Lasagne al Forno
baked pasta with meat ragu, ricotta and parmesan cheese
Serves 8
1 pound lasagne sheets
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
FOR THE BECHAMEL SAUCE
1/4 cup butter, unsalted
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 pound ricotta cheese
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
FOR THE MEAT RAGU
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1/3 pound each of ground beef, pork and veal
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 cups tomato puree
1 cup red wine
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1) pre-heat the oven to 375. butter two 8-inch square pans
2) cook the lasagne sheets as directed on the package, drain and set aside to dry on paper towels
3) for the bechamel sauce, melt the butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat. stir in the flour, and gradually whisk in the milk. bring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until thick. remove from the heat, add the ricotta and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
4) for the meat ragu, heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat, add the onions, garlic, carrots, celery and cook until soft. stir in the ground meat and cook until brown. Stir in the tomato paste, puree, red wine, herbs and salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until thick. Taste for seasoning. Set aside.
5) To assemble, ladle a little ragu over the bottom of a prepared pan.
6) Place a layer of lasagne on top of the ragu and cover with 1/4 of the bechamel.
7) Add a layer of lasagne, ragu, lasagne, 1/4 bechamel, lasagne, ragu and cover the top with 1/4 cup parmesan.
8) Repeat the same process with the second prepared pan.
9) Bake the lasgne for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes before serving.
). I'm going down in two weeks but it's not on this years menu 
Can anyone help me out?
I can't wait to make it tomorrow. Thanks a million.....
