Lasagne al Forno is a delightfully thin, wide, flat sheet pasta with the perfect meat tomato sauce, cheese, and bechamel cream in alternating layers that is baked in the oven.

It is not a dish made daily due to the intense labor required, but it is generally prepared for a special occasion. Before going further, I must specify that “Al Forno” means “in the oven.”

Lasagne al forno

In Italy, you can enjoy “lasagne pasta,” which is the type of pasta alone. It marries well with pesto or any other rich, meaty sauce.

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So when I say lasagna al forno or in the oven, the preparation is different.

Longer but worthy of every second you spend in the kitchen making this dish.

In this Article

The Origins of Lasagne.

There are quite a few different theories about the original birth of lasagne or as some love to call it, lasagna.

During an archeological excavation, evidence pointed to essential pasta-making tools and ingredients.

But it wasn’t until the Milled ages that the recipe appeared.

Lasagne originated in Italy in Naples during the Middle Ages in the 14th century. Revered by many and reserved for special events and holidays.

However, Emilia Romagna has claims on it as well

Northern Italy will use fresh pasta to make this dish. However, moving to southern Italy, you will find this dish prepared with dried pasta. Each region has put its signature in this classic dish by adding porcini mushrooms and prosciutto.

This dish is made in three parts: the sugo or tomato sauce, the homemade pasta, and besciamella or bechamel cream.

lasagne al forno in the baking glass dish

How to Make Lasagna al Forno

1. Home Made Pasta

Start with a good 00 flour. More refined than your regular all-purpose flour and flour of choice. Bring your eggs to room temperature before cracking them into the flour.

The pasta dough does not require too much work, but it does need to rest between kneading.

You can work your pasta by hand or by pasta maker. I used to have a handheld rolling pasta machine. I have replaced it with the pasta attachment to my KitchenAid

Start by using the dough hook, flour, eggs, salt, and white wine with the pasta machine. Knead the dough a couple of times, allowing for rest periods in between, and then begin the roll-out process.

Use the widest setting on your pasta rolling attachment, usually setting #1.

  • Fold the dough to make a perfect rectangle and pass it through again.
  • Work with a couple of sheets at a time to prevent them from drying out.
  • You must spread some flour, or fine semolina flour if you prefer, on the cutting board or wherever you will leave the pasta sheets to rest between rolling.

If the pasta starts to attach itself to the rolling pins or begins to break, let it rest for an additional 3-4 minutes before rolling it again.

Once you have the perfect rectangle, move to settings #3 and #6; however, only roll and not fold back this time. Cut the desired length you want to use.

Do remember that when you cook, the pasta will swell up.

As soon as all the other ingredients are done, start cooking the pasta in a salted pot with plenty of water.

Cook the lasagne strips, a few at a time, in boiling, salted water. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place in a cold water bath.

2. Sugo or Meat Tomato Sauce Tip

  • The easiest step to make. One important thing to note is to toss it once the garlic is golden.
  • The garlic is only used to infuse the oil with its natural juices.
  • This tomato sauce can be made the day before and returned to room temperature when ready to assemble your dish.
Lasagne al forno

3. Beschiamella or Bechamel Cream

A straightforward step that requires only attention is to constantly stir as you add the milk slowly and wait between additions.

You want your cream to thicken before adding the next ladle of milk.

By slowly adding the milk and whisking, you eliminate the lumps to be forming.

Do add the nutmeg and season at the last minute. The nutmeg brings depth to the sauce.

4. Assembly of your lasagna al forno

Once all the sugo and the bechamel are done, you can start cooking the pasta a few sheets at a time.

If you prefer, spread some of the tomato sauce in a large baking dish or roasting dish. Add the lasagne pasta one at a time, overlapping if necessary to cover the whole bottom of the baking dish.

Add a thin layer of bechamel to cover. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and cover with another layer of pasta.

Repeat until all is done, and finish up with more mozzarella. Bake in the hot oven.

Bake this dish the day before you enjoy it; you will love how all the sauce and cream sip through the pasta and give this dish that excellent, rich, savory taste.

Enjoy this dish, and just know I am only an email away if you have questions.

More like this Lasagna al Forno Recipe:

Endive and Ham Gratin

Scaloppine Al Marsala

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Baked Penne – Pasticcio Di Pasta Al Forno

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Beef Lasagne Al Forno

5 from 9 votes
Lasagne al forno
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 3 hours
Servings: 6
Author: Giangi Townsend
Lasagne al Forno is a delightful thin wide flat sheet pasta covered with the perfect meat tomato sauce, cheese, and bechamel cream within alternating layers and baked in the oven.
Print Pin

Ingredients 

  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup white wine, or warm water
  • 2 pounds ground sirloin
  • 15 ounces can of whole tomatoes
  • 3 garlic, whole
  • fresh basil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup unbleached all purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup mozzarella, shredded

Instructions

PASTA PREPARATION

  • Place the eggs, flour, and salt into the bowl of your mixer fitted with the bread blade. Mix slowly and add water as needed to the dough. Once the dough is well blended, not flaky or too wet (add more flour if this is the case) remove, place it on the cutting board, and cover with a bowl. Let rest for 10 minutes or until ready to use.
  • Using the pasta machine, follow manufacturer directions to prepare long strips of pasta. I use Kitchen Aid pasta attachment and the last turn of pasta is with number 6. Cut them in strips 4 inches long.

SUGO PREPARATION

  • In a large pan warm the olive oil and add the garlic. Cook the garlic but ensure that it will not turn brown or burned. Toss the garlic and add the meat and cook until all the meat is cooked on the outside. Cut down any chunks of meat.
  • Add the tomatoes basil salt and pepper. Cook over medium-low heat for at least 30 to 45 minutes. Taste and rectify flavor if so needed

BESCIAMELLA PREPARATION

  • In a large heavy bottom pan over medium heat melt butter and add the flour. With a whisk mix well until a thick cream is formed.
  • Add slowly the milk constantly whisking making sure no lumps are formed. Add more milk as the sauce thickens. Add salt, pepper, and grated nutmeg as needed. The sauce should leave a thin layer of sauce on the back of a wooden spoon when it is ready.

ASSEMBLY

  • In a large pot with salted water and 1 tablespoon of oil cook 6 to 8 strips of pasta at a time. Cook for at least 5-7 minutes; they should be cooked, but not too tender. Remove from water with the assistance of a hand colander and place in a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. Repeat this process until all the pasta is cooked.
  • In a large baking pan cover the bottom with an even thin layer of tomatoes. Remove one at the time the past from the bowl of water, remove any excess water, and place flat on the bottom of the pan.
  • Cover the bottom of the pan. Add a thin layer of tomatoes sauce and spread evenly. Add a thin layer of Besciamella sauce over it, spread evenly. Add the shredded mozzarella. Cover with another layer of pasta.
  • Repeat the above process 1 or 2 more layers are made. When all layers are done, spread a thin layer of Besciamella, top it with tomatoes sauce. Spread remaining mozzarella on the top.
  • Cook in a hot oven set at 350 for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the sides are nice and bubbly.
  • Let it rest before serving. It can be cooked the day before, rested in the refrigerator, and warmed again for 30 minutes the day after. This will allow the sauce to sip into the pasta and increase the flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 737kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 222mg | Sodium: 286mg | Potassium: 723mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 720IU | Vitamin C: 3.3mg | Calcium: 236mg | Iron: 6.4mg

Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.

Did you make this?

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Originally published on April 25, 2012.

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