Few dishes capture the heart like a beautifully layered lasagna—rich, creamy, and baked until golden perfection. Whether it’s for a cozy family dinner or an elegant gathering, making lasagna at home allows you to customize every layer and savor the process as much as the result.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Meat Sauce:

• 500g minced beef (or a mix of beef and pork for richer flavor)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 400g canned tomatoes or tomato purée
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Béchamel (White Sauce):

• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp plain flour
• 3 cups (750ml) milk, warmed
• Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Other Layers:

• 250g lasagna sheets (fresh or dried)
• 2 cups (200g) grated mozzarella
• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan

Step-by-Step Method

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic and minced meat; cook until browned.
4. Add tomato paste, canned tomatoes, oregano, and basil.
5. Simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes until thickened. Season to taste.

2. Make the Béchamel Sauce

1. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Stir in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw taste.
3. Gradually whisk in warm milk until smooth.
4. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

3. Assemble the Lasagna

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom of a baking dish.
3. Place lasagna sheets to cover the sauce.
4. Spread more meat sauce, then a layer of béchamel, followed by a sprinkle of mozzarella.
5. Repeat layers until ingredients are used, ending with béchamel on top.
6. Sprinkle generously with Parmesan.

4. Bake to Perfection

• Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake another 20 minutes until top is golden and bubbling.
• Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing—this helps the layers set beautifully.

Tips for the Best Homemade Lasagna

• Use fresh herbs for a brighter flavor if available.
• Let the lasagna rest before serving—it holds shape better.
• For extra depth, add a splash of red wine to the meat sauce while cooking.

A well-made lasagna isn’t just dinner—it’s a warm hug in a dish. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can experiment with variations, from spinach and ricotta vegetarian layers to indulgent seafood versions.