🇮🇹🍝 Lasagna alla Bolognese – The Italian Classic Done Right

This is not your average lasagna — it’s the real-deal Lasagna alla Bolognese, layered with rich ragù, creamy béchamel, and tender pasta sheets. No ricotta here — just deeply savory, slow-cooked goodness straight from Emilia-Romagna.

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🍅 Ingredients:

(Serves 6–8)

🥩 For the Ragù Bolognese:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 500g (1 lb) ground beef (or a mix of beef + pork)
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 (14 oz / 400g) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• Salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg
• Bay leaf (optional)
• Simmer low & slow: 1.5–2 hours

🥛 For the Béchamel Sauce:

• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3 cups whole milk, warm
• Salt, white pepper, nutmeg

🍝 Other layers:

• Lasagna noodles (fresh or no-boil are ideal)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

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👨‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Make the Ragù:

• In a large pot, heat olive oil, then sauté onion, carrot, celery until soft (about 10 mins).
• Add garlic, then ground meat. Brown and break it up.
• Pour in wine, simmer until evaporated.
• Add milk, simmer until absorbed.
• Stir in tomatoes, paste, season with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and bay leaf.
• Simmer uncovered on low for 1.5–2 hours, stirring occasionally.

2. Make the Béchamel:

• Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour to form a roux.
• Slowly add warm milk, whisking constantly until smooth.
• Simmer 5–7 mins until thickened.
• Season with salt, white pepper, and a hint of nutmeg.

3. Assemble the Lasagna:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Layer in a 9×13″ baking dish (or similar):

1. Thin layer of ragù
2. Layer of noodles
3. Ragù
4. Béchamel
5. Sprinkle of Parmesan

➡️ Repeat until you’ve used everything (about 3–4 layers).
Finish with béchamel and a generous layer of Parmesan on top.

4. Bake:

• Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
• Uncover and bake another 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
• Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing (essential for clean cuts!).

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🧀 Serve with:

• A simple green salad
• Crusty bread or garlic focaccia
• A glass of red wine (Sangiovese, anyone?)

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💡 Tips:

✔️ Use fresh pasta if you can — it melds beautifully with the sauces
✔️ Make both sauces a day ahead for deeper flavor
✔️ Freezes like a dream — great for meal prep or make-ahead dinners

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Layered with love and rooted in tradition, Lasagna alla Bolognese is a masterpiece of comfort food. Want a shortcut version or gluten-free take? I got you!

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