Traditional Italian lasagna al forno
There is truly nothing more comforting than a hot, bubbling baked lasagna made from scratch with a homemade meat sauce and mornay sauce within alternating layers. We give you a taste of Italy with our recipe for authentic Italian lasagna made with basic ingredients and a few simple steps, so you can easily make it at home.
‘Al forno’ is Italian for ‘in the oven’ and refers to the traditional method of preparing and cooking lasagna. The high heat of the oven helps to blend the flavors, giving the lasagna a creamy and gooey texture with crisp edges and tender pasta that absorbs the flavors of the meat and mornay sauce.
You should also take a look at our Italian-inspired recipes for chicken spaghetti and tomato sauce, Chicken Cannelloni with Mushroom, and Carbonara with Egg Yolk.
Make it simple and flavorful
Italian cuisine is known for its simplicity with natural flavors and fresh ingredients. Because of the few high-quality components used in this recipe and the traditional way of preparing it, lasagna al forno is a very simple and flavorful dish. Made with a few key ingredients that are layered together and baked in the oven, this simplicity allows the aromas of each ingredient to shine through and create a harmonious balance of rich and creamy flavors. The addition of breadcrumbs and butter on top of the lasagna creates a nice balance of textures and taste and adds a crispy crust on top of the lasagna al forno.
Homemade mornay sauce for lasagna
True to the classic Italian lasagna, this pasta dish is made with a homemade mornay sauce, a variation of white sauce that has been enriched with grated cheese and nutmeg. The sauce adds a layer of flavor to the dish with a nutty taste and a rich, velvety texture that complements the meat filling. The mornay sauce features a base of butter, flour, milk, seasoning, and grated cheese meant for melting in the oven, producing a thick, velvety white cheese sauce with deep flavors that helps bind the dish together.
Serve with a fresh tomato salad
Add a burst of freshness to the hearty lasagna al forno with a fresh and crisp tomato salad. The acidity and sweetness of ripe tomatoes complement the rich and creamy flavors of the lasagna while simultaneously providing a refreshing and light finish to the heavier meal. For a fresh tomato salad, cut ripe tomatoes and red onions into thin slices and toss with olives, feta cheese, and a simple dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
Put a spin on a classic
Give the traditional Italian lasagna recipe a fresh spin with minced turkey or chicken instead of beef, or add mushrooms, bell peppers, or eggplant to the meat sauce for added flavor and texture. You can also ramp up the flavors by incorporating more fresh herbs and spices, like parsley, rosemary, or chilli flakes. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and put your spin on the classic lasagna al forno.
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