What is Béchamel Sauce?
Béchamel sauce, also known as white sauce, is a traditional French sauce made from butter, flour, and milk. It adds a rich and creamy element to various dishes, including lasagna. With a silky smooth texture and subtle flavors, béchamel sauce complements the hearty layers of lasagna beautifully.
Ingredients:
- Lasagna noodles
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- A pinch of grated nutmeg
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and cook until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for about a minute until a smooth paste, or roux, forms.
5. Gradually add the milk to the roux, whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. Cook the mixture until it thickens and comes to a gentle simmer. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of grated nutmeg for extra flavor.
6. Grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Begin assembling the lasagna layers by spreading a thin layer of béchamel sauce on the bottom of the dish.
7. Place a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce, followed by a layer of the ground beef tomato sauce. Sprinkle grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
8. Repeat the layers until you run out of noodles and sauce, ensuring that the topmost layer is covered with a generous amount of béchamel sauce and cheese.
9. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
10. Once cooked, let the lasagna rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the layers to settle and makes it easier to cut into clean portions.
Enjoy your homemade baked lasagna with béchamel sauce, a comfort food favorite that’s sure to impress friends and family alike!