Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Homemade lasagna.

286 replies

Idrinkmywhiskeyneat · 29/05/2024 16:59

Is it one of the best inventions known to man?
Just stood in the kitchen with my lovely meaty, tomatoey sauce in one pan and the cheesy loveliness in the other. One of the best best is getting a spoonful of the mincemeat and topping it with the cheese sauce and just eating it off the spoon, whilst you’re stood over it, cooking it all. It has to be a very tomatoey, cheesy, thick lasagna, also extra nice, if left and eaten later in the evening or the next morning,

Anyway, sorry, just a homemade lasagna appreciation post.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
Brainded · 29/05/2024 18:29

BettyBlueHat · 29/05/2024 18:23

But the ragù/bolognese can’t be ready in 30
mins. It’s needs to be cooked while to developed rich, deep flavours.

When I make lasagne, I always make ragù one night for something else (pasta bolognese, burritos). Then the next night, I make the bechamel, and use fresh pasta sheets (I don’t cook them in water and I don’t use dried), then heat the meat in the micro, and layer up and into the oven. Super easy and made within the 1hr but with a deep, flavoursome ragù.

Show quote history

@BettyBlueHat i leave it to simmer for about 10mins. Mince meat doesn’t take that long to cook! I use mince, onion, mixed herbs, garlic, salt pepper, tomato paste and then a bit of a stock cube with some water and leave it simmer. Bechemel (spelling) is just butter, flour and milk (salt and pepper) and I make them at am the same time.

Noshowlomo · 29/05/2024 18:27

When I was a young un and lived with my parents my mam would do lasagne and salad, with home made coleslaw etc.
I used to put everything in a sandwich so my favourite was a lasagne sandwich with coleslaw and then more bread to mop up what fell out. It’s a real slag fest and I haven’t had it in about 25 years 😢

twigy100 · 29/05/2024 18:25

Does any one have a recipe they recommend?

SherbetDips · 29/05/2024 18:24

It is soo yummy! I haven’t made it in a while. Perhaps on Friday

3catsandcounting · 29/05/2024 18:24

It's my favourite dish in the world, and I've been making it for 40 years, but I've never been able to keep the pasta from soaking up all the sauce.
I've tried making more béchamel, I've tried leaving the sauces til everything goes cold, then assembling and cooking. I've tried foil on top for half the cooking time. I've even pre-soaked the pasta!
Where does all my white sauce go? 😟

Lilyhatesjaz · 29/05/2024 18:24

Every few months I make a massive amount of the ragu sauce and portion it up for the freezer, so when I make lasagne I only have to make the white sauce as the meat is ready to use, saves much of the faff.
I now want lasagna for tea.

1ittlegreen · 29/05/2024 18:23

My Nonna by marriage cooks the ragu and the bechemel separately, adds tonnes of nutmeg then mixes both huge pans together before putting scraps of pasta in the dish and drowing it in the creamy, cheesy ragu.

It's a game changer but apparently, lasagne isn't a thing in Italy.

Every time I make my mum's bolognaise I have to pre warn my husband that it's British bolognaise, not Italian 🙄

But yes, there is nothing better than my mum's homemade, veggie lasagne.

FrenchandSaunders · 29/05/2024 18:23

That looks amazing OP!

I’m starving and want lasagne now.

I also love it the next day when it’s thick and you can cut it like a cake 😋

BettyBlueHat · 29/05/2024 18:23

Brainded · 29/05/2024 18:18

@fieldsofbutterflies 🤣 I hear ya but to be fair it went in the oven at 5:30ish so I was only stood cooking for 30 mins

Show quote history

But the ragù/bolognese can’t be ready in 30
mins. It’s needs to be cooked while to developed rich, deep flavours.

When I make lasagne, I always make ragù one night for something else (pasta bolognese, burritos). Then the next night, I make the bechamel, and use fresh pasta sheets (I don’t cook them in water and I don’t use dried), then heat the meat in the micro, and layer up and into the oven. Super easy and made within the 1hr but with a deep, flavoursome ragù.

