Best Lasagna Recipe with Bechamel

My best lasagna recipe uses bechamel sauce, beef bolognese and sausage for authentic Italian flavor! Make it for dinner or a holiday meal!

Last year I traveled throughout Italy and every where I went I gathered as many authentic recipes as I was given from people and chefs. So today I’m sharing with you my INCREDIBLE lasagna recipe. This is great to feed a crowd!

Lasagna is the epitome of comfort food, and it tastes so much better when it’s made from scratch.

Not only do homemade sauces create a bolder flavor, but you can easily adjust the ingredients so it tastes just how you’d like.

Try my Chicken Piccata or Italian Meatball Soup if you’re craving more delicious Italian meals.

Or, make a big batch of meat sauce and save the extra to make Creamy Polenta Bolognese.

Why this is the best lasagna recipe

Authentic Italian recipes for lasagna use white sauce instead of ricotta or cottage cheese. That is because it gives the dish a creamier and saucier texture.

Plus, layering the sauce with the shredded cheese helps it to melt smoother and get into all of the nooks and crannies.

Combine that with a spicy bolognese and tender noodles for an intense flavor you can only get when it’s homemade!

INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Note: This is just a partial list of ingredients. For the full ingredient list, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Tomato paste – This is great for when you’re short on time because it helps thicken the sauce. If you’ll be simmering the marinara low and slow, leave it out altogether.
• Crushed tomatoes – San Marzano tomatoes have a sweeter flavor and lower acidity, but you can easily substitute your favorite brand instead.
• Fresh basil – I highly recommend using fresh leaves if you can, but you can use about 2 teaspoons of dried basil in a pinch. Rub it between your palms before adding to the pot to make the flavor and fragrance bolder.
• Hot Italian sausage – Feel free to use Mild or Sweet instead to make the sauce less spicy. You can also use bulk sausage if you don’t want to deal with removing the casings.

Lasagna sauces

• Marinara sauce – Homemade spaghetti sauce is better than anything from a jar, and you can adjust the spices to suit your taste preferences. This will then be used to make the meat sauce.
• Bechamel for lasagna (white sauce) – Considered one of the five “mother sauces” in Italian cooking, this sauce can be used as a base for dozens of recipes.
• Sausage and beef bolognese sauce – For this recipe, I like to make the sauce on the stove while I work on everything else. You can also make bolognese in the slow cooker ahead of time, or do a big batch and save the rest for other dishes.

How to make lasagna step by step

Start by prepping all of your ingredients and making the three sauces needed for your beef and sausage lasagna.

Then, place the dry lasagna noodles in a baking dish and cover with hot water to soften them. Drain well and assemble as follows:

1. Grease a 9×13 baking dish or lasagna pan and spread a thin layer of bolognese on the bottom. Make a single layer of noodles, then add more meat sauce.
2. Next, spread some of the bechamel over the top.
3. Then, add a couple handfuls of mozzarella and parmesan, making sure to sprinkle it to the edges.
4. Add another layer of noodles on top of the cheese.

5. Continue until you have used up all of the ingredients to make 3 or 4 complete layers, ending with the shredded cheese on top.
6. Bake until warmed all the way through. The cheese should be browned and bubbly, but if it starts to burn you can put some foil on top.
7. Let the lasagna rest so it can firm up before slicing.

Recipe notes

• Shred cheese by hand: Because pre-bagged shreds contain a preservative to prevent clumping, the cheese has a waxy texture and doesn’t melt properly. Always use freshly grated cheese for a smoother recipe.
• Make ahead: All three lasagna sauces can be made in advance and refrigerated until you are ready to assemble. However, I would recommend putting the lasagna together just before baking for best results.
• Adjust servings: You can easily halve this recipe if needed. Or, double it so you have one for dinner and one to freeze for later!
• Storage and freezing: Keep leftover beef and sausage lasagna covered in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Or, wrap tightly in foil or transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Heat in the oven or microwave until warmed through. If it was frozen, leave the foil on while baking and remove just at the end so the cheese can get brown and bubbly.

Homemade Italian Lasagna recipe video

To see how easy this is to make, watch this quick video!

