Italian Lasagna | The Casual Food Blogger

One of my favourite dishes is my dad’s famous lasagne. Many have tried and failed to get it right.

This recipe is my own take on beef lasagne. It is nowhere near as good as my dad’s and I would never divulge his secret recipe even if I knew it -you’ll have to buy his cook book when it comes out!

I have added some vegetables for extra nourishment and flavour, you can add whatever vegetables you like or even use a different type of mince.

Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

MEAT SAUCE:

750g mince beef
2 Tbs olive oil
1 onion sliced/diced
4 cloves garlic, finely sliced/diced
1 carrot, grated,
1 tomato, diced
1/2 capsicum, diced
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1 tin of diced tomatoes
Salt and pepper to season

WHITE SAUCE:

75g butter
2/3 cup of flour
2/3 cup of grated tasty cheese
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1L milk (you can use skim milk)
Salt and pepper to season

PASTA:

Packet lasagne pasta sheets
Water
Salt

Method:

MEAT SAUCE:

1. Heat oil in a large pan and fry off garlic and onion. Add beef and cook on high until browned. Drain out some of the oil.

2. Add tin of diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and vegetables and cook on medium for about 5 minutes.

Tip: vegetables such as leek and zucchini also work well. For a more Mexican twist, add a tin of mixed beans.

3. Season with some salt and pepper. Set aside.

WHITE SAUCE:

4. In a new pan, melt butter over medium heat.

5. Add onions and stir. Then add flour and stir until smooth.

6. Reduce stove to medium heat and pour in milk, stirring quickly until the mixture is smooth.

7. Add grated cheese and stir until melted.

8. Season with some salt and pepper.

PASTA:

9. Boil lasagne sheets in salted water until they are half-cooked. Spread out on a plate to cool.

Tip: make sure the lasagne sheets don’t touch when spread out on the plate to avoid them getting stuck together.

ASSEMBLY:

10. Line the bottom of an oven-proof dish with the pasta sheets. Pour a layer of the meat sauce on top, then cover with a layer of white sauce. Add another layer of pasta then repeat until the sauces are finished.