and a splash of wine. This rich base will infuse the entire dish with deep, comforting flavors that dance on your taste buds.

• Creamy White Essence

Craft a silky bechamel sauce that transforms ordinary ingredients into a luxurious blanket of creamy goodness. The smooth white sauce will add incredible depth and texture to your lasagna.

• Meaty Complexity

Build a robust meat mixture using a blend of ground beef and sausage, seasoned with fragrant fennel and a hint of spice. This hearty layer will provide a satisfying and rich foundation for the lasagna.

• Layered Symphony

Assemble your culinary masterpiece by carefully arranging alternating layers of noodles, meat sauce, bechamel, and cheese. Each layer tells a story of flavor and texture, creating a harmonious dish that will wow your dinner guests. Bake until golden and bubbling, releasing an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen with warmth and anticipation.

Helpful Ideas for Lasagna with Béchamel Success

• Add a splash of red wine to the marinara sauce for deeper, richer complexity that elevates the entire dish's taste profile.
• Mix ricotta with fresh chopped parsley and grated parmesan for an extra burst of flavor between lasagna layers.
• For a crispier top, sprinkle extra mozzarella and broil for 2-3 minutes during the last stage of baking to create a golden, bubbling crust.
• Prepare the entire lasagna up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Simply bake when ready to serve, allowing flavors to meld and intensify overnight.
• Replace meat with roasted zucchini, eggplant, and spinach, keeping the same sauce techniques for a hearty vegetable lasagna that doesn't compromise on richness.

Creamy Lasagna with Bechamel Recipe

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4.9 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Michael’s classic lasagna with bechamel sauce combines rich layers of pasta, creamy sauce, and savory meat. Hearty Italian comfort delivers a delightful meal you’ll savor with each perfectly crafted bite.

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Ingredients

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• 12 sheets (340 g) dry lasagna noodles
• 1 pound (454 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 8 ounces (227 g) parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 28 ounces (794 g) crushed San Marzano tomatoes
• ¼ cup (57 g) butter
• 3 cups (720 ml) milk
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil
• ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) tomato paste
• ½ cup (120 ml) dry red wine (optional)
• 12 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper

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Instructions

1. Marinara Preparation: Heat olive oil in a skillet, sauté garlic until fragrant. Add red wine, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, salt, and red pepper flakes. Incorporate crushed tomatoes and basil, simmering for 20 minutes. Blend for a smooth consistency using an immersion blender.
2. Bechamel Creation: Warm milk separately. In another pan, melt butter and whisk in flour, salt, and white pepper. Cook the roux briefly. Gradually stream warm milk into the mixture, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens to a velvety texture.
3. Meat Sauce Development: Heat olive oil, toast fennel seeds and red pepper flakes. Sauté onions and garlic until translucent. Brown ground beef and Italian sausage completely. Pulse meat in a food processor for uniform texture. Merge with marinara sauce, simmering to intensify flavors.
4. Noodle Preparation: Soak lasagna noodles in hot water for 20 minutes to ensure pliability.
5. Layering Technique: Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Create strategic layers starting with meat sauce, followed by noodles, bechamel, and a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. Repeat layering, finishing with a generous cheese topping.
6. Baking and Resting: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes until golden and bubbling. Rest for 10-15 minutes to allow layers to set, facilitating easier serving.

Notes

• Sauce Preparation Tip: Create marinara sauce a day ahead to enhance flavor depth and allow ingredients to meld beautifully.
• Noodle Handling Hack: Soak noodles in hot water to prevent breaking and ensure perfect texture without pre-boiling.
• Cheese Mixing Strategy: Combine ricotta with mozzarella and parmesan for a richer, more complex cheese layer that melts smoothly.
• Resting Importance: Let lasagna rest after baking to help layers stabilize and make cutting and serving much easier without falling apart.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 660 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg