Lasagna al forno

1 h
Lasagna al forno

Craving a taste of Italy? Get your fill with our mouth-watering lasagna al forno recipe. This traditional dish is packed with delicious layers of meat sauce, cheesy mornay sauce, and tender lasagna sheets. Just one bite and you will be transported to a trattoria in Italy. So, put on your stretchy pants and dig in! We serve the lasagna al forno with a fresh tomato salad to complement the rich and decadent flavours of the hearty pasta dish.

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Ingredients

Meat sauce

Butter
25 g
Minced beef (approx. 6% fat)
500 g
Chopped yellow onion (approx. 100 g)
1
Coarse salt
1 tsp
Freshly ground pepper
Dried thyme or basil
1 tsp
Dried oregano
½ tsp
Concentrated tomato purée (approx. 140 g)
1 can
Beef stock
150 ml

Mornay sauce 

Butter
25 g
Wheat flour
3½ tbsp
Boiled milk
600 ml
Coarse salt
½ tsp
Freshly ground white pepper
Grated nutmeg
½
Grated cheddar and maasdam cheese
175 g
Pre-cooked, dried lasagne sheets (approx. 250 g)
15
Breadcrumbs
2 tbsp
Butter
25 g

For serving

Tomato salad

Instructions

Meat sauce

  • Melt butter in a pan until golden. Brown meat and onion until the meat crumbles and changes colour.
  • Add spices, tomato purée, and stock. Let the sauce cook over low heat with a lid on top for approx. 10 minutes.

Mornay sauce

  • Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed pot. Add flour and mix it well.
  • Stir in half the milk. Bring the sauce to a boil and add the rest of the milk little by little.
  • Add spices and cheese. Let the sauce cook through until the cheese has melted. Season to taste.
  • Layer meat sauce, lasagne sheets, and mornay sauce in a greased ovenproof dish. Finish with mornay sauce on top.
  • Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and spread dollops of butter on top. Bake the lasagna in the middle of the oven until the surface is golden, for about 35 minutes at 200°C (regular oven).
  • Cover the lasagne and let it rest on the kitchen counter for approx. 10 minutes.
Enjoy!

Tips

Italian cuisine is all about using the freshest and best ingredients possible. Thus, make sure you use high-quality pasta, meat, cheese, and herbs for the best flavour. The filling is one of the most important parts of the lasagne, and if you want to get the most out of the flavours, let the meat sauce simmer for 2-3 hours – or more even.

Tips

Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the lasagna and your oven, which is why it is important to keep an eye on it, so it does not overcook. Once it is done, let it rest for a few minutes before cutting into it. This allows the lasagna al forno enough time to set, making for an even better result even though you probably cannot wait to dig in.

Questions about lasagna al forno

Learn how to make one of the most popular and well-known pasta dishes in the world. Our authentic Italian lasagna recipe gives you a taste of the hearty classic with rich flavours and textures. Read below to learn more about lasagna al forno and how to succeed with the classic.

What is lasagna al forno?

Lasagna al forno is a traditional Italian sheet lasagna typically layered with meat or vegetables, cheese, and a white sauce. It is baked in the oven, hence the name ‘al forno’, which means ‘in the oven’ in Italian. The hearty dish is usually served as a main course and can be enjoyed all year round as a simple weeknight dinner or for a special occasion. It can be served with crusted bread, a green salad, tomato salad, or the like.

How to make Italian lasagna?

Start our homemade Italian lasagna recipe by making the meat sauce. Brown meat and onions in butter, add spices, tomato purée, and stock and let it simmer for about 10 minutes over low heat. Meanwhile, prepare the cheesy white sauce in a separate pot. Layer the meat sauce, lasagna sheets, and white sauce in a greased ovenproof dish, finishing with white sauce on top. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and butter and bake at 200°C for roughly 35 minutes. Let the lasagna al forno rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

How to make white sauce for lasagna?

For the white sauce, melt butter in a pot and mix with flour. Stir in half the milk and bring the sauce to a boil. Add the rest of the milk little by little before adding spices and cheese. Let the sauce cook through until the cheese has melted. Adjust the taste if needed.

How long will lasagna last in the fridge?

Lasagna al forno will last in the fridge for up to 4 days if stored in an airtight container. Let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to the fridge. If you are unsure whether it is still edible, check for signs of spoilage, such as mould and off odours, before consuming any leftovers.

How to reheat lasagna in the oven?

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Take the lasagna al forno out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Cover it with foil and bake it in the oven for 20-25 minutes until it is heated through. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. You may want to let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Can you freeze lasagna?

Lasagna al forno can sit in the freezer for up to 3 months. Prepare the lasagne according to the recipe and let it cool down completely. Wrap the dish tightly with foil – make sure there are no gaps – and place it in a suitably sized freezer bag before popping it into the freezer. If you portion the lasagna al forno beforehand, it will be easier to store and thaw for later consumption.

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Traditional Italian lasagna al forno

There is truly nothing more comforting than a hot, bubbling baked lasagna made from scratch with a homemade meat sauce and mornay sauce within alternating layers. We give you a taste of Italy with our recipe for authentic Italian lasagna made with basic ingredients and a few simple steps, so you can easily make it at home.

‘Al forno’ is Italian for ‘in the oven’ and refers to the traditional method of preparing and cooking lasagna. The high heat of the oven helps to blend the flavours, giving the lasagna a creamy and gooey texture with crisp edges and tender pasta that absorbs the flavours of the meat and mornay sauce.

You should also take a look at our Italian-inspired recipes for chicken spaghetti and tomato sauce, homemade cannelloni with spinach and mushrooms, and spaghetti carbonara with crispy bacon bits.

Make it simple and flavourful

Italian cuisine is known for its simplicity with natural flavours and fresh ingredients. Because of the few high-quality components used in this recipe and the traditional way of preparing it, lasagna al forno is a very simple and flavourful dish. Made with a few key ingredients that are layered together and baked in the oven, this simplicity allows the aromas of each ingredient to shine through and create a harmonious balance of rich and creamy flavours. The addition of breadcrumbs and butter on top of the lasagna creates a nice balance of textures and taste and adds a crispy crust on top of the lasagna al forno.

Homemade mornay sauce for lasagna

True to the classic Italian lasagna, this pasta dish is made with a homemade mornay sauce, a variation of white sauce that has been enriched with grated cheese and nutmeg. The sauce adds a layer of flavour to the dish with a nutty taste and a rich, velvety texture that complements the meat filling. The mornay sauce features a base of butter, flour, milk, seasoning, and grated cheese meant for melting perfectly in the oven, producing a thick, velvety white cheese sauce with deep flavours that helps bind the dish together.

Serve with a fresh tomato salad

Add a burst of freshness to the hearty lasagna al forno with a fresh and crisp tomato salad. The acidity and sweetness of ripe tomatoes complement the rich and creamy flavours of the lasagna while simultaneously providing a refreshing and light finish to the heavier meal. For a fresh tomato salad, cut ripe tomatoes and red onions into thin slices and toss with olives, salad cheese, and a simple dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.

Put a spin on a classic

Give the traditional Italian lasagna recipe a fresh spin with minced turkey or chicken instead of beef, or add mushrooms, bell peppers, or eggplant to the meat sauce for added flavour and texture. You can also ramp up the flavours by incorporating more fresh herbs and spices, like parsley, rosemary, or chilli flakes. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and put your spin on the classic lasagna al forno.

https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/lasagna-al-forno/