6-Hour Lasagna

Instructions

• Make the bolognese: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook until the fat has rendered and the pancetta is crispy, 5–7 minutes. Remove the pancetta from the pot with a slotted spoon and transfer to a small bowl, leaving the rendered fat behind.
• Add the onion, carrot, and celery to the pot, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until softened, 5–7 minutes. Add the thyme leaves and garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add the ground pork and beef and season with 2 teaspoons of salt. Use the spoon to break up the meat into very small pieces. Cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pot, then return to the heat.
• Deglaze the pot with the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, and cook until the liquid is reduced by half, 4–5 minutes.
• Add the crushed tomatoes, milk, chicken stock, and cooked pancetta. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3 hours, until the sauce has thickened.
• Meanwhile, make the pasta dough: Add the flour and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Mix on low speed for 10 seconds, just until evenly combined. Add the eggs and mix on medium speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. If the dough seems too dry, add 1 tablespoon of water to help bring it together.
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 1 hour, until the dough does not bounce back when pressed.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Dust a baking sheet with flour and grease another with olive oil.
• After the dough has rested, cut into 6 equal pieces. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
• Set the pasta machine to the widest setting. Flatten a dough portion slightly and gently feed through the machine. Continue running through the machine, gradually working down to smaller settings, until the dough is ¹⁄₁₆ inch thick. Lay on the baking sheet dusted with flour and repeat with the remaining dough. Cut the noodles crosswise into 8-inch-long rectangles.
• Cook the lasagna noodles in the boiling water until just tender, 30–60 seconds. Remove from water and lay on the oiled baking sheet.
• Make the béchamel: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once the butter starts to foam, add the flour. Cook, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming, for about 3 minutes, until the raw flour taste has cooked out but the roux has not browned. Slowly pour in the milk and whisk until evenly incorporated. Whisk in the nutmeg and salt. Bring to a low simmer and cook, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, 8–10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature.
• Assemble the lasagna: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Spread ½ cup of the bolognese on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add a layer of lasagna noodles. Top with another ½ cup of bolognese and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. Add another layer of noodles and top with about ⅓ cup of béchamel and about ¼ cup of shredded mozzarella. Repeat to make 4 more layers, ending with a layer of lasagna noodles. Spread 1 cup of bolognese over the noodles. Top with the fresh mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
• Cover the baking dish with foil and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and cook for another 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Remove from the oven and let sit for 20 minutes.
• Garnish the lasagna with torn fresh basil, then serve with remaining bolognese sauce.
• Enjoy!