Recipe

Spiced Lasaniya Recipe

A spiced, aromatic layered dish with tender pasta, a boldly seasoned meat sauce, and a creamy béchamel, baked until bubbly with crisp edges.

By Matt Campbell

•

4.8

A single slice of baked spiced lasaniya on a plate, showing distinct layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy béchamel with browned, bubbly cheese on top

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If lasagna is comfort food, spiced lasaniya is comfort food with the volume turned up. Think warm spices blooming in oil, a sauce that smells like you meant to cook all day, and those cozy layers that somehow taste even better the next morning.

This version is traditional in my family-style sense: a fragrant spiced meat sauce, a silky white sauce, and a bake that gives you soft layers in the middle and crisp, golden edges on the sides. You do not need fancy ingredients or a culinary degree. You just need a little patience, a spoon for tasting, and permission to be imperfect.

A stainless pot on a stove with a rich red spiced meat sauce simmering, steam rising and a wooden spoon resting on the rim

Why It Works

Big aroma, bigger flavor: Blooming spices in oil wakes everything up, so the sauce tastes deep without needing hours and hours.
Balanced richness: Spiced tomato meat sauce plus creamy béchamel means every bite hits savory, tangy, and buttery all at once.
Clean slices: A short rest after baking lets the layers set, so you get neat portions instead of a delicious landslide.
Crisp edges on purpose: Baking uncovered at the end gives you those browned corners that everyone fights over.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

Refrigerator: Cool completely, then cover the pan or transfer slices to an airtight container. Refrigerate up to 4 days.

Freezer: Wrap individual portions tightly (plastic wrap plus foil) or store in freezer containers. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.

Reheating:

Oven (best): Cover with foil and bake at 350°F until hot, about 20 to 30 minutes for slices. Uncover for the last 5 minutes if you want the top to re-crisp.
Microwave (fast): Add a splash of water or sauce, cover loosely, and heat in bursts so the edges do not turn rubbery.

Small trick: If it seems dry on day two, spoon a little warm marinara or a splash of milk around the edges before reheating. It bounces right back.

Common Questions

What does “lasaniya” mean?

“Lasaniya” is a spelling and pronunciation you will hear in some households and communities for lasagna. The heart of it is the same: layered pasta, sauce, and a creamy component baked until set and bubbly.

Is this the Italian traditional version?

This is traditional in the way a lot of family recipes are: it reflects the flavors and method many of us grew up with, including warm spices and a silky béchamel. It is not meant to claim a single, universal Italian standard.

Can I make it without meat?

Yes. Swap the ground meat for lentils, finely chopped mushrooms, or a mix of both. Season the same way and simmer until thick.

Do I have to use béchamel?

Béchamel is what gives this the classic creamy, aromatic feel. If you are in a hurry, you can substitute a mixture of ricotta plus a splash of milk, but the texture will be more “curds and cream” than silky.

Do I need to boil the noodles first?

If you use no-boil lasagna sheets, you can skip it. If you use regular sheets, boil until just shy of al dente. They keep cooking in the oven.

Why is my lasaniya watery?

Usually it is one of three things: sauce not reduced enough, béchamel too thin, or slicing too soon. Simmer the meat sauce until thick, make a béchamel that coats a spoon, and rest the bake for 15 to 20 minutes before cutting.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

9x13-inch baking dish
Large skillet or Dutch oven (for the meat sauce)
Medium saucepan (for béchamel)
Whisk
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups and spoons
Foil

The first time I tried making “lasaniya” the way I remembered it from family tables, I did what every confident home cook does. I winged it. The result was tasty but chaotic, like a saucy casserole that refused to hold a slice. So I went back, took notes, and treated the sauces like they mattered. Reduce the meat sauce until it is bold and thick. Make the béchamel silky, not soupy. Let it rest before slicing, even if everyone is hovering with plates. Now it comes out exactly how I want it: fragrant, spiced, and layered like it has its life together.

Spiced Lasaniya Recipe

(4.8 Reviews)

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 55 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Servings 8

Ingredients

For the spiced meat sauce

2 tbsp olive oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb ground beef or lamb (or half and half)
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup water or low-sodium broth
1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 to 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp lemon juice or 1 tsp vinegar (to brighten)
2 tbsp chopped parsley or cilantro (optional)

For the béchamel

6 tbsp unsalted butter
6 tbsp all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk, warmed
1/2 tsp kosher salt (start here, then adjust to taste)
1/4 tsp black pepper
Pinch of nutmeg (optional but classic)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan (optional, for extra savor)

For layering

Lasagna noodles or sheets, enough for 3 layers in a 9x13 (typically about 12, depending on the brand and overlap)
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated Parmesan (for topping)

A wooden cutting board with small bowls of cumin, paprika, coriander, cinnamon, minced garlic, chopped onion, and shredded cheese next to lasagna noodles

Instructions

Preheat and prep. Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish. If using regular noodles, boil in salted water until just shy of al dente, then drain and lay flat on a sheet pan so they do not glue themselves together.
Build the spiced base. In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add onion and cook 6 to 8 minutes until soft and lightly golden. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Brown the meat. Add ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up as you go. If there is excess fat, spoon off a bit so the sauce stays rich, not greasy. Tip: Lamb and higher-fat beef often need a little more draining than lean beef.
Bloom the spices and tomato paste. Stir in tomato paste, paprika, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, chili flakes, oregano, and salt. Cook 1 to 2 minutes. This step is where the “spiced and aromatic” magic happens.
Simmer until thick. Add crushed tomatoes and water or broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick and spoonable. Stir in lemon juice and herbs. Taste and adjust salt.
Make the béchamel. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1 to 2 minutes until it smells slightly nutty. Slowly whisk in warm milk. Keep whisking until smooth and thickened, about 6 to 8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Note: If you are using salty Parmesan, you may want less salt. Stir in Parmesan if using.
Layer it up. Spread a small amount of meat sauce on the bottom of the dish, just enough to lightly coat it. Add a layer of noodles. Spread about one-third of the meat sauce, then drizzle about one-third of the béchamel, then sprinkle mozzarella. Repeat this exact layering one more time. Add the final layer of noodles, then spread the remaining meat sauce and remaining béchamel over the top.
Top and bake. Sprinkle Parmesan and a little more mozzarella over the top. Cover with foil (tent it slightly so cheese does not stick). Bake 30 minutes, then uncover and bake 15 to 20 minutes more until the edges are bubbling and the center is hot.
Rest, then slice. Let the lasaniya rest 15 to 20 minutes before cutting. This is the difference between neat layers and delicious chaos.

Optional crisp-edge move: For extra browned corners, broil 1 to 2 minutes at the end, watching closely so it does not burn.

Make-ahead tip: Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to overnight. Bake covered straight from the fridge, adding 10 to 15 minutes to the covered bake time, then uncover and finish as written.

A baking dish of lasaniya with a spatula lifting one slice, showing stretchy melted cheese and thick spiced sauce between pasta layers

Nutrition information is estimated.

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Spiced Lasaniya Recipe

Why It Works

Pairs Well With

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Homestyle Italian Bread

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Rustic Mango Lassi

Storage Tips

Common Questions

What does “lasaniya” mean?

Is this the Italian traditional version?

Can I make it without meat?

Do I have to use béchamel?

Do I need to boil the noodles first?

Why is my lasaniya watery?

Spiced Lasaniya Recipe

Ingredients

For the spiced meat sauce

For the béchamel

For layering

Instructions