Lasagne recipe please?

[nightowl]

I had a terrible fancy for Lasagne last night I bought a frozen one It was alright-ish I thought I might have a go at making it myself I don't have cookery books

Anyone got an idiot-proof recipe for a Lasagne for me to try (not veggie) or the name of a good website?

[Deleted]

I guess you make Spag Bol NO.... yes, good, half way there then ;D and you can make cheese sauce?

It should really be made with bechamel sauce, but I can't be bothered messing about making that, so what I do is ....

make a spag bol using 1lb mince, make a cheese sauce using 1 pint of milk; then spread a layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a shallow oblong dish at least 2" deep, then a thinnish layer of sauce followed by enough sheets of the "no need to precook" lasagne to cover; repeat finishing with a layer of sauce, then some grated Parmesan. Bake 200c or 180c fan, gas mark 6 for about 25 minutes, allow to stand for 10 minutes before serving.

HTH

[Amo]

AND, a little secret of mine here, when you're over run with courgettes later in the year, replace the lasagne sheets with slices of courgettes instead. Bit like an Italianesque Mousaka and it freezes well. ;D

[Plocket]

This is how I make mine:

For 4 people:

For the meat sauce:
440g packet of lean minced beef
1 onion, finely sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 packet of brown mushrooms, finely sliced
1 tin tomatoes chopped
2 glasses red wine
mixed dried herbs
pepper
For the white sauce:
1oz butter
1 heaped teaspoon plain flour
1/2 teaspoon English mustard
1/2 pint milk (maybe more)
1/2 packet grated cheese - I like Red Leicester but it depends on what is in the fridge!
Lasagne sheets (get the ones that don't need pre-cooking)

Put a tiny bit of oil in the bottom of a saucepan and fry the finely chopped onions with a lid on to retain the moisture. Stir regularly then add the garlic when the onions are translucent. Add the mince and stir to brown slightly. Add the tin of chopped tomatoes and stir in well. Then add the mushrooms and red wine. Leave to simmer and reduce a little (without the lid on) then add the herbs and season with salt and pepper if required.

When the meat sauce is ready, make the cheese sauce: melt the butter in a pan then remove from the heat and stir in the flour. When you have a smooth paste add the mustard then the milk a tiny bit at a time and stir well to remove lumps. When all the milk is added return to the heat and stir continuously until the sauce thickens. Add the cheese and heat gently until you have a smooth sauce.

Layer up the lasagne with meat first, then the pasta sheets, then cheese. Don't overlap the pasta if you can help it. Repeat the layers finishing with a generous layer of cheese sauce. You can top this with more cheese if you want.

You can either freeze this, or chill it. But when the time comes I put it in a pre-heated medium oven (say 160 degrees) for about 40-45 minutes.

[Plocket]

Oh crumbs - I forgot something - I also put a tablespoon (approx) of tomato puree into the meat sauce

[nightowl]

Thanks plocket, rita and amo

[Shrubrose]

Wont add to the list of recipes posted so far - they all look totally scrumptious BTW - but could I add just a little ingredient? When you're doing the sauce - add a teaspoon of nutmeg. Believe it or not, gives it something extra delicious

[Plocket]

I like the sound of that Shrubby - I'll try and remember that the next time I make lasagne. I'm going to try it with courgette too

[Deleted]

I would say definetely add mustard to the cheese sauce. Also try some chopped bacon to the mince. Lasagne verdi (the green stuff) gives it a bit of a different taste for a change.

[Shrubrose]

Jun 23, 2008 17:54:19 GMT Plocket said:

I like the sound of that Shrubby - I'll try and remember that the next time I make lasagne. I'm going to try it with courgette too

Let me know what you think P, would you? We like it - actually, OH hasn't sussed out what my 'secret' ingredient is and I wont tell him. Shame he's not a member isn't it? ;D

[Missredhead]

Shame on you Shrub....... ;D

[Shrubrose]

I know but us laydees have to have a bit of mystery dont we? ;D

[Plocket]

I must admit that if I wanted mystery it wouldn't be to hide what a secret ingredient is!!! ;D

[Deleted]

I make my bol like you P without the mushrooms (OH can't stand them) but I also add 1 beef oxo crumbled, I use dried oregano rather than mixed herbs, a couple of bay leaves and crushed garlic rather than chopped. Garlic imparts more flavour when crushed btw.

[MamIDdau]

I don't use mushrooms in mine cos I don't like them. I also put a bit or worcestershire sauce in mine.

I also don't bother making the white sauce anymore, too much faffing so just use a packet mix ;D

[isabella]

When I have browned the meat I add 1/4pt full cream milk and then cook it away before adding the rest of the ingredients I don't usually use red wine as OH isn't keen on wine in cooking