
Prepare the meat sauce: In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess fat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Make the béchamel sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, until a smooth paste forms (a roux). Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
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, overlapping as needed. Spread half of the ricotta cheese over the noodles, followed by a layer of meat sauce, a drizzle of béchamel sauce, and a sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, ending with a final layer of noodles, meat sauce, béchamel sauce, and a generous amount of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the lasagna is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown. Let stand for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
This is an excellent recipe. The béchamel is the star! Very impressive and so tasty. Highly recommended, a true classic!
This is the best lasagna I've ever tasted. The combination of flavors is incredible. The cooking time was perfect, and everything was just right.
I found the sauce to be a bit too acidic. I think it needs a touch of sugar or a little more simmering time to mellow out the tomatoes. Not my favourite lasagna.
The lasagna was good, but it took a long time to prepare. The instructions were good, but I might look for a faster recipe next time.
This lasagna was fantastic! The layering instructions were easy to follow. I added a bit more garlic to the meat sauce, which I think made it even better. Great recipe!