Description
Lasagna al Forno is a rich and authentic Italian dish featuring layers of fresh pasta, savory meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and melted cheese. This comforting, oven-baked classic is perfect for family gatherings and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- Fresh lasagna sheets
- 1 lb ground beef or pork
- 4 oz pancetta
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz canned San Marzano tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add pancetta and cook until slightly crisp.
- Add finely chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté until softened.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add ground beef or pork, breaking it apart with a spoon, and brown evenly.
- Pour in red wine and let it reduce for a few minutes.
- Stir in tomato paste and canned tomatoes, breaking the tomatoes up with a spoon.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and a bay leaf. Simmer for at least an hour, stirring occasionally.
Prepare the Béchamel Sauce:
- In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook for a minute until golden.
- Gradually add warm milk, whisking continuously until smooth.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Continue stirring until thickened.
Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce.
- Add a layer of lasagna sheets, followed by more meat sauce, béchamel, and grated Parmesan.
- Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with béchamel and mozzarella on top.
Bake the Lasagna:
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Vegetarian Version – Replace meat sauce with a mix of sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and ricotta.
- Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free pasta sheets and a flour substitute for the béchamel.
- Extra Cheesy – Add ricotta between the layers for extra creaminess.
- Seafood Lasagna – Swap meat for shrimp, scallops, and a white wine sauce.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: italian
Keywords: Italian lasagna, lasagna al forno, homemade lasagna, baked pasta, traditional Italian recipe