Classic lasagne

A great, traditional recipe, sure to keep the whole family happy. Don't forget the garlic bread!

• Preparation: 20 mins
• Cooking: 90 mins

What you need:

• 450g/1lb lean beef mince

For the ragu sauce:

• 50g/2oz pancetta cubes or streaky bacon, finely chopped
• 50g/2oz chicken livers, roughly chopped
• 1 red onion, peeled and chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
• 1 celery stick, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 small sprig fresh thyme
• 1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes
• 300ml/1/2 pint good, hot beef stock
• 5ml/1tsp caster sugar
• 30ml/2tbsp tomato puree
• 100ml/31/2floz good red wine
• 1 bay leaf
• 30ml/2tbsp freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 5ml/1tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• Salt and freshly milled black pepper

For the cheese sauce:

• 25g/1oz butter
• 25g/1oz plain flour
• 425ml/1/2 pint milk
• 75g/3oz grated hard cheese, e.g Cheddar
• 25g/1oz Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 x 250g/9oz pack fresh lasagne sheets

What you do:

1. Heat a large non-stick pan and dry fry the mince with the pancetta and chicken livers for 3-4 minutes until brown, breaking up any lumps with the back of a spoon. Transfer to a large bowl. Cook the onion, garlic, celery and carrot in the same frying pan for 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the remaining ragu ingredients, bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprig.
3. Meanwhile, to make the cheese sauce; heat the butter in a non-stick pan until foaming then whisk in the flour. Remove the pan from the heat and slowly add the milk, return to the heat and cook until thickened, stirring continuously. Add the cheese and season if required.
4. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 5, 190°C, 375°F. Place a layer of lasagne sheets in the base of a 25cm/10inch square ovenproof dish. Spoon half the rag° mixture over the pasta then half the cheese sauce. Repeat with another layer of lasagne and ragu, then finish with a final layer of lasagne sheets and sauce. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes and serve with a mixed salad and garlic bread.

Cook's tip:

As an alternative, if preferred, replace the lasagne sheets with corn tortillas or wraps and cook at Gas Mark 7, 220°C, 425°F for 15-20 minutes.

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