Why You’ll Love this Simple Lasagna with White Sauce
Why spend hours in the kitchen when you can make this deliciously easy lasagna? This recipe combines creamy white sauce with savory meat and perfectly cooked noodles for a comforting meal that’ll impress your family.
The homemade white sauce, infused with onion powder, creates a velvety texture that store-bought versions just can’t match. No ricotta needed! And those layers of parmesan cheese? Divine.
I love how this recipe simplifies the traditional process. Just boil noodles, make your sauces, layer, and bake.
Perfect for busy weeknights when you crave homemade goodness without the fuss.
What Ingredients are in Simple Lasagna with White Sauce?
This easy lasagna combines the comfort of classic pasta with a creamy white sauce that’s absolutely divine. Unlike traditional recipes that call for ricotta cheese, this version uses a homemade white sauce that creates a velvety, rich texture throughout the dish.
I’m always impressed by how these simple ingredients transform into something so satisfying when layered together and baked to perfection.
- 1/2 pound lasagna noodles
- 1/2 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup margarine
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2 cups milk
What makes this recipe so appealing is its flexibility. You can easily substitute ground turkey for beef if you’re looking for a lighter option, or add more vegetables to the sauce for extra nutrition.
The white sauce might seem intimidating if you’ve never made one before, but trust me, it’s much easier than it sounds. Just remember to add the milk slowly while stirring to prevent lumps, and you’ll have a smooth, creamy sauce that elevates this lasagna to restaurant quality.
How to Make this Simple Lasagna with White Sauce
This lasagna comes together in three main components: the noodles, the meat sauce, and that dreamy white sauce. Start by boiling 1/2 pound of lasagna noodles according to package directions.
While those are bubbling away, brown 1/2 pound of ground beef or turkey in a skillet with 1 chopped onion. There’s something so satisfying about that sizzle when meat hits a hot pan, isn’t there?
Once the meat is no longer pink, add your chopped green pepper, salt, pepper, and a 6-ounce can of tomato sauce. Then comes the flavor magic—stir in 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon each of basil, oregano, and sugar, plus a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Let this mixture simmer briefly to marry those flavors.
Now for the white sauce, which might sound fancy but is actually quite simple. In a separate saucepan, melt 1/3 cup of margarine over medium heat.
Once it’s melted, create a paste by stirring in 1/8 teaspoon onion powder, some pepper, salt, and 1/3 cup of flour. The trick to a smooth sauce? Add the 2 cups of milk gradually, stirring constantly. Think of it as a little arm workout while you cook!
Keep stirring until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. When everything’s ready, it’s assembly time—layer white sauce, noodles, meat sauce, and Parmesan cheese in a baking dish, then repeat those layers.
For easier preparation, you could use a KitchenAid stand mixer to quickly blend your white sauce ingredients to perfect smoothness.
A premium stand mixer would make this recipe even easier by allowing you to prepare both the meat mixture and white sauce with minimal effort.
Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. The hardest part? Waiting those final 10-15 minutes after it comes out of the oven before diving in.
But trust me, that rest time allows the lasagna to set up perfectly, making it much easier to serve without it falling apart on the plate.
Simple Lasagna with White Sauce Substitutions and Variations
While the classic version of this lasagna is absolutely delicious, there’s plenty of room to play with substitutions and variations that can accommodate dietary restrictions or simply switch up the flavor profile.
For a lighter version, swap ground beef for turkey or even finely chopped mushrooms for a vegetarian option.
Can’t have dairy? Try using a plant-based margarine and non-dairy milk for the white sauce. The herbs are flexible too—throw in some rosemary or thyme if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
Not a fan of green peppers? Red ones are sweeter, or leave them out entirely!
What to Serve with Simple Lasagna with White Sauce
A perfect lasagna deserves perfect companions on your dinner table.
I always opt for a crisp garden salad with tangy vinaigrette to cut through the rich creaminess of the white sauce. Some garlic bread? Non-negotiable—you’ll want it for sopping up every last bit of that delicious sauce.
For vegetables, roasted asparagus or broccoli work wonderfully, their slight bitterness complementing the savory lasagna.
A light red wine, perhaps a Chianti or Pinot Noir, makes the meal complete.
Who needs fancy restaurants when this combination transforms your dining room into an Italian getaway?
Final Thoughts
After making this simple lasagna recipe countless times, I’ve come to appreciate how truly versatile and forgiving it is. You can swap ground beef for turkey, adjust seasonings to your taste, or even sneak in extra veggies if you’re feeling virtuous.
That homemade white sauce really elevates it beyond your basic lasagna. What I love most? It’s fancy enough for Sunday dinner but simple enough for a weeknight. The leftovers might even taste better the next day, if they last that long.
Why not make this your go-to comfort food when nothing else will do? Much like Wendy’s famous chili, this lasagna uses common ingredients that transform into something extraordinary with the right technique. For a complete Italian dinner experience, serve alongside garlic bread and a fresh Caesar salad.
