Jamie Oliver's Lasagne: A Deliciously Simple Recipe

Jamie Oliver, renowned for his accessible and flavourful recipes, offers a take on lasagne that's both comforting and surprisingly easy to make. This isn't your grandma's lasagne (though she might love it!), it's a vibrant, fresh approach that highlights simple, quality ingredients. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of Jamie Oliver's lasagne recipe, focusing on key techniques and offering some helpful tips for achieving lasagne perfection.

Ingredients for Jamie Oliver's Lasagne

While specific ingredient quantities can vary depending on the size of your baking dish, here's a general guideline for the key components:

• For the meat sauce:

  • Olive oil
  • Onion, finely chopped
  • Carrots, finely chopped
  • Celery, finely chopped (mirepoix)
  • Garlic, minced
  • Beef mince (or a mix of beef and pork)
  • Canned chopped tomatoes
  • Red wine (optional, but adds depth of flavour)
  • Fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • Dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• For the creamy béchamel sauce (white sauce):

  • Butter
  • Flour
  • Milk
  • Nutmeg (freshly grated is best)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Other ingredients:

  • Lasagne sheets (oven-ready are easiest)
  • Mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • Parmesan cheese, grated

Step-by-Step Guide: Making Jamie Oliver's Lasagne

This recipe breaks down the lasagne-making process into manageable steps, ensuring a stress-free and delicious outcome.

1. Preparing the Meat Sauce (Ragù):

1. Sauté the vegetables: In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery (mirepoix) and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Brown the mince: Add the beef mince to the pan and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
3. Simmer the sauce: Stir in the canned chopped tomatoes, red wine (if using), basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook for at least 30 minutes, or longer for a richer flavour. The longer it simmers, the better it tastes!

2. Making the Béchamel Sauce:

1. Melt the butter: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Make a roux: Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a smooth roux.
3. Add the milk: Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring no lumps form. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens.
4. Season and finish: Stir in the grated nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

3. Assembling the Lasagne:

1. Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Layer it up: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of your baking dish. Top with a layer of lasagne sheets, slightly overlapping if necessary. Add a layer of béchamel sauce, followed by a layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Repeat the layers (meat sauce, pasta, béchamel, cheese) until you've used all the ingredients, finishing with a layer of cheese.
3. Bake: Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Tips for Lasagne Perfection

• Use good quality ingredients: The flavour of your lasagne depends heavily on the quality of your ingredients.
• Don't overcook the pasta: Slightly undercooked pasta will finish cooking in the oven.
• Don't overcrowd the baking dish: Allow space for the sauce and cheese to bubble up.
• Make it ahead: You can assemble the lasagne a day in advance and bake it the next day.

Serving and Variations

Serve Jamie Oliver's Lasagne hot, ideally with a simple side salad. For variations, consider adding vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach to the meat sauce. You can also experiment with different cheeses, such as ricotta or provolone.

This detailed guide should help you recreate Jamie Oliver's delicious and approachable lasagne recipe. Remember, the key is to enjoy the process and savour the wonderful flavours! Enjoy!