French-style Lasagne

Ingredients

While the original Italian lasagne typically features a tomato-based sauce, this French adaptation incorporates a velvety béchamel sauce, which adds a luxurious touch to the dish. Additionally, French-style lasagne often includes a variety of flavorful ingredients such as mushrooms, herbs, and Gruyère cheese, which give it a distinct French flair. We alse have the original recipe for Lasagne, so you can check it out.

• 9 lasagne sheets 9 lasagne sheets
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 200g (7 oz) mushrooms, sliced 200g (7 oz) mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 500ml (2 cups) milk 500ml (2 cups) milk
• 100g (3.5 oz) Gruyère cheese, grated 100g (3.5 oz) Gruyère cheese, grated
• 100g (3.5 oz) Parmesan cheese, grated 100g (3.5 oz) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories: 550 kcal / 2300 KJ
• Fat: 32g (16g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 32g (6g sugars)
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add the onion, garlic, and mushrooms, and cook until the vegetables are softened.
3. 3.
   In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
4. 4.
   Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in half of the grated Gruyère cheese and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Season with thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
5. 5.
   In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of the béchamel sauce. Place three lasagne sheets on top, followed by a layer of the meat and vegetable mixture. Repeat the layers, finishing with a layer of béchamel sauce on top.
6. 6.
   Sprinkle the remaining Gruyère and Parmesan cheese over the lasagne.
7. 7.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
8. 8.
   Allow the lasagne to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef — Choose lean ground beef for a healthier option.
• Gruyère cheese — For a stronger flavor, opt for aged Gruyère.
• Mushrooms — Use a mix of different mushrooms, such as cremini, shiitake, and oyster, to enhance the taste.

Tips & Tricks

• To save time, you can prepare the meat and vegetable mixture in advance and assemble the lasagne just before baking.
• For a vegetarian version, replace the ground beef with a mix of sautéed vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavors of your French-style lasagne.

Serving advice

Serve the French-style lasagne hot, accompanied by a fresh green salad and a crusty baguette.

Presentation advice

Garnish each serving of lasagne with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, such as parsley or chives, to add a pop of color and freshness.