Prepare the meat sauce: In a large pot, brown ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Drain any excess fat. Add diced onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Cook until softened. Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Make the béchamel sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and nutmeg.
Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Assemble the lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with a layer of lasagna noodles, overlapping as needed. Spread a layer of ricotta cheese over the noodles, followed by a layer of béchamel sauce and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers, ending with a layer of meat sauce, béchamel sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the lasagna is heated through.
Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Very good lasagna. I made a few adjustments to the seasoning in the meat sauce to suit my taste. The cheese was nicely browned. Would make again.
Best lasagna I've ever had! The balance of flavors was perfect. The meat sauce was rich and savory, and the cheese was perfectly melted. Highly recommended.
Very good, classic lasagna. The instructions were clear, and the results were delicious. I did add a little extra cheese because, well, cheese!
This is the best lasagna recipe I've found! The béchamel is so creamy and the meat sauce is so rich. Everyone loved it! Five stars!
It was good, but a bit bland. I think I'll try adding more herbs next time. The texture was perfect, though, and the layering instructions were clear.
