Mary Berry Lasagne with Mozzarella Recipe – Cheesy Beef Lasagne

There is something especially comforting about a lasagne with layers of rich beef ragu, tender pasta and a creamy cheese sauce, finished with bubbling mozzarella. This Mary Berry Lasagne with Mozzarella Recipe brings together mature Cheddar and Parmesan with the mozzarella topping for a hearty, golden-baked dish that suits family dinners and relaxed gatherings.

The recipe guides you through preparing the meat and white sauces, assembling the layers, and baking the lasagne until bubbling and golden. Continue below for the ingredients and useful equipment, followed by the cooking method, practical tips, serving suggestions, storage guidance, FAQs and nutrition information.

If you’re looking for more inspiration, explore our Mary Berry Lasagne Recipes guide for more delicious lasagne dishes from across the collection.

Equipment

Equipments for Mary Berry Lasagne with Mozzarella Recipe:

• Deep rectangular ovenproof dish — for layering and baking the lasagne.
• Large saucepan — for preparing the beef ragu.
• Deep frying pan — for browning the beef, if preferred.
• Wooden spoon — for stirring and breaking up the beef mince.
• Medium saucepan — for preparing the creamy cheese sauce.
• Whisk — for making the white sauce smooth.
• Grater — for grating the Cheddar and Parmesan cheese.
• Chopping board — for preparing the onion and garlic.
• Sharp knife — for chopping the onion and preparing the garlic.
• Measuring jug — for measuring the beef stock and milk.

Ingredients

Ingredients for Mary Berry Lasagne with Mozzarella Recipe:

This Mary Berry Lasagne with Mozzarella Recipe combines a rich beef and tomato sauce with a creamy white sauce, lasagne sheets, and plenty of melted cheese. The addition of mozzarella gives the top a deliciously golden, bubbling finish, while mature Cheddar and Parmesan add extra flavour. These ingredients create a comforting, hearty lasagne that is ideal for a family dinner or special occasion.

Ingredient	Quantity
Olive oil	2 tbsp
Onion, finely chopped	1 large
Garlic cloves, crushed	2
Beef mince	500g
Tomato purée	2 tbsp
Chopped tomatoes	400g
Beef stock	150ml
Dried oregano	1 tsp
Dried basil	1 tsp
Salt	To taste
Freshly ground black pepper	To taste
Butter	50g
Plain flour	50g
Whole milk	600ml
Mature Cheddar cheese, grated	75g
Freshly grated nutmeg	A pinch
Lasagne sheets	9–12 sheets
Mozzarella, sliced or grated	125g
Parmesan cheese, grated	25g

How to Make Mary Berry Lasagne with Mozzarella

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and prepare a large ovenproof dish. Lightly butter the dish so the lasagne does not stick during baking.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook gently until softened, then add the crushed garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add the beef mince and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Stir in the tomato purée and cook for a minute to develop its flavour.
4. Add the chopped tomatoes, beef stock, dried oregano, and dried basil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
5. Cook the meat sauce uncovered for 25–30 minutes. Stir occasionally until it becomes thick and rich, with most of the excess liquid reduced.
6. To make the white sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in the plain flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
7. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Continue stirring until the sauce has thickened, then add the Cheddar cheese and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg. Stir until melted and smooth.
8. Spoon a layer of meat sauce into the prepared dish. Cover with lasagne sheets, followed by some of the white sauce, and repeat the layers until the ingredients are used.
9. Finish with a layer of white sauce, then scatter over the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Make sure the cheese is spread evenly across the surface.
10. Bake for 40–45 minutes until bubbling and golden. Allow the lasagne to rest for 10 minutes before serving so it cuts into clean portions.

Expert Tips for Mary Berry Lasagne with Mozzarella Recipe

A good lasagne benefits from taking a little extra time during preparation. In my experience, the most important step is simmering the meat sauce until it is thick enough and allowing the finished lasagne to rest before cutting. This helps the layers stay together and gives you neat, generous portions.

