Is there a recipe that you’ve been dying to do but is too afraid to try? For me, Beef Lasagna is one such dish. It is created in 5 steps and seems to be too much trouble. You have to cook the lasagna, make the meat sauce, make the white sauce, assemble, then bake. Yeah too many steps.
But a week ago, I got started with macaroni and cheese and decided, what the heck, they’re technically cousins so I’m going to do Lasagna. Though of course, Mac and Cheese is American and Lasagna is Italian, the process of cooking is almost the same. (Gasp, don’t kill me, Im just describing the process, lol)
You might be wondering, since, you know I’m into low carb meals, why I’m posting a lot of pasta recently. I gave in to the guys. No matter what I tell them, they just wouldn’t believe me and their stomachs are always grumbling for carbs. So I decided to cook mine and cook theirs. Gah. Garfield would be happy.
So anyway, Beef Lasagna is a classic Italian dish that is enjoyed by people all over the world. Made with tender lasagna noodles, a rich and flavorful beef filling, and a tangy tomato sauce, this dish is sure to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites. Whether you’re looking for a filling meal to feed your family or a dish to impress guests at a dinner party, Beef Lasagna is the perfect choice.
The beef filling in this dish is made with ground beef, which is browned and simmered in a mixture of spices and vegetables, such as onions, garlic, and peppers. This mixture is then mixed with a flavorful tomato sauce and layered with cooked lasagna noodles to create the dish. The lasagna is then topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese, which gives the dish its creamy and delicious flavor. Uh, don’t panic, Just read the instructions bellow one by one to avoid overwhelm.
The good thing is, Beef Lasagna is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. You can add additional ingredients, such as mushrooms, spinach, or ricotta cheese, to make it even more delicious. Plus, you can adjust the level of spice or choose a mild or spicy tomato sauce to suit your taste preferences.
When making Beef Lasagna, it is important to use high-quality ingredients for the best results. Choose fresh, ripe vegetables and tender cuts of meat, and use a good-quality tomato sauce for the best flavor. I used regular tomato here but I noticed that using canned tomatoes gives it a better consistency in taste. Be sure to cook the lasagna meat sauce low and slow so that the flavors have time to develop and meld together.
Why not give it a try today and taste the bold and delicious flavors of Italy!
Trivia: Lasagna did not originate in Italy as you may expect. It’s origin can be traced waaaayyy back to Ancient Greece. The name Lasagna, or “Lasagne” is derived from the Greek word ‘Laganon’; the first know form of pasta.
Easy Cheesy Beef Lasagna Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 pack lasagna (1/2 kilo approx) -cook according to box instructions with 1 tbsp salt
- 1 box cheddar cheese, grated (for toppings)
- Meat Sauce
- White Sauce
Meat Sauce:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 8 cloves of garlic
- 1 kl ground beef
- 5 tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 L Del Monte Cheesy Spaghetti Sauce
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- salt and pepper
In a big pan, add meat and let cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Turn off fire and transfer meat to drainer to remove oil. I use this oil strainer which works great! And you can also collect the oil for use later on this used cooking oil pot.
In the same pan, saute onion and garlic. Add tomatoes and cook till wilted. Add back drained ground beef. Add tomato sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Simmer for a minimum of 5 minutes (or cook low and slow!) and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Cheddar Cheese Sauce Recipe
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) Butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 5 cups milk
- 1 box (185g) cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 egg whisked
- a pinch of chili powder
Make a roux by heating butter in a pan and slowly adding the flour. Cook off the flour gently and whisk continuously. Add milk slowly while continuing to whisk the sauce. Allow to simmer. Pour egg gently while still whisking so egg will be incorporated. Add grated cheese and allow to bubble till cheese is melted.
Note: If this is too much for you and you don’t have time, you can use the Clare Ole Bechamel Sauce instead of the Cheddar Cheese Sauce. Follow Bechamel instructions on the pouch. Just add cheese on top as usual on assembly.
Assembly:
- In an aluminum pan (or pyrex), put on a light coat of butter. Arrange the pasta sheets, then top with white sauce and meat sauce alternately. The last layer should have the cheese sauce on top, then sprinkle the cheese for topping.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes (or until bubbly and cheese is on top is melted and golden brown.
