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Lasagna Bolognese

Lasagna Bolognese: A Comforting Classic for Any Gathering

Experience the hearty and delicate flavors of homemade Lasagna Bolognese, a crowd-pleaser perfect for any gathering.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Bolognese Sauce
  • 1 pound Ground Beef
  • 1 pound Ground Pork can substitute turkey
  • 4 ounces Pancetta can substitute with bacon
  • 1 medium Onion finely minced
  • 1 medium Carrot
  • 1 stalk Celery
  • 3 cloves Garlic fresh for best flavor
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 1 cup Red Wine can replace with beef broth
  • 28 ounces Crushed Tomatoes use quality canned tomatoes
  • 2 leaves Bay Leaves remove before serving
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
For the Lasagna Noodles
  • 12 noodles Egg Lasagna Noodles preferably fresh
For the Béchamel Sauce
  • 5 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
  • ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour gluten-free flour can substitute
  • 4 cups Whole Milk can opt for dairy-free alternative
  • teaspoon Freshly Grated Nutmeg
  • 1 ¼ cups Freshly Grated Parmesan reserve some for layering
For the Cheese Layer
  • 8 ounces Fresh Mozzarella diced

Equipment

  • Dutch oven
  • Large pot
  • Saucepan
  • Baking Dish
  • Food Processor

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. In a Dutch oven, cook pancetta over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes; remove and set aside. Finely chop onion, carrot, and celery in a food processor, then add them to the pot, cooking until softened, roughly 8-10 minutes. Stir in ground beef and pork, cooking until browned. Add tomato paste, red wine, and crushed tomatoes, followed by bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Let the Bolognese sauce simmer on low heat for 2.5 to 3 hours until thick and flavorful.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and gently add the egg lasagna noodles. Cook for about 4 minutes, or until al dente; they should remain firm as they will continue cooking in the oven. Drain the noodles and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside to cool.
  3. In a saucepan, melt 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour, stirring constantly for about 2-3 minutes until golden and bubbling. Gradually add 4 cups of warmed milk while continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens, around 5-7 minutes. Stir in ⅛ teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg and 1 ¼ cups of freshly grated Parmesan, mixing until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9"x13" baking dish and begin layering by spreading a thin layer of béchamel sauce on the bottom. Place a single layer of lasagna noodles, followed by spoonfuls of Bolognese and another layer of béchamel. Scatter diced fresh mozzarella and add more Parmesan. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with béchamel sauce and the remaining cheeses on top.
  5. Cover the assembled Lasagna Bolognese with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. After the hour, remove the foil to allow the top to become golden and bubbly, baking for an additional 15 minutes. Let the lasagna rest for 20-30 minutes to set before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 15mg

Notes

Make your Bolognese sauce a day ahead for deeper flavors. If using no-boil noodles, let the assembled lasagna rest for 1 hour before baking.

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