2023 Merlot with Lasagne

Ok, so when it comes to Merlot, Italian food is an excellent ally. And this family favourite is the perfect comfort food for our 2023 Merlot. We're thinking an open fire, a big bowl of lasagne and glass of Merlot is the perfect winter Friday night.

Recipe: Lasagne

Ingredients:

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 450g ground beef
• 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (170g) tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Béchamel Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pinch of nutmeg

For the Lasagne:

• 9 lasagne noodles
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 190°C. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

2. Prepare the Meat Sauce:

   • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
   • Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
   • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Prepare the Béchamel Sauce:

   • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to form a paste (roux). Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
   • Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Cook the sauce until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
   • Season the béchamel sauce with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Remove from heat and set aside.

4. Cook the Lasagne Noodles:

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagne noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

5. Assemble the Lasagne:

   • Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
   • Place a layer of cooked lasagne noodles on top of the meat sauce, slightly overlapping them.
   • Spread a layer of meat sauce over the noodles, followed by a layer of béchamel sauce, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese.
   • Repeat the layers of noodles, meat sauce, béchamel sauce, and cheese until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of cheese on top.

6. Bake the Lasagne:

   • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
   • Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
   • Remove from the oven and let the lasagne cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

7. Serve the Lasagne:

   • Serve the hot lasagne slices with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.
   • Enjoy this classic Italian comfort food with friends and family, savouring each layer of rich sauce and cheesy goodness. 

Image via Recipetineats