The Perfect Lasagne Ragu Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Crafting a delectable lasagne ragu demands passion and a sprinkle of culinary magic.

Rich layers of pasta, meat, and sauce create a symphony of flavors dancing across your plate.

Authentic Italian techniques shine through in this comforting classic that speaks directly to your appetite.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this hearty dish, passing down secrets from kitchen to kitchen.

Robust ground beef mingles with tomatoes, creating a sauce that hugs each pasta sheet with intense warmth.

Subtle herbs and slow-simmered ingredients transform simple components into an extraordinary meal.

Come explore this irresistible recipe that will make your dining table the center of delicious conversation.

Ingredients Needed For Delia Smith Lasagne Ragu Recipe

• Pasta Flour: High-protein flour perfect for creating strong and elastic pasta dough.
• Eggs: Binds the pasta dough and provides rich flavor.

• Beef Mince: Lean ground beef that creates the hearty base of the ragu sauce.
• Onion, Carrot, Celery: Classic vegetable blend that provides depth and aromatic foundation for the sauce.
• Garlic: Adds robust and savory flavor to the meat sauce.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that enhances the richness of the ragu.
• Red Wine: Adds complexity and depth to the meat sauce.
• Tomatoes, Passata: Fresh and smooth tomato base that creates the classic ragu texture.
• Water: Helps to create the right consistency for the sauce.
• Butter: Creates a smooth and rich base for the bechamel sauce.
• Flour: Thickens the bechamel and provides structure.
• Milk: Provides creamy liquid for the bechamel sauce.
• Cheese: Adds creaminess and a golden top layer to the lasagne.

How To Cook Delia Smith Lasagne Ragu Recipe

Step 1: Craft Homemade Pasta Dough

Mix flour and eggs on a clean surface. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic. Wrap in plastic and let it rest for 30 minutes. Roll out the dough using a pasta machine or rolling pin into thin sheets. Cut sheets to fit your baking dish.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Meat Sauce

• Diced onions
• Chopped carrots
• Finely chopped celery
• Minced garlic

Step 3: Build Rich Ragu Base

• Tomato paste
• Red wine
• Crushed tomatoes
• Tomato passata
• Water

Simmer the sauce for 2 hours, stirring occasionally until thick and deeply flavored.

Step 4: Whip Up Creamy Bechamel Sauce

Melt butter in a saucepan. Whisk in flour to create a roux. Gradually pour in milk, stirring constantly. Add grated parmesan cheese. Cook until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.

Step 5: Prepare Pasta Sheets

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta sheets briefly until just tender. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain and pat dry.

Step 6: Assemble Luxurious Lasagne

• Meat sauce
• Pasta sheets
• Bechamel sauce

Repeat layers, ending with bechamel. Sprinkle extra cheese on top.

Step 7: Bake and Serve

Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake lasagne for 40 minutes until golden and bubbling. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing to allow layers to set. Serve hot and enjoy!

Handy Tips For Delia Smith Lasagne Ragu Recipe

• Batch Browning Technique: Brown meat in small batches to ensure proper caramelization and prevent steaming, which helps develop deeper flavor profiles.
• Simmer Slow and Low: Allow ragu sauce to simmer gently for two hours, letting ingredients meld together and create rich, concentrated taste without burning.
• Pasta Sheet Preparation: Boil pasta sheets briefly, then immediately chill in cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking, ensuring perfect texture when layering.
• Cheese Selection Hack: Choose a mix of parmesan and mozzarella for topping to achieve golden, crispy surface with melted, creamy underneath layer.
• Rest and Settle Strategy: Let lasagne rest for 10-15 minutes after baking to help layers set and make cutting cleaner and more precise.

Flavorful Takes On Delia Smith Lasagne Ragu Recipe

• Vegetarian Lasagne: Replace meat with lentils, mushrooms, or plant-based mince for a protein-packed alternative.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free lasagne sheets and swap wheat flour for cornstarch in bechamel sauce.
• Lighter Healthier Option: Substitute part-skim ricotta for bechamel, use lean turkey mince instead of beef, add extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini.
• Mediterranean Spin: Incorporate roasted Mediterranean vegetables, swap beef for lamb, add feta cheese, use herbs like oregano and basil for enhanced flavor profile.

Great Sides For Delia Smith Lasagne Ragu Recipe

• Pair Robust Red Wine: Choose a full-bodied Italian red like Chianti Classico or Sangiovese to complement the rich, meaty ragu sauce and enhance the lasagne's deep flavors.
• Match Crisp Green Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the lasagne's heaviness and provide a fresh, tangy contrast to the creamy, hearty dish.
• Select Herbal Starter: Begin with a classic bruschetta topped with fresh basil and tomatoes to echo the lasagne's Italian roots and prime the palate with bright, zesty notes.
• Complement with Garlic Bread: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread to soak up extra ragu sauce and add a complementary garlicky crunch that rounds out the meal's texture and flavor profile.

