Authentic Lasagna with Béchamel
Layered pasta with slow-cooked meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and melted mozzarella for a classic Italian comfort dish. This italian-inspired quick meals ready in about 70 minutes pairs lasagna sheets, ground beef, tomato sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna sheets
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook 12 lasagna sheets in boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a skillet, cook 1 chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add 1.5 lbs ground beef, 2 tbsp tomato paste, and 1/2 cup beef broth. Cook until browned, then stir in 2 cups tomato sauce.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, melt 2 tbsp butter, whisk in 2 tbsp flour, then gradually add 1/2 cup milk until thickened. Fold in 1 beaten egg and 1 cup grated parmesan. Spread sauce in a baking dish, layer lasagna sheets, béchamel, and mozzarella. Bake for 25 minutes until golden.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Lasagna with Béchamel take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (40 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Lasagna with Béchamel?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep lasagna sheets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Lasagna with Béchamel?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Lasagna with Béchamel for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Lasagna with Béchamel?
Italian quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
