A mouth-watering lasagne is the perfect dish to savour at the end of a long day, establishing itself as a much-loved classic in homes across the nation.
As we embrace the cooler months, comfort food is back on the menu, with many seeking out hearty, home-cooked dishes that are simple to throw together for a weeknight feast.
Despite its potential complexity, BBC Good Food’s “easiest ever” lasagne recipe simplifies the process, inviting culinary novices and seasoned home chefs alike to master this quintessential Italian dish.
Essential to lasagne are its building blocks: pasta, ragu, and sauce and its vital to nail these basics.
Boasting a mere 15 minutes prep time and 25 to 30 minutes of cooking, the lasagne’s allure is undeniable.
“Kids will love to help assemble this easiest-ever pasta bake with streaky bacon, beef mince, a creme fraiche sauce and gooey mozzarella,” the guide entices, reports the Mirror.
Raising the bar on an already delectable delight, incorporating bacon into the ragu for depth of flavour, along with a generous topping of mozzarella and parmesan cheese, will make your lasagne irresistibly sumptuous.
Method
To whip up this easy classic dish, start by heating oil in a large pan, chopping the bacon into small chunks and adding it in.
After a few minutes, toss in the onion, celery and carrot, and let them cook over medium heat for five minutes, giving them an occasional stir until they soften. Then, add the garlic and leave it for another minute.
The next step involves adding the mince to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon and letting it brown for about six minutes.
Once browned, stir in the tomato puree and let it cook for a minute, ensuring its well combined with the beef and vegetables.
Add the chopped tomatoes next. To ensure none are wasted, rinse each can with half a can of water and pour this into the pan.
Sweeten with honey and season to taste before letting it simmer for 20 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Assemble the lasagne by spreading some of the ragu sauce at the bottom of a roasting tin or casserole dish.
Layer two sheets of lasagne on top, overlapping if necessary, then repeat with more sauce and another layer of pasta.
Continue this process for two more layers, finishing with a layer of pasta.
In a bowl, thin out the creme fraiche with two tablespoons of water until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. Drizzle this over the pasta, then top with mozzarella.
Sprinkle generously with Parmesan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden and bubbling. Garnish with basil leaves to finish.
Food enthusiasts were eager to try this straightforward yet delicious recipe, with one fan exclaiming: “Followed the recipe to the letter and it turned out amazing. Best tasting lasagne I’ve ever had!”
Another chimed in with their approval, stating: “Nice, really yummy and family loved it.”