Homemade Italian Lasagna

My best lasagna recipe uses bechamel sauce, beef bolognese and sausage for authentic Italian flavor! Make it for dinner or a holiday meal!

4.67 from 15 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Resting Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 684kcal

Author: Kevin Is Cooking

Ingredients

Lasagna

• 12-14 regular lasagna noodles
• 1 lb mozzarella cheese shredded
• 8 oz parmesan cheese freshly grated

Marinara

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste (See Note 1)
• 1/2 cup dry red wine optional
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 28 oz crushed San Marzano tomatoes (See Note 2)
• 12 fresh basil leaves finely chopped

Bechamel Sauce

• 1/4 cup butter or oil, fat drippings
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/8 tsp kosher salt
• dash of white pepper
• 3 cups milk

Meat Sauce

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb Hot Italian sausages. casing removed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fennel seeds
• 2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 6 garlic cloves minced
• 1 large white onion chopped
• 1 batch of Marinara Sauce see above recipe

Instructions

Marinara Sauce

• In a large skillet, heat the oil over a medium-high flame and add the minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the wine (optional), tomato paste, sugar, dried oregano and salt and red pepper flakes, sauté for 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, stir and simmer until reduced slightly, about 20 minutes. In last 10 minutes of simmering, add the basil and stir. Season the sauce with more salt to taste.
• At this point you could leave it chunky or for a smooth sauce you could use a hand blender and puree or put in a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.

Bechamel Sauce (white sauce)

• Warm the milk in a saucepan or microwave in measuring cup.
• In a medium sauce pan melt equal parts butter and then the flour.
• Whisk the flour and butter together and allow to simmer on low to cook the flour 1-2 minutes. The lightest (white color) roux will be slightly puffed.
• Gradually add the warm milk and whisk to incorporate until a smooth sauce forms on low heat. Cook several minutes, sauce will thicken. Set aside.

Meat Sauce

• In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Add the fennel seeds and red pepper flakes. Saute for 30 seconds and add the onion. Continue cooking on medium-high heat until the onion is soft, 2 minutes. Add the garlic, stirring constantly for 30 seconds.
• Add the ground beef and sausage and brown meat over medium-high heat, breaking the meat apart into pieces with spoon. When cooked drain excess grease and transfer to food processor. Pulse several times until crumbly and nearly pureed.
• Return mixture to the skillet or Dutch oven and add the Marinara Sauce (recipe above). Stir to combine the meat and marinara sauce.
• Cover and allow the sauce to simmer for about 20 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally. Add 1 cup of water if it gets too thick and continue cooking to reduce.

Lasagna Noodles

• In a 9x13" baking dish add the dry lasagna noodles and cover with hot water. Allow to rest for 20 minutes. Drain into a large colander.

Assembly

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease the 9x13" baking dish with cooking spray.
• We will be making 3-4 layers of lasagna, so divide accordingly.
• Start by spreading some of the meat sauce on bottom of greased dish. Layer on top with 3 lasagna noodles or more to cover bottom.
• Spread more meat sauce over the noodles, followed by the Bechamel Sauce (recipe above), then mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, spreading all to the edges.
• Repeat this 3-4 times to use up all noodles, sauces and ending with cheeses on top.
• Bake for 30 minutes until top is golden brown and cheeses are bubbling. Allow the lasagna to rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

1. As this marinara recipe is written, the flavors are amazing, although if cooking this marinara low and slow (3-4 hour simmer), I would omit the tomato paste as this will thicken on it's own. I use it for when time is tight.
2. Per The Kitchn, San Marzano tomatoes are grown in the rich volcanic soil at the base of Mount Vesuvius, which gives them a sweet flavor and low acidity and they are coveted for their firm pulp, deep red color, easy to remove skin and low seed count. Feel free to use whatever brand you prefer. This recipe is good for 1 pound of cooked pasta.

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.

Nutrition

Calories: 684kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 1140mg | Potassium: 648mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 935IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 544mg | Iron: 3mg

Have you made this recipe? Let me know on InstagramTag @KevinIsCooking and hashtag me #keviniscooking!