Lasagna with Meat and Cheese

Description:
This classic Italian comfort dish features layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and melted cheese. High in calories and flavor, it’s perfect for those looking to gain weight with rich, hearty meals.

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🕒 Total Time: 50 minutes

🍽️ Servings: 2

🔥 Calories per serving: ~720 kcal

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

• 200g (7 oz) ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 200ml (3/4 cup) canned crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Béchamel Sauce (White Sauce):

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, warm
• A pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For Assembly:

• 6 sheets of lasagna noodles (pre-cooked or oven-ready)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Optional: fresh basil or parsley for garnish

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🍳 Instructions

1. Make the Meat Sauce:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onions and sauté for 2–3 minutes until soft.
3. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles.
5. Stir in tomato paste, then add crushed tomatoes and seasoning.
6. Simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper.

2. Make the Béchamel Sauce:

1. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
3. Gradually add warm milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
4. Simmer and stir until thickened (about 3–4 minutes).
5. Season with a pinch of salt, pepper, and nutmeg (optional). Remove from heat.

3. Assemble the Lasagna:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. In a small baking dish, spread a spoonful of meat sauce on the bottom.
3. Layer 2 sheets of lasagna noodles over the sauce.
4. Spread 1/3 of the béchamel and 1/3 of the meat sauce over noodles. Sprinkle mozzarella.
5. Repeat layers (noodles → meat sauce → béchamel → cheese) until ingredients are used.
6. Top with Parmesan cheese.

4. Bake:

1. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
2. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbling.
3. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.

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💡 Tips:

• Use full-fat dairy for maximum creaminess and calories.
• You can add a layer of ricotta cheese for more richness.
• For even more calories, drizzle olive oil over the top before baking.