This Nigella Lasagne of Love recipe is made with onions, olive oil, milk, tomato puree, carrots, celery, garlic, pancetta, parsley, thyme, chilli flakes, minced beef, minced pork, red wine, beef stock, chopped tomatoes, sea salt flakes, bay leaves, milk, butter, flour, mozzarella, and Parmesan. It takes about 3 hours to prepare and serves 6 people.
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🧡 Why You’ll Love This Lasagne Of Love Recipe:
- Flavorful Layers: This lasagne boasts a rich meat sauce, infused with aromatic herbs, vegetables, and the depth of red wine, creating a symphony of flavors in each bite.
- Creamy Béchamel: The velvety smoothness of the homemade béchamel, generously laced with Parmesan, elevates every layer, adding a luxurious creaminess to the dish.
- Perfect Balance: With a careful balance of meat, vegetables, and dairy, this recipe achieves a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, satisfying even the most discerning palate.
- Comforting Warmth: Baked to golden perfection, this lasagne emerges from the oven with bubbling cheese and irresistible aromas, promising warmth and comfort with every serving.
- Crowd Pleaser: Whether for a cozy family dinner or a festive gathering, this lasagne of love never fails to impress, earning its place as a beloved favorite among all who taste it.
âť“ What Is Nigella Lasagne Of Love Recipe?
Nigella’s Lasagne of Love is a rich and indulgent Italian dish made with layers of hearty meat sauce, creamy bĂ©chamel, and tender lasagne sheets. It’s known for its comforting texture and savory taste, deriving its name from the affectionate feeling it evokes when shared with loved ones.
🥩 Nigella Lasagne Of Love Ingredients
FOR THE MEAT SAUCE
- 2 large-ish onions (approx. 350g / 2Âľ cups chopped)
- 3 – 4 x 15ml tablespoons olive oil
- 125 millilitres full fat milk
- 4 x 15ml tablespoons tomato puree
- 2 carrots (approx. 250g)
- 1 stick of celery
- 4 fat cloves of garlic
- 150 grams rindless pancetta (or bacon)
- A small bunch of flatleaf parsley (approx. 20g)
- 1 x 15ml tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- â…› teaspoon dried chilli flakes
- 350 grams minced beef
- 350 grams minced pork
- 250 millilitres red wine (good enough to drink) or red vermouth
- 500 millilitres beef stock
- 2 x 400 grams tins of chopped tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons Maldon sea salt flakes (or 1 teaspoon fine sea salt)
- 3 fresh bay leaves
FOR THE BÉCHAMEL
- Vegetable prep detritus from meat sauce, above
- 1 litre full fat milk plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon Maldon sea salt flakes (or ½ teaspoon fine sea salt)
- A good grinding of white pepper
- 2 fresh bay leaves
- 100 grams unsalted butter
- 100 grams plain flour
- 3 x 15ml tablespoons (approx. 40g) freshly grated Parmesan
FOR ASSEMBLING
- 18-20 dried lasagne sheets
- 1 ball mozzarella not bufala
- 5 x 15ml tablespoons (approx. 40g) freshly grated Parmesan
🍲 How To Make Nigella Lasagne Of Love
- Chop onions and cook in a large pan with oil until softened.
- Mix tomato purée with milk. Process carrots, celery, garlic, pancetta, parsley, and thyme until finely chopped.
- Add vegetable mixture to pan and cook. Add minced beef and pork, cook until browned.
- Pour in wine, beef stock, chopped tomatoes, and tomato purée mixture. Season with salt and bay leaves. Bake for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, heat milk for béchamel with salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Make roux with butter and flour, then whisk in milk until thickened. Stir in Parmesan.
- Layer meat sauce, lasagne sheets, and béchamel in a dish. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake covered, then uncovered until golden and bubbly.
- Let stand before serving.
đź’ Recipe Tips:
- Ensure your meat sauce is well-seasoned to avoid blandness; taste and adjust as needed before layering.
- Use quality red wine for depth of flavor, but if unavailable, red vermouth can be a suitable substitute.
- Pay attention to the thickness of your béchamel; too thin and your lasagne may be watery, too thick and it could become stodgy.
- Don’t overcook your lasagne sheets; they should be tender but still slightly firm to the bite.
- Allow your lasagne to rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and for easier slicing.
🥗 What To Serve With Lasagne?
Serve Lasagne with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the dish , pair it with garlic bread or crusty Italian bread for mopping up the delicious sauce.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Lasagne?
- Refrigerator: To store Leftovers Lasagne allow it to cool completel then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: To freeze Leftovers Lasagne wrap portions tightly in foil or freezer-safe containers, labeling with date and freeze for up to 3 months.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Lasagne?
- Oven: Cover Leftovers Lasagne with foil and reheat at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-30 minutes until heated through.
- Steam: Place Leftovers Lasagne slices in a steamer basket over boiling water cover it and steam for 10-15 minutes until warmed.
- Air Fryer: Arrange Leftovers Lasagne slices in a single layer and air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes until heated and crispy.
FAQ’S
How Do I Ensure The Lasagne Sheets Cook Evenly?
To ensure lasagne sheets cook evenly, make sure they are fully submerged in sauce and not overlapping. Cover the dish with foil during baking to trap steam and aid even cooking.
Can I Make Lasagne Of Love In A Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can make Lasagne of Love in a slow cooker. Layer ingredients as usual, then cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours until noodles are tender.
How Do I Prevent The Top Of The Lasagne From Burning?
Prevent the top of the lasagne from burning by covering it with foil during the first part of baking, then removing the foil for the last 10-15 minutes to allow the top to brown.
How Do I Know When The Lasagne Is Fully Cooked?
You’ll know lasagne is fully cooked when the top is golden brown and bubbling, and a knife inserted into the center comes out hot to the touch. Ensure noodles are tender and cooked through.
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Nigella Lasagne Of Love Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 550
- Total Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sodium: 900mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 40g
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugars: 8g
- Protein: 25g
Nigella Lasagne Of Love
Description
This Nigella Lasagne of Love recipe is made with onions, olive oil, milk, tomato puree, carrots, celery, garlic, pancetta, parsley, thyme, chilli flakes, minced beef, minced pork, red wine, beef stock, chopped tomatoes, sea salt flakes, bay leaves, milk, butter, flour, mozzarella, and Parmesan. It takes about 3 hours to prepare and serves 6 people.
Ingredients
FOR THE MEAT SAUCE
FOR THE BÉCHAMEL
FOR ASSEMBLING
Instructions
- Chop onions and cook in a large pan with oil until softened.
- Mix tomato purée with milk. Process carrots, celery, garlic, pancetta, parsley, and thyme until finely chopped.
- Add vegetable mixture to pan and cook. Add minced beef and pork, cook until browned.
- Pour in wine, beef stock, chopped tomatoes, and tomato purée mixture. Season with salt and bay leaves. Bake for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, heat milk for béchamel with salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Make roux with butter and flour, then whisk in milk until thickened. Stir in Parmesan.
- Layer meat sauce, lasagne sheets, and béchamel in a dish. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake covered, then uncovered until golden and bubbly.
- Let stand before serving.
Notes
- Ensure your meat sauce is well-seasoned to avoid blandness; taste and adjust as needed before layering.
Use quality red wine for depth of flavor, but if unavailable, red vermouth can be a suitable substitute.
Pay attention to the thickness of your béchamel; too thin and your lasagne may be watery, too thick and it could become stodgy.
Don’t overcook your lasagne sheets; they should be tender but still slightly firm to the bite.
Allow your lasagne to rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and for easier slicing.