Brian travels all the time and has to eat out a lot. While that sounds glamorous he is always missing home cooked meals. Luckily, he is married to me and I am more than happy to cook for him when he is home! Recently, he requested Lasagna Bolognese. I have made pasta Bolognese before but not lasagna. But as we know from other posts I loooove making different kinds of Lasagnas. They are great make ahead and freezer meals. Plus, Lasagna is great for a crowd!

Lasagna Bolognese

ingredients

• 3 Tbsp olive oil

• 4 oz pancetta finely chopped

• 1 yellow onion finely chopped, about 1 1/2 cups

• 1 carrot, finely chopped

• 1 celery rib, finely chopped

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1 bay leaf

• 1/2 tsp dried thyme

• 1 lb ground beef chuck, 85% lean

• 28 oz crushed tomatoes (or 1 can)

• 1/4 c white wine

• salt

• pepper

• 3/4 lb dried lasagna noodles

BECHAMEL SAUCE

• 4 Tbsp butter

• 1/4 c flour

• 2 1/2 c milk, warmed

• 1 1/4 c grated parmesean

instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a deep skillet or pot, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil.

3. Add in the pancetta over medium heat, stirring, until the pancetta is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high.

4. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, bay leaf and thyme and cook, stirring, until the veggies are softened, about 5 minutes; push to the side of the pan.

5. Add 1 Tbsp. of Olive Oil to the center of the pan and crumble in the ground beef; cook without stirring for 3 minutes. Break up the meat and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned, about 3 minutes. Then pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes.

6. Add the tomatoes and 2 cups water to the skillet; simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaf; season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat; let cool.

7. In a pot of boiling, salted water, add the remaining 1 tbsp. EVOO and the lasagna noodles. Cook, stirring, until al dente. Drain and transfer to a bowl of cold water.

BECHAMEL SAUCE

1. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute.

2. Whisk in the milk in a steady stream and simmer for 2 minutes, whisking. Remove from the heat, stir in 1 cup Parmesan and season with salt and pepper. Let cool, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming.

ASSEMBLY

1. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; add 3/4 of the cup meat sauce to coat. Add a layer of noodles, overlapping slightly. Top with 1 cup of the meat sauce, then a layer of noodles; add 1 cup of the bechamel, spreading to coat. Repeat the layers. Add a fifth layer of noodles and top with the remaining meat sauce; dollop with the remaining bechamel.

2. Cover with greased parchment, then wrap the pan with foil. Bake for 1 hour; uncover and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup parmesean. Bake for 15 minutes more. Loosen the foil; let stand for 30 minutes before slicing.