BEEF LASAGNE

Whether it is a pot luck or a casual brunch, lasagne is a delicious casserole like no other. Put together a crisp salad to go with it. Prep time 15 mins

Cooking time 1 hour 30 mins

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp olive oil

200g onion, finely chopped

180g finely chopped carrot

1 trimmed stick of celery (about 100g), finely chopped

2 beef bacon, chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 600g beef mince

2 tbsp tomato paste

125ml non-alcoholic red wine 800g canned chopped tomatoes 250ml beef stock

250g dried lasagne sheets

100g grated mozzarella cheese Fresh basil leaves, to serve

CHEESE SAUCE

50g plain flour

1 litre milk

80g grated Parmesan

A pinch of ground nutmeg

METHOD

Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat; cook onion, carrot, celery and beef bacon, stirring, until onion is soft. Add garlic, cook for a minute or until fragrant. Increase heat to high. Add mince and cook, stirring, until browned. Add tomato paste, cook, stirring for a minute. Add non-alcoholic wine and bring it to the boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until almost all the liquid is evaporated. Stir in undrained tomatoes and stock. Simmer over very low heat, uncovered, for about an hour or until mixture is thick. Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. To prepare cheese sauce, heat butter in a large saucepan. Add flour, cook, stirring, over medium heat until mixture bubbles and thickens. Remove from heat; gradually stir in milk. Cook, stirring, until mixture boils and thickens. Remove from heat; stir in Parmesan and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper. Cool for 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 180°C. Spread a little of the meat sauce into a greased 3-litre ovenproof dish. Top with a layer of lasagne sheets, overlapping slightly. Spread some of the meat sauce; drizzle with some cheese sauce. Repeat layers until all the ingredients are used. Top with mozzarella. Bake for about 40 mins or until golden and pasta is tender. If top browns too much, cover loosely with foil or baking paper. Serve with basil and salad, if desired.