100-Layer Lasagna

Instructions

• Lay down about 6 feet (1.8 meters) of tinfoil on a flat surface. Place place 4 clusters of 2 lasagna noodles towards the left half of the foil sheet, leaving about a ½-inch (1 cm) gap in between each cluster.
• Fold the right half of foil over the noodles, pressing flat. To help you see where the noodles are, run your finger along the edges of the noodles to create a rough outline in the foil.
• Fold the top and bottom flaps of foil over, creasing and pressing flat.
• Flip the foil sheet onto the table so that it’s now standing, then arrange into a square box, using the 4 groups of noodles as a visual guide. Fold and crease over any excess foil to join the ends together, then set aside.
• In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Whisk in the flour, cooking until the mixture reaches a light golden color.
• Slowly drizzle in the milk and bring to a boil, whisking constantly until smooth. Mix in salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil.
• Transfer the béchamel to a large bowl and press plastic wrap onto the surface of the sauce to prevent a skin from forming. Set aside.
• Heat oil in a very large pot over high heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the onions, carrots, and celery and cook until the vegetables have started to sweat but aren’t browning.
• Add in the ground beef and use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the meat into small pieces.
• Cook the beef, stirring occasionally, until half of the liquid has evaporated.
• Add in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, chicken stock, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine evenly and breaking up any last lumps.
• Turn down the heat to low, and simmer, covered, for about 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
• To assemble, line a greased 9x9-inch (23x23-cm) square baking pan with 2 sheets of foil that extend over the sides.
• Spread a thin layer of béchamel on the lined baking pan and top with 2 lasagna noodles. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce evenly across the noodles, followed by a thin layer of béchamel. Repeat the layering process, following the order of: 2 noodles, meat sauce, and béchamel. Alternate the direction of the lasagna sheets after every layer.
• After 50 layers, place the foil box over the lasagna, helping it stay upright and stable.
• Continue with the layering process until the 99th layer.
• Sprinkle Parmesan on top, then cover the whole lasagna with foil.
• Bake for about 1½ hours, uncovering the foil halfway, until the top is a deep golden brown.
• Cool for at least 2 hours, then carefully lift out the lasagna with the foil sleeves onto a large cutting board.
• Peel away the foil walls, then sprinkle the top of the lasagna generously with chives.
• Cut and serve.
• Enjoy!