Ultimate Bolognese Lasagna
Indulge in a luxurious blend of rich flavors with our Ultimate Bolognese Lasagna. This dish features a hearty ragu sauce simmered to perfection, combining the savory goodness of hot Italian sausage, lean ground beef, and aromatic vegetables. Unlike traditional lasagnas that rely on ricotta cheese, this recipe utilizes a creamy white sauce, creating a smooth and decadent experience in every bite. The ragu sauce can be prepared ahead of time, allowing you to assemble this delicious meal in no time. Perfect for family gatherings or special occasions, this lasagna is guaranteed to impress everyone at the table. Dive into layers of béchamel, bold bolognese, and tender pasta for a mouthwatering culinary delight that will have you coming back for seconds!
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
2 tablespoons (melted)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Onion
1 (finely chopped)
Carrots
2 (finely chopped)
Celery ribs
2 (finely chopped)
Garlic cloves
4 (finely chopped)
Hot Italian sausage
3 links (casings removed)
Lean ground beef
1 lb (browned)
Ground lean pork
4 ounces (browned)
Dry white wine
1/2 cup (for deglazing)
Crushed plum tomatoes
28 ounces (canned)
Beef stock
3-4 cups (as needed)
Heavy cream
1/4 cup (or 1/2 & 1/2)
No-boil lasagna noodles
12 (uncooked)
Fresh parmesan cheese
3/4 cup (grated)
Butter
1/4 cup (for béchamel)
All-purpose flour
1/2 cup (for béchamel)
Milk
3 3/4 cups (heated)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the Bolognese Sauce. In a large sauté pan, brown the ground beef, ground pork, and sausage over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess grease.
2
Add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Sauté the chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery until they are softened, around 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3
Pour in the dry white wine, stirring to combine, and allow to simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
4
Add the crushed plum tomatoes along with 1 cup of beef stock. Bring to a boil, stirring well. Once boiling, lower the heat, cover the pan partially with a lid, and let it simmer gently for about 2 hours. Stir occasionally, adding more beef stock as needed to maintain a saucy consistency.
5
After two hours, stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes, stirring frequently.
6
If you wish, you can serve this sauce over thick pasta at this point. If you continue with the lasagna, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If the Bolognese sauce is cold, reheat it and stir in enough stock to ensure it has a runny consistency.
7
For the béchamel sauce, in a separate medium saucepan, melt 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour, cooking for 1-2 minutes until bubbly.
8
Gradually whisk in the heated milk, ensuring no lumps form, and bring to a gentle boil. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens and is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat.
9
In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread 1/3 of the Bolognese sauce across the bottom. Top it with 1/4 of the béchamel sauce and place 4 sheets of lasagna noodles on top.
10
Repeat the layering process two more times, ensuring to finish with the remaining béchamel sauce on the top layer. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
11
Bake the lasagna in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the pasta is tender when pierced with a fork. Let it stand for 20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Ultimate Bolognese Lasagna unique?
This recipe features a rich ragu with hot Italian sausage and a creamy béchamel sauce instead of the traditional ricotta cheese.
Does this lasagna recipe use ricotta cheese?
No, this recipe utilizes a creamy white (béchamel) sauce to create a smooth and decadent experience.
What types of meat are used in the Bolognese sauce?
The sauce combines lean ground beef, ground lean pork, and hot Italian sausage.
How long does the Bolognese sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer gently for about 2 hours, plus an additional 30 minutes after adding the heavy cream.
What kind of wine is recommended for this recipe?
A dry white wine is used to deglaze the pan and add depth to the sauce.
Can I use regular lasagna noodles?
The recipe specifies using 12 no-boil lasagna noodles for easier assembly.
What temperature should the oven be for baking?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) before baking the lasagna.
How long does the lasagna take to bake?
The lasagna should bake for 40-45 minutes until the pasta is tender.
Why should the lasagna stand for 20 minutes after baking?
Letting it rest allows the flavors to meld and makes it easier to slice.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to yield 6 servings.
Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
Yes, the ragu sauce can be prepared ahead of time to make assembly faster.
What are the ingredients for the béchamel sauce?
The white sauce is made from 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, and 3 3/4 cups of heated milk.
How many layers are in this lasagna?
The process involves repeating the layering of sauce and noodles three times.
What vegetables are included in the aromatic base?
The recipe uses finely chopped onion, carrots, celery ribs, and garlic cloves.
What should I do if the Bolognese sauce is too thick?
You can stir in more beef stock as needed to maintain a runny, saucy consistency.
Is there a substitute for heavy cream?
You can use half & half as a lighter substitute for the heavy cream.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
The top layer is finished with 3/4 cup of grated fresh Parmesan cheese.
Should the milk for the white sauce be cold or hot?
The milk should be heated before gradually whisking it into the flour and butter mixture.
What size baking dish is required?
A 9x13 inch baking dish is the recommended size for this recipe.
What kind of canned tomatoes are best?
The recipe calls for 28 ounces of crushed plum tomatoes.
Can I serve the Bolognese sauce with something else?
Yes, the sauce can be served over thick pasta instead of being layered into a lasagna.
How do I prepare the hot Italian sausage?
The casings should be removed before browning the sausage in the pan.
Should the pan be covered while the sauce simmers?
The pan should be partially covered with a lid during the initial 2-hour simmer.
What is the first step in assembling the lasagna?
Start by spreading 1/3 of the Bolognese sauce across the bottom of the baking dish.
How do I check if the lasagna is done?
The lasagna is ready when the pasta is tender when pierced with a fork.
Do I need to drain the meat after browning?
Yes, you should drain the excess grease after browning the beef, pork, and sausage.
How long do I cook the flour and butter for the béchamel?
Whisk the flour into the melted butter and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbly before adding milk.
What is the role of beef stock in this recipe?
Beef stock is used to provide moisture and flavor to the sauce, added both during simmering and assembly.
Is there any oil used in the cooking process?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used for sautéing the aromatic vegetables.
What is the final layer of the lasagna?
The final layer consists of the remaining béchamel sauce topped with grated Parmesan cheese.