Lasagne al forno.

classic recipe for Lasagna al Forno in English:

Ingredients:

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 pound (450g) ground beef
• 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage (mild or hot, based on your preference)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Bechamel Sauce:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the Lasagna:

• 12 lasagna noodles
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Start by making the meat sauce. In a large pot, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it up into smaller pieces with a spoon as it cooks. Once the meat is browned, drain any excess fat.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté for a few minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, basil, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
4. While the meat sauce is simmering, cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Drain and set them aside.
5. In a separate saucepan, prepare the bechamel sauce. Melt the butter over medium heat, then stir in the flour to create a smooth paste. Cook for a minute or two until the mixture becomes lightly golden.
6. Gradually whisk in the milk to the butter and flour mixture, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to cook and stir until the sauce thickens, which should take about 5-7 minutes.
7. Season the bechamel sauce with salt, pepper, and ground nutmeg to taste.
8. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
9. To assemble the lasagna, start by spreading a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Then, layer with lasagna noodles, a portion of the meat sauce, a portion of bechamel sauce, and a sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Repeat the layers until all the ingredients are used up, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.
10. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and the lasagna is bubbling.
11. Let the lasagna rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious Lasagna al Forno!