Homemade Lasagnette

Homemade Lasagnette is a simple and delicious alternative to the traditional layered version. It uses small pasta pieces mixed directly into a rich meat sauce instead of layers of sheets. This makes the preparation much faster while still providing all the classic flavours. It is a perfect choice for a family dinner on a busy weekday.
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Photo of the finished dish for the recipe Homemade Lasagnette

What makes homemade lasagnette a good choice?

This recipe is great because it combines everything into one pot before baking. You do not need to spend time layering pasta sheets or making a separate white sauce. The creamy sauce covers every piece of pasta to ensure it stays moist. Choosing homemade lasagnette means you get a comforting meal with very little effort in the kitchen.

Follow these simple steps for homemade lasagnette

Step 1
Prepare the base: Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat and add the finely chopped onion. Cook for a few minutes until it is soft and translucent. Add the minced beef and fry until it is browned all over. Drain any excess fat if necessary to keep the sauce light and pleasant.
Step 2
Make the sauce: Stir in the crushed garlic and tomato paste and cook for one minute. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and the crumbled beef stock cube with a little water. Add the oregano and let the sauce simmer for ten minutes. This allows the flavours to develop before you add the other ingredients.
Step 3
Combine ingredients: Turn the heat down and stir the double cream into the meat mixture. Add the dried pasta shapes directly into the pan and stir well. Season with salt and pepper to ensure the homemade lasagnette is well flavoured. Transfer everything into a suitable ovenproof baking dish.
Step 4
Bake the dish: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees and sprinkle the grated cheese over the top. Bake for 25 minutes or until the pasta is tender and the cheese is golden. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving to help the sauce thicken. Serve it straight from the dish while it is hot.

Tips to make homemade lasagnette even better

Using the right pasta shape is important for this dish. Small ruffled pasta or broken lasagne sheets work best to hold the sauce. Make sure there is enough liquid in the pan before baking as the pasta absorbs quite a lot as it cooks. If the sauce looks too thick you can add a small splash of water or milk.

You can also vary the cheese by using mozzarella for a stretchier topping or parmesan for extra saltiness. This homemade lasagnette is also very easy to reheat the next day for a quick lunch. Cover the dish with foil when reheating to prevent the top from becoming too dry.

You can also try these recipes: turkey in puff pastry, pork tenderloin stew with paprika or roast pork loin.

Ingredients

servings
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  • 500 g minced beef
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 400 g chopped tomatoes
  • 1 beef stock cube
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 200 ml double cream
  • 250 g dried pasta shapes
  • 100 g grated cheese
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking time

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Nutrition information

NUTRITIONper serving
  • Energy:3745 kJ / 895 kcal
  • Fat:58 g
  • - of which saturates:31 g
  • Carbohydrates:52 g
  • - of which sugars:6 g
  • Protein:39 g
  • Fibre:3 g
  • Salt:850 mg

People also ask

Traditional lasagnette is often made with small ruffled pasta shapes like campanelle or mafalda corta. If you cannot find these you can simply break standard lasagne sheets into smaller bite sized pieces. These shapes help the sauce in the homemade lasagnette stick to the pasta for better flavour.
You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When you want to eat it again just heat it in the oven or microwave until it is piping hot. You might need to add a tiny splash of water to keep the Homemade Lasagnette moist during reheating.
Homemade Lasagnette usually takes about 35 minutes to make. The time can vary slightly with the quantity and method. Check the texture towards the end.
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4.8 / 5 - (7 ratings)