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Photo Credit: Elizabeth Newman

Giada's Mushroom and Bacon Lasagna (Vincisgrassi)

30 MINPrep Time
90 MINCook Time
8Servings
(2)
by Giada De Laurentiis
Beginner
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Newman
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This dish, which is essentially a lasagna, is a baked pasta that hails from the Marche region in Italy. There are many different versions of it out there, but the two main qualifiers are a ragu and bechamel sauce. For my version, I opted for a blend of mushrooms and bacon to give it a great savory, umami flavor, infused with my favorite herb: thyme. Bechamel is so creamy and comforting, and one of my favorite sauces with pasta. All together, this dish is the definition of comfort.

Giada's Mushroom and Bacon Lasagna (Vincisgrassi)

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Giada's Mushroom and Bacon Lasagna (Vincisgrassi)

Category

Main Course

Servings

8

Prep Time

30 minutes

Cook Time

90 minutes

Image of Giada's Mushroom and Bacon Lasagna (Vincisgrassi)

Ingredients

    For the sauce:

  • 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 5 cups whole milk (at room temperature)
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • For the lasagna:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 pound 8-ounces diced bacon

  • 2 pounds mixed mushrooms such as portabella (cremini or royal trumpet, diced)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt (divided)
  • 1/2 red onion (diced)
  • 1 carrot (peeled and diced)
  • 1 celery stalk (diced)
  • 2 garlic cloves (chopped)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 12 no-boil flat lasagna noodles
  • 2 1/4 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to form a smooth paste. Cook for 3 minutes whisking constantly. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth. Add the bay leaf and salt and bring the mixture to a simmer whisking occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Remove and discard the bay leaf.
  2. While that simmers, start the filling. Add the oil and bacon to a large skillet. Place the skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring often for about 15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and golden brown and the fat is rendered. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate. If needed, drain off all but 3 tablespoons of the fat from the pan. To the hot pan add the mushrooms and 1 teaspoon salt. Increase the heat to medium high. Stir with a wooden spoon for 15 minutes or until the mushrooms have released their liquid and are beginning to brown. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, thyme and remaining salt and cook until fragrant, the vegetables are soft and the mushrooms have browned, about 5 minutes longer. Deglaze with the white wine. Simmer until the liquid is almost entirely evaporated, about 4 minutes. Stir in the reserved bacon.
  3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9×13 baking dish.
  4. Ladle and spread 1 cup of bechamel on the bottom of the baking dish. Place a layer of pasta over the sauce breaking the pasta to fit the pan if needed. Spread 1 1/2 cup of the sauce over the pasta. Spoon 1/2 of the mushroom filling over the sauce and top with 3/4 cup parmesan cheese. Place another layer of pasta on top of the filling and repeat with the sauce, the remaining mushrooms and more parmesan. Layer another layer of pasta and top with the remaining bechamel and parmesan cheese. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly around the edges. Allow the lasagna to rest for 15 minutes before serving.
  5. Cooks note: This makes a 3 layer lasagna. If you would like more layers, simply switch to a slightly smaller baking dish and layer up!

Nutrition

Nutrition

Nutrition Serving Size
8
per serving
Calories
789
Amount/Serving % Daily Value
Carbs
54 grams
Protein
30 grams
Fat
50 grams
Saturated Fat
26 grams
Cholesterol
120 milligrams
Sodium
2427 milligrams
Fiber
3 grams
Sugar
12 grams
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4 comments

  • Author's avatar image
    William Heffner - Jun 09
    ★★★★★
    ★★★★★

    Made this exactly according to the recipe except I added a layer of chopped cooked chicken to boost the protein level. The result was certainly edible, however the called-for salt plus the saltiness of the bacon made it too salty for my taste. Also the bacon seemed to mask the subtle flavors of the mushrooms. My resident food critic pronounced it a waste of perfectly good bacon.

  • Author's avatar image
    Constance Trainer - Jun 09

    Recipe takes much longer than 30 minute prep. Just frying the bacon took that much time. Béchamel sauce amount is a tad low, I suggest making sauce recipe 1 1/2. Bake lasagna covered for 45 minutes, so lasagna noodles soften. Remove foil and continue baking until brown/bubbly. I added lemon zest and the juice of half a lemon to lighten heavy notes of bacon, cheese and whole milk. Delicious.

  • Author's avatar image
    Bob Shenker - Jun 09
    ★★★★★
    ★★★★★

    I loved this recipe. Very tasty. The only weak link is the lasagna noodles. They didn’t get soft enough to easily cut through, but maybe it was the brand I used (Barilla Oven-Ready)

  • Author's avatar image
    Sandra Marturano - Jun 09

    Can you use pancetta instead of bacon

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