In Bologna, we learn lasagna isn’t what we think. It’s better.

Lasagna Bolognese

Name: Lasagna Bolognese
Yield: 8-10 Servings
Ingredients: 12 no-boil 6½-by-3½-inch lasagna noodles (see note); 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; Kosher salt; 6 cups ragù Bolognese, warmed (see recipe); 3 cups Parmesan besciamella, warmed (see recipe); Finely grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

By Diane Unger

Appears in March-April 2020

1 hour 20 minutes (20 minutes active) Plus cooling

Free

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We liked Barilla oven-ready lasagna noodles for this recipe, preferring it even over fresh sheet pasta. Both the ragù and the besciamella should be warm for lasagna assembly; the ragù reheats well in a large saucepan over medium and the besciamella can be microwaved in a covered 1-quart liquid measuring cup or medium microwave-safe bowl. A serrated knife is best for cutting the lasagna for serving.

12 no-boil 6½-by-3½-inch lasagna noodles (see note)

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt

6 cups ragù Bolognese, warmed (see recipe)

3 cups Parmesan besciamella, warmed (see recipe)

Finely grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

Ingredients

12

no-boil 6½-by-3½-inch lasagna noodles (see note)
1

tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
6

cups ragù Bolognese, warmed (see recipe)
3

cups Parmesan besciamella, warmed (see recipe)
Finely grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

Recipe

Ragù Bolognese

Recipe

Parmesan Besciamella

Directions

01

Heat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the middle position. Place the noodles in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, then add hot water (about 140°F) to cover, along with the oil and 1 tablespoon salt; swish the noodles around to dissolve the salt. Let stand for 10 minutes, moving the noodles around halfway through to ensure they do not stick together.

See Demo
02

Remove the noodles from the water and arrange in a single layer on a kitchen towel; pat dry with paper towels. Wipe out the baking dish. Distribute 2 cups ragù evenly in the baking dish, then place 3 noodles in a single layer on top. Spread ¼ cup besciamella onto each noodle, all the way to the edges. Pour 1 cup ragù on top and spread evenly. Repeat the layering 3 more times, using the remaining noodles, besciamella and ragù, then cover the baking dish tightly with foil.

See Demo
03

Bake until the edges of the lasagna are bubbling, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Transfer to a wire rack, uncover and cool for about 30 minutes. Cut into pieces and serve sprinkled with Parmesan.

See Demo

Tip: Don’t use the noodles without first soaking them. Unsoaked noodles absorb moisture from both the ragù and besciamella, leaving the lasagna too dry. But don’t soak them for longer than 10 minutes.

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Lasagna Bolognese

Get Ready to Cook

8-10

Servings

1 hour 20 minutes (20 minutes active)

Plus cooling

Tip

Don’t use the noodles without first soaking them. Unsoaked noodles absorb moisture from both the ragù and besciamella, leaving the lasagna too dry. But don’t soak them for longer than 10 minutes.