Lasagna (Lasagne)
Serves 8
Crowd Pleasers
Quick Dinners
Pasta
An old family classic! The microwave bechamél sauce twist, makes this old favourite much less time consuming.
Prep time – 45 min
Cook time - 60 min
plus resting time (before serving) – 10 min
Ingredients
Bolognese Sauce Ingredients
- 1kg beef mince
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large brown onions, diced
- 4 x 400g tins tomatoes
- 1 cup red wine
- 6 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon beef stock powder
- 2 -3 tablespoons soy sauce, to taste
- 2 – 3 tablespoons sugar, to taste
- 2 cups water
Microwave Béchamel Sauce Ingredients
- 1½ litres skim milk *I use long life UHT skim milk
- 150g butter
- 125g plain flour
- salt & pepper, to taste
Plus
- 1 x 375g pack fresh lasagne sheets, store bought
- 500g grated tasty cheese, for the top
Cooking Steps
1
To begin
Preheat your oven to 180°c (360°f)
Next to make bolognese sauce
Heat oil in a large, (about 4 litre capacity), pan or pot and sauté onions. Add mince and gently stir until mince is browned.
2
Add tinned tomatoes and 1 cup of the water and wine. Add beef stock powder, soy sauce and sugar. Simmer for about 10 minutes on a medium to high heat.
3
As sauce thickens, add the second cup of water and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes. Slightly cool before assembling with béchamel sauce and lasagne sheets (see below for instructions).
4
Microwave Béchamel Sauce Method
Melt butter in the microwave (be sure to use a microwave safe dish). Remove butter, stir in flour to make a paste and cook in the microwave for a further minute on high.
5
Add the milk to the butter/flour paste, whisking as you pour to thoroughly combine; return the mix to the microwave.
6
Cook on high, whisking milk liquid thoroughly every five minutes for about 15 minutes, until cooked – keep an eye on it. When the mix has thickened, (like thickened cream consistency), season with salt and pepper to taste.
7
To Assemble Lasagne
In a large oven proof roasting dish, layer half the bolognese sauce, cover this with a thin layer of the béchamel sauce mix, then add a layer of lasagne sheets.
Repeat this process, for a second layer bolognaise/béchemel layer.
Reserving about one third of the white sauce for the top and final layer.
Finish assembling with a final layer of lasagne sheets, béchemal sauce (only) and grated cheese, evenly sprinkled over the top.
8
To Cook Lasagne
Place lasagne in a preheated for 45 minutes, until top is bubbling and golden brown.
Remove lasagne and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
Serve with crusty garlic bread and salad.