French-Style Lasagna

I learned how to make lasagna this way when I worked in France. What makes it French-style is the use of a bechamel (white sauce) instead of ricotta, and Swiss (traditionally Emmental) cheese. Full of great flavor! I always get compliments.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 54 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 14 mins
• Calories: 490 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 9 lasagna noodles
• 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 ½ (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• ½ onion, diced
• ¼ cup diced green bell pepper
• 1 pinch herbes de Provence
• Garlic powder

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain.

Step 3

Combine ground beef, onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir until beef is no longer pink, 5 to 8 minutes.

Step 4

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in flour; cook for 1 minute. Pour in milk and heavy cream. Cook, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Spread 1/4 of the tomato sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover with 3 lasagna noodles. Spoon 1/3 of the beef mixture over the noodles. Spread 1/4 of the tomato sauce and 1/3 of the white sauce over the beef mixture. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, herbes de Provence, and garlic powder on top. Cover with 1/3 of the Swiss cheese and mozzarella cheese.

Step 6

Repeat layers twice, starting with noodles and ending with cheeses.

Step 7

Bake lasagna in the preheated oven until top is deeply browned, 30 to 45 minutes.