How to Make a Great Simple Lasagna

Taking your own food into the office can help save money on expensive lunches. This simple recipe easy to follow, delicious and can be frozen for later meals

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Tin chopped tomatoes
• 500g minced beef
• Tomato paste
• mushrooms
• carrots
• Cheddar Cheese, grated
• Goats cheese (optional)
• Flour
• Milk
• Butter
• Lasagna strips (pre cooked)
• Lasagna dish
• Oven

1. 
    

   The first thing to do is finely chop the onion

2. 
    

   Heat some olive oil in a pan, when it is hot add the onion and cook on a high heat remembering to keep the onion moving to release the flavor and ensure it doesn't burn. When the onion takes on a translucent hue, crush a clove or two of (peeled) garlic in a garlic crusher.

3. After a minute add the minced beef and cook until it it brown all the way through.

4. 
    

   If you wish to make the lasagna a little more healthy you can add chopped vegetables such as mushrooms, carrots, zucchini to the frying pan.

5. 
    

   Once the meat is browned, you can add the tin of chopped tomatoes to the mixture stir in a little tomato paste and seasoning, then leave to simmer while you make the cheese sauce.

6. Pre-heat the oven to 350F

7. Heat a knob of butter in a saucepan. When it starts to bubble, add a small amount of flour stirring until it takes on a peanut butter like consistency. Then add a little milk and stir with a fork until well mixed.

8. 
    

   Start to add the grated cheese a handful at a time, stirring it into the mixture with a fork to keep the consistency smooth. If it gets too thick, add more milk, a little at a time. Set aside a little of the grated cheese to use for the top.

9. 
    

   Once you have added all the grated cheese and the mixture is smooth, you can add some goats cheese, this gives the cheese sauce a sharper taste. You can leave this step out if you choose.

10. Add seasoning to the cheese sauce and take off the heat.

11. Pour some meat into the lasagna dish, add a layer of lasagna strips, side by side but not overlapping.
    Pour some of the cheese sauce on top of the strips.
    Pour a layer of meat onto of the cheese sauce and add the lasagna strips on top of that.

12. Repeat this step ending with the cheese sauce.
    Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on the top and put in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling at the sides.
    And voila, one perfect lasagna.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have a garlic crusher you can finely chop the garlic to the same effect.
• It can be fun to add sliced eggplant in the meat layers for added flavor.
• As always, ensure you are careful to make sure all hot pans are kept out of childrens reach.

[alltrails]

on 10/2/2009 Oh, this sounds yummy. I have trouble figuring out what to take to the office for lunch, and this would be perfect to heat up in the microwave. 5 stars - thanks!