Prepare the meat sauce: In a large pot, brown ground beef and Italian sausage over medium-high heat. Drain any excess fat. Add diced onions, garlic, and cook until softened. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar. Simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Make the béchamel sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens, then stir in grated Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Assemble the lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Top with a layer of lasagna noodles, followed by ricotta cheese, béchamel sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers, ending with a layer of meat sauce, béchamel, and mozzarella cheese on top.
Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the lasagna is heated through. Let stand for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired. Serve warm with a side salad and garlic bread.
Fantastic! This lasagna was so rich and flavorful. Perfect for a special occasion. I added a little bit of nutmeg to the béchamel, which was a nice touch.
This lasagna was fantastic. The layers were well-defined, and the flavors were balanced. I added a touch more oregano to the meat sauce, which I think enhanced it. Great recipe!
It was good, but not amazing. The pasta was a little overcooked for my liking. The meat sauce was flavorful, but I think it could use a bit more acidity. Overall, a decent lasagna.
The lasagna was excellent. I followed the recipe almost exactly. It was a little time consuming, but the result was worth it. The béchamel sauce was superb!
The lasagna was okay. Not the best I've ever had, but not the worst either. The sauce could use a bit more depth of flavor. Could also use a bit more cheese.
