A Very Special Lasagna

And it really is! It is rich and so delicate in texture and flavors that it becomes an elegant dish for a first course or entree.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 lb  lasagna noodle
• 1  lb lean ground beef
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped onion
• 3  cloves garlic, minced
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 3  lbs tomatoes, peeled seeded,chopped or 3  lbs canned tomatoes, drained
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons seasoning salt
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh parsley
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh basil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon oregano
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

• BECHAMEL

• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 4  tablespoons flour
• 1  cup milk
• 1  cup chicken broth
• 1  chicken bouillon cube (optional)
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt

• RICOTTA FILLING

• 1  egg
• 1⁄2 lb ricotta cheese
• 1⁄4 cup  grated parmesan cheese
• 1⁄8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

• CHEESES

• 1 1⁄2 cups  grated parmesan cheese
• 4  ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 4  ounces  teleme cheese
• 2  tablespoons butter

Directions

1. Cook lasagne noodles in boiling salted water until"al dente", still firm to the bite.
2. Drain and keep them in cold water until ready to use.
3. Saute ground beef, onion, and garlic in olive oil until meat is no longer pink.
4. Add remaining ingredients and cook at a fast simmer until sauce is quite thick (about 30 to 40 minutes).
5. Preheat oven to 400*F.
6. For Bechamel, melt butter, add flour and cook, stirring with a whisk, for one minute.
7. Slowly add milk and chicken broth and bring to a boil, still using the whisk.
8. Taste and add chicken bouillon cube if needed.
9. Add salt.
10. For Ricotta filling, beat egg in a bowl and add remaining ingredients, stirring well with a fork.
11. IN the following order, layer in a lightly greased 13 X 9 inch baking dish; a little meat sauce, half of the noodles, half of the remaining met sauce, 1/2 cup BEchamel, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, half of the mozzarella, teleme, and ricotta filling; the remaining noodles and meat sauce, 1/2 cup Bechamel, 1/2 cup Parmesan, the remaining Mozzarella, teleme, Ricotta filling, the last of the Bechamel and Parmesan cheeses.
12. Dot with butter.
13. At this point the dish may be covered and refrigerated.
14. Bring to room temperature.
15. Bake at 400*F, uncovered, for 30 minutes, until bubbly.
16. The dish freezes well.