Christmas Lasagna

Ingredients:

For the meat sauce:

500g ground beef (beef or pork/beef mix)

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp cinnamon (for a festive touch)

1 tsp thyme

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 tbsp of olive oil

For the béchamel sauce:

50 g butter

50 g flour

500 ml milk

A pinch of grated nutmeg

Salt and pepper

For assembly:

12 lasagna sheets (pre-cooked or ready to cook)

200 g ricotta

200 g grated mozzarella

100 g grated Parmesan

1 handful of young spinach leaves (optional)

1 handful of chopped walnuts (for a festive and crunchy touch, optional)

Instructions:

Prepare the Meat Sauce:

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan a large skillet. Sauté the onion and garlic until tender.

Add the ground meat and cook until golden brown.

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, cinnamon, thyme, salt and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes to develop the flavors.

Prepare the Béchamel:

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for 2 minutes to obtain a roux.

Gradually pour in the milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Let it thicken, then add the nutmeg, salt and pepper.

Assemble the Lasagna:

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a gratin dish. Add a layer of lasagna sheets.

Spread a layer of béchamel, then add spoonfuls of ricotta, a handful of spinach (if using), and chopped walnuts for a festive touch. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.

Repeat layers until all ingredients are used up, finishing with a generous layer of grated cheese on top.

Bake the Lasagna:

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and let it brown for an additional 15 minutes.

Serve:

Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with a green salad or roasted vegetables for a festive meal.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings: 6-8

Notes:

Variation: Add sautéed mushrooms or replace the meat with grilled vegetables for a vegetarian version.

Festive Tip: Decorate the surface with nuts or fresh herbs arranged in a fir tree shape for a festive visual effect.