In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown ground beef and Italian sausage over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess fat. Add chopped onions and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
While the sauce simmers, prepare the béchamel sauce. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, until smooth. Gradually whisk in milk until there are no lumps. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Arrange a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce, overlapping as needed. Spread half of the ricotta cheese over the noodles, followed by a layer of meat sauce, a layer of béchamel sauce, and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.
Repeat layers: noodles, remaining ricotta cheese, meat sauce, béchamel sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Top with a final layer of noodles, meat sauce, béchamel sauce, and a generous amount of mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
Good, solid lasagna. The instructions were clear. I might add some mushrooms to the sauce next time for added texture.
The sauce was a little bland, and the noodles were a bit overcooked. I'll try a different recipe next time. The cheese layer was fine.
Really enjoyed this recipe! The meat sauce was hearty and flavorful. I used fresh herbs, and it made a big difference. The cheese was perfectly melted.
I wasn't a fan. The sauce was too sweet for me, and the lasagna noodles were mushy. Maybe I didn't cook them right.
This recipe is a keeper! The lasagna turned out beautifully, and everyone loved it. The béchamel sauce was really creamy. Great recipe!