Smart Storage For Delia Smith Lasagne Ragu Recipe

• Store leftover lasagne in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual portions or whole lasagne in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Label with date for tracking.
• Cut cold lasagne into portions. Place on microwave-safe plate. Cover with damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking temperature midway.
• Preheat oven to 180C. Place lasagne in oven-safe dish. Cover with foil to prevent burning. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.

FAQs About Delia Smith Lasagne Ragu Recipe

• What meat works best for ragu?

Ground beef and pork mix creates the richest flavor, providing balanced fat content and deeper taste profile for traditional lasagne.

• Can I make pasta sheets if I don't have a pasta machine?

Yes, you can roll pasta dough manually with a rolling pin, ensuring thin, even sheets by working slowly and consistently across the surface.

• How do I prevent my lasagne from becoming watery?

Allow ragu sauce to reduce completely during simmering, drain excess liquid, and avoid adding too much passata or water during cooking process.

• Is it necessary to pre-cook pasta sheets?

Pre-boiling pasta sheets helps prevent a dry, crunchy texture and ensures even cooking throughout the lasagne layers, creating a more tender final dish.

Why Delia Smith Lasagne Ragu Recipe Wins Hearts

• Craft Homemade Comfort: Enjoy the deeply satisfying process of creating authentic Italian lasagne from scratch, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, luxurious meal.
• Master Advanced Cooking Skills: Challenge yourself with a recipe that teaches professional techniques like pasta making, creating ragu, and perfecting bechamel sauce, elevating your culinary expertise.
• Impress Dinner Guests: Serve a restaurant-quality dish that showcases your cooking passion, guaranteed to generate praise and create memorable dining experiences for family and friends.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for Sunday family dinners, weekend gatherings, or special celebrations where hearty, traditional Italian cuisine is appreciated by everyone from kids to adults.

Lasagne Ragu Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hrs
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Italian Lasagne Ragu brings layers of rich, slow-cooked meaty goodness from Bologna’s culinary heart. Silky pasta sheets nestled with savory beef ragu create a comforting meal that will transport you straight to Italy’s warm kitchen tables.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 500 grams (1.1 pounds) beef mince
• 500 grams (1.1 pounds) pork mince

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 white onions, finely diced
• 2 carrots, finely diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 5 ripe tomatoes, peeled and diced

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 700 grams (24.7 ounces) passata
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• Salt & pepper

Dairy and Cheese:

• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup plain flour
• 3 cups milk
• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) gruyere, grated
• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) parmesan, grated
• 20 grams (0.7 ounces) parmesan
• 20 grams (0.7 ounces) mozzarella

Pasta:

• 400 grams (14.1 ounces) 00 flour
• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) semolina flour
• 250 grams (8.8 ounces) eggs
• 1 te

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft handmade pasta dough, allowing it to relax and then delicately slice into uniform sheets.
2. Sear ground meat in separate batches, ensuring deep caramelization and rich flavor development.
3. Create aromatic vegetable base by gently sweating finely chopped onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until soft and translucent.
4. Enhance meat sauce by incorporating tomato paste, red wine, crushed tomatoes, passata, and water, then simmer slowly for approximately 2 hours, developing complex flavors.
5. Prepare silky bechamel sauce by carefully melting butter, whisking in flour, gradually adding milk, and stirring until sauce thickens and smooth, then incorporate grated cheese.
6. Briefly blanch pasta sheets in boiling water, then immediately cool in ice water to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal texture.
7. Construct lasagne by alternating layers of rich meat ragu, delicate pasta sheets, and creamy bechamel, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
8. Crown the final layer with additional grated cheese for a golden, crispy topping.
9. Bake in preheated oven at 180°C for 40 minutes until bubbling and beautifully browned.
10. Allow lasagne to rest for 15 minutes before slicing, enabling layers to set and flavors to meld harmoniously.

Notes

• Choose high-quality, lean beef mince for a rich, deep flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Work in batches when browning meat to ensure proper caramelization and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• Let the ragu simmer slowly to develop complex, intense flavors and tenderize the meat completely.
• Make fresh pasta sheets if possible, as they provide a more delicate and authentic texture compared to dried pasta.
• Allow the lasagne to rest for 15-20 minutes after baking, which helps set the layers and makes cleaner, neater slices.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute wheat pasta with gluten-free lasagne sheets and use cornstarch instead of flour in bechamel.
• Enhance the ragu’s depth by adding a splash of milk while simmering, which softens the meat and balances acidity.

• Prep Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs 40 mins
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 663 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 362 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 44 g
• Cholesterol: 142 mg