Nopetynope · 29/05/2024 18:23

Best tip I got from MN was to leave to rest for 30 minutes before serving so it doesn't fall into a mushy mess when cut into portions!

Babyboomtastic · 29/05/2024 18:20

The beast. It's 11 inches long and still sizzling.

Homemade lasagna.
fieldsofbutterflies · 29/05/2024 18:20

Brainded · 29/05/2024 18:18

@fieldsofbutterflies 🤣 I hear ya but to be fair it went in the oven at 5:30ish so I was only stood cooking for 30 mins

Show quote history

30 minutes too long for me Grin I really don't enjoy cooking though, too much time and effort for something that disappears in seconds, lol.

Brainded · 29/05/2024 18:18

fieldsofbutterflies · 29/05/2024 18:14

I love how you describe a meal that took you 90 minutes as "not much faff".

Show quote history

@fieldsofbutterflies 🤣 I hear ya but to be fair it went in the oven at 5:30ish so I was only stood cooking for 30 mins

SprigatitoYouAndIKnow · 29/05/2024 18:18

Yes, lasagne is wonderful. Despite being a meat eater, I do prefer vegetable lasagne though.

Sue152 · 29/05/2024 18:16

We have a really indulgent recipe that uses parmesan, double cream and red wine. It is literally the most delicious thing I've ever tasted.
Can't believe someone thinks frozen compares to home made 😮

BettyBlueHat · 29/05/2024 18:16

Totally agree that it is the food of gods. Frozen is just 🤮

but it should not be a cheesy sauce….it should be bechamel with Parmesan grated on top at the last layer.

fieldsofbutterflies · 29/05/2024 18:14

Brainded · 29/05/2024 18:01

It’s not that much faff at all…I was home yesterday at just before 5 and we were eating lasagna at half 6! Fully made from scratch!

I love how you describe a meal that took you 90 minutes as "not much faff".

JMSA · 29/05/2024 18:14

Funnily enough, one of the kids at school was asking me today what my death row meal would be.
My homemade lasagne, was the reply.
You lot will be horrified at me though, as I don't actually like cheese Shock So mine has all the rich, meaty, tomatoey goodness but with layers of uncheesy white sauce ... and of course no cheese on top Grin

Original poster
Idrinkmywhiskeyneat · 29/05/2024 18:14

@BabsMustGo I add cheese into my bechamel sauce…try it! Grated cheddar…so so good..I thought everyone did this, maybe this is why mines the best lasagna in town 😂

OP posts:
Babyboomtastic · 29/05/2024 18:14

Idrinkmywhiskeyneat · 29/05/2024 18:10

Also, what cheese? I used cheddar and sometimes cheddar/mozarella mix

Alternate layers of mozzarella and parmesan, with both on top. A disgusting amount of cheese and then double it.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 29/05/2024 18:14

White sauce with cheese and garlic added and mozzarella on every layer

Babyboomtastic · 29/05/2024 18:13

Mine is cooking right now. It's a cheese and Bolognese feast, and a total beast!

Offredismysister · 29/05/2024 18:12

I hate mince. I make mine with stewing beef now, it takes me 2 days but it’s so worth it 🤣

BabsMustGo · 29/05/2024 18:12

Idrinkmywhiskeyneat · 29/05/2024 17:43

@BabsMustGo WHAT?

Lasagna is made with a bechemel (white) sauce, topped with mozzarella and Parmesan.

Definitely no cheese sauce!

Marylou62 · 29/05/2024 18:11

Lasagne.. food from heaven..

If I didn't suffer from migraines triggered by strong cheese I'd have it every time I ate out..

Have you tried cutting it into portions and freezing. Defrost when needed and cover in more cheese sauce and grated cheese on top..(I learnt this whilst working in a pub when I was younger.)
That way you can have lasagne any time.

Extra deliciousness .