Beef Lasagna

A few days ago a friend of mine gave me this recipe. Therefore, I decided to prepare lasagna for our dinner tonight. Indeed, the recipe was delicious and yummy.

Ingredients

250g lasagna sheets

2 tbsp oil

1 onion, finely chopped

1 carrot, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed

500g beef mince

5 tbsp tomato paste

2 x 400g canned tomatoes

2 cups of chicken stock

salt and pepper to taste

pinch of nutmeg

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp plain flour

2 cups milk

125 g mozzarella or cheddar cheese

Methods

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; season with salt. Add lasagna sheets, and cook until pliable and al dente, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water.
2. Meat Sauce: Heat oil in a saucepan. Add onion, carrot and garlic, cook until soft. Add beef mince, cook until brown. Stir in tomato paste, canned tomatoes and chicken stock. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Cover and cook gently for 20 minutes.
3. Cheese Sauce: Melt butter in a separate saucepan, stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes over gentle heat. Remove from heat, stir in milk. Return to heat, stir until thick and smooth. Season with salt, pepper and add mozzarella or cheddar cheese, stirring over low heat until cheese melts.
4. Preheat oven to 180 degree celcius. Pour 1/2 cup of the meat sauce into a lightly greased baking dish. Alternate layers of lasagna, meat and cheese sauces, ending with cheese sauce layer. Sprinkle with grated cheese, bake in oven for 35 - 40 minutes or until cooked through (test if cooked by pricking with a fork). Sprinkle with some herbs and serve hot.