How to make a classic lasagne

Nothing says comfort food like a classic lasagne. It’s great for feeding a crowd, freezes well, and the leftovers will keep you happy for days.

With rich ragu, tender pasta and a golden, bubbling cheese crust, it delivers on the three pillars of good Italian home cooking – and in just 90 minutes, to boot.

Cut corners at your peril – making the ragu and the bechemel from scratch is worth the extra elbow grease.

Classic lasagne

A classic Italian dish – great for lunch or dinner.

Recipe by: Aldi

Serves: 4

Prep time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 70 minutes

Ingredients:

500g steak minced beef

1 large onion

1 stick celery

1 red pepper

2 cloves garlic

400g tin chopped tomatoes

2 tsp paprika

2 tsp pesto

1 tsp dried oregano

25g tomato puree

25ml olive oil

1 beef stock cube

6 sheets lasagne pasta

50g plain flour

60g butter

650ml semi skimmed milk

100g soft cheese

1 tsp English mustard

80g grated mature cheddar cheese

Sea salt, white and black pepper

Method:

Peel, halve and finely chop the onion. Peel and mince the garlic. Wipe the celery and finely chop. Finely chop the red pepper, discarding any pith or seeds.

Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions, garlic, pepper and the celery. Sauté for a few minutes, then add the mince and brown. Add the tinned tomatoes and crumble over the stock cube. Add the pesto, paprika, tomato purée, oregano and season with some salt and plenty of black pepper. Bring to the boil, then turn down to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, without a lid, stirring occasionally. Pre-heat the oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6.

Meanwhile, make the white sauce. In a medium saucepan melt the butter. Then add the flour and cook for a minute. Add the milk, white pepper and the mustard. Slowly bring to the boil, stirring as you cook. Turn down the heat and cook for a couple of minutes, then whisk in the soft cheese until you have a smooth, thick sauce.

Put half the meat mixture in the bottom of the dish, then lay 3 slices of the pasta on top in a line. Pour over half the white sauce. Sprinkle over half the grated cheese. Then repeat with the remaining ingredients. Bake in the oven for 40 minutes until browned.

For more recipe inspiration, visit www.aldi.co.uk/recipes