Recipes › Pasta › Kims Lasagna Recipe

Kims Lasagna Recipe

Recipe by Pedro M. A. Neves

Kims Lasagna Recipe is a rich, layered baked pasta dish combining tender sheets of pasta with a robust ragù of ground beef and pork, creamy béchamel sauce, and melted cheese. This classic Italian comfort food delivers deep, savory flavors with each forkful and remains a beloved centerpiece for family dinners and celebrations.

Ingredients

• 500g ground beef
• 250g ground pork
• 150g pancetta, finely diced
• 2 medium onions, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 400ml whole milk
• 60g butter
• 50g all-purpose flour
• 250ml beef broth
• 150ml dry red wine
• 400g canned crushed tomatoes
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 500g fresh lasagna sheets or dried lasagna noodles
• 300g Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
• 200g fresh mozzarella, torn into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add diced pancetta and cook until fat renders and pancetta begins to crisp, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Add chopped onions and cook until softened and translucent, approximately 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

3. Increase heat to high and add ground beef and ground pork to the pot. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until completely browned, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain excess fat if needed.

4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to caramelize slightly. Pour in red wine and use a wooden spoon to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits. Simmer until wine reduces by half, approximately 3-4 minutes.

5. Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, bay leaves, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld.

6. Prepare béchamel sauce: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour to form a smooth paste (roux), cooking for 1-2 minutes while stirring constantly to avoid lumps.

7. Slowly pour warm milk into the roux while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking and stirring until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, approximately 5-7 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

8. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Spread a thin layer of ragù sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer 3-4 lasagna sheets, then spread ragù sauce, then béchamel sauce, then sprinkle Parmigiano-Reggiano and mozzarella pieces.

9. Repeat layering process, ending with a final layer of pasta sheets topped with béchamel sauce and remaining grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and mozzarella. The top should be completely covered with cheese and sauce.

10. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until top is golden brown and cheese is bubbly around the edges. Let rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

Substitutions

• Use 750g ground beef only if pork is unavailable, adjusting saltiness as needed
• Substitute whole milk with half-and-half or light cream for richer béchamel
• Replace fresh lasagna sheets with dried noodles, boiling according to package directions before layering
• Use Pecorino Romano in place of Parmigiano-Reggiano for a more peppery flavor

Tips

• Ensure meat is completely cooked and ragù is sufficiently thickened before layering to prevent watery lasagna
• Warm the milk before adding to the roux to achieve a smooth béchamel without lumps
• Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes after baking before cutting; this helps layers set and makes portioning easier
• For best results, use freshly grated cheese rather than pre-grated, as it melts more smoothly and evenly

Lasagna alla Bolognese is a treasured dish from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, particularly Bologna. Traditional preparation involves slow-cooked ragù and homemade béchamel, reflecting the Italian commitment to quality ingredients and patient cooking methods that build deep, complex flavors.

You might also like

Lasagna Alfredo Recipe

75 min · Pasta

Lasagna Casserole Recipe

75 min · Pasta

Lasagna Muffins Recipe

53 min · Pasta

Lasagna Spirals Recipe

80 min · Pasta