Golden Lasagna Casserole Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Lasagna:

• 12 lasagna noodles
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the Béchamel Sauce:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions:

Prepare the Meat Sauce:

1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Prepare the Béchamel Sauce:

1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the flour until smooth.
3. Gradually whisk in the milk until the sauce is smooth and thickened.
4. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Assemble the Lasagna:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
4. Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
5. Layer lasagna noodles, meat sauce, ricotta cheese mixture, and béchamel sauce, repeating until all ingredients are used.
6. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
8. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
9. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best Lasagna:

• Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh herbs and good quality cheese will make a big difference in the flavor of your lasagna.
• Don’t overcook the noodles: Cook the noodles just until they are al dente. Overcooked noodles will become mushy.
• Don’t skimp on the cheese: Cheese is a key ingredient in lasagna. Use a generous amount of both mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
• Let it rest: Before cutting into the lasagna, let it rest for 10 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld and make it easier to cut.

Enjoy this classic Italian dish with a modern twist!