Lasagna is one of those meals that shows up in our home on the nights when I want something simple, comforting, and guaranteed to be eaten without fuss. Some days I make everything from scratch — homemade durum noodles, homegrown tomatoes simmered down into sauce, the whole thing. Other days I boil a box of noodles, open a jar of pasta sauce, and call it good. Both versions are real, and both taste like home.

The real secret of this lasagna isn’t perfection or fancy technique. It’s the creamy white sauce recipe, inspired by my grandma, made with fresh-milled flour, and the way the whole dish comes together with just a handful of familiar, reliable ingredients. It’s simple in the best way — the kind of meal every single person around the table loves, no matter how the day has gone.

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This is our everyday lasagna. Flexible, unfussy, and comforting. Make it entirely from scratch or rely on shortcuts when you need to — it all works. And now it finally has a place here in the Tevah recipe collection.

Serves: 6–8 · Prep time: ~30 minutes · Bake time: 35–45 minutes

Ingredients

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Lasagna

• 9 lasagna noodles, pre-cooked according to package directions
• Shredded cheese for topping (mozzarella, cheddar, or a mix)

Tomato Meat Sauce

• 1–1.5 lb (450–680 g) ground beef (or another ground meat)
• 1 large jar (about 4 cups / 1 L) pasta sauce or equivalent crushed tomatoes
• One can tomato paste (if using plain tomatoes)
• 1–2 tsp onion powder
• 1–2 tsp dried basil
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1–2 tsp chicken bouillon
• 1–2 tsp brown sugar

White Sauce

• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 tbsp flour (Tevah Stoneground Baking Blend or Red Fife)
• 3 cups milk or a milk/cream blend
• 1–2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp chicken bouillon
• 1–2 tsp white sugar
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1/2 cup cream cheese
• Optional: 1/2–1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Optional Veggies

• Spinach (fresh or frozen)
• Thinly sliced zucchini
• Mushrooms or other mild vegetables

Instructions

1. Pre-cook the noodles.
   Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside on a lightly oiled plate or tray so they do not stick.
2. Make the tomato meat sauce.
   Brown the ground beef in a skillet, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Drain if necessary. Add the pasta sauce (or tomatoes and tomato paste), then season with onion powder, basil, Worcestershire sauce, chicken bouillon, brown sugar, and additional salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently while you prepare the white sauce.
3. Make the white sauce.
   In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk into a smooth roux. Cook 1–2 minutes. Gradually add the milk or cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until thickened and gently bubbling. Season with onion powder, bouillon, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir in optional cream cheese or Parmesan until melted.
4. Add optional veggies.
   Stir spinach, zucchini, or other vegetables into the hot white sauce. This keeps them tender and tucked into the creamy layer.
5. Preheat the oven.
   Set oven to 375°F (190°C).
6. Assemble the lasagna.
   In a 9×13-inch dish:
   • Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
   • Lay down 3 noodles.
   • Spread a generous layer of meat sauce.
   • Add 3 more noodles.
   • Spread the full layer of white sauce (with veggies, if using).
   • Top with the final 3 noodles.
   • Spread the remaining meat sauce over the top.
   • Cover generously with shredded cheese.
7. Bake.
   Cover with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, browned, and bubbly.
8. Rest & serve.
   Let the lasagna rest 10–15 minutes before slicing so it holds together. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

• Use pre-cooked noodles for this version — no-boil noodles behave differently.
• Homemade durum noodles make this extra special, but boxed noodles work perfectly.
• Feel free to use jarred pasta sauce or fully homemade sauce — both are delicious.
• Cheese choices are flexible; use whatever your family enjoys.
• The simple white sauce is what makes this lasagna comforting and universally loved.

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