• Simmer the meat sauce until thick rather than leaving it watery. A thin sauce can make the lasagne sheets soggy.
• Allow the lasagne to rest for 10 minutes after baking. This makes it much easier to cut and serve clean portions.
• Assemble the lasagne fully before baking, making sure the pasta sheets are covered with sauce so they cook evenly.
• For make-ahead preparation, cover the assembled lasagne and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
• Fresh lasagne sheets can be used instead of dried sheets. They absorb less liquid, so reduce the meat sauce slightly if it seems too loose.
• Use full-fat mozzarella for the best melt and flavour. Spread it evenly over the top so every serving gets a golden, cheesy finish.
• You can assemble the dish up to 8 hours ahead and keep it refrigerated until you are ready to bake it.
• This lasagne freezes well. Cool it completely before freezing, and thaw it thoroughly in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

How to serve Mary Berry Lasagne with Mozzarella:

Serve this Mary Berry Lasagne with Mozzarella Recipe hot, preferably after a short resting time so you can cut neat slices. A fresh salad or green vegetables balance the rich cheese and beef sauce, while garlic bread or focaccia makes the meal more filling. It is perfect for family dinners, Sunday lunches, and casual gatherings.

• Serve with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette.
• Add steamed green beans or broccoli for a simple vegetable side.
• Offer warm garlic bread for soaking up the rich tomato sauce.
• Serve with slices of focaccia and dressed salad leaves.
• Garnish with a little freshly chopped basil or oregano.
• Pair with sparkling water, lemonade, or a light fruit drink.
• Finish with fresh fruit, lemon sorbet, or a light dessert.
• Serve hot as a comforting family dinner or weekend meal.

Storage

How to store Mary Berry Lasagne with Mozzarella:

Room Temperature

• Do not leave cooked lasagne at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
• Refrigerate leftovers promptly once they have cooled slightly.

Refrigerator

• Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat individual portions in the microwave until piping hot throughout.
• For larger portions, reheat covered in the oven until completely hot.

Freezer

• You can freeze cooked lasagne or freeze it unbaked for up to 3 months.
• Wrap it tightly in suitable freezer packaging to prevent freezer burn.
• Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating or baking.
• Reheat covered in the oven until piping hot throughout.

FAQs

Q: How do I stop lasagne from being watery?

A watery lasagne usually means the meat sauce contains too much liquid. Simmer the meat sauce until thick and rich before assembling the layers.

Q: Can I prepare this lasagne in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the lasagne fully, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Bake it when you are ready to serve, allowing a little extra time if it is very cold from the refrigerator.

Q: Why should I rest the lasagne before serving?

Resting allows the layers to settle after baking. Leave the lasagne for about 10 minutes before cutting so you can serve cleaner portions without the layers sliding apart.

Q: Can I use fresh lasagne sheets?

Yes, fresh lasagne sheets work very well in this recipe. They absorb less liquid than dried sheets, so reduce the sauce slightly if it looks too loose.

Q: Can I make this lasagne vegetarian?

Yes, replace the beef mince with cooked lentils or a mixture of roasted vegetables. Make sure the vegetable filling is not too watery before assembling the lasagne.

Q: What mozzarella is best for this lasagne?

Full-fat mozzarella is a good choice because it gives the best melt and flavour. Spread it evenly over the top for a golden, bubbling cheese layer.

Q: How should I reheat leftover lasagne?

Reheat leftovers covered in the oven until piping hot throughout. Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave, checking that the centre is fully hot.

Q: Is this lasagne suitable for freezing?

Yes, this lasagne freezes and reheats well. You can freeze it cooked or unbaked for up to 3 months, then thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating or baking.

Nutrition

This nutrition information is an estimate based on the ingredients and quantities used in the recipe. Actual values can vary depending on the type of beef mince, cheese, milk, lasagne sheets, and portion size. The figures below are intended as a general guide for one serving.

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	520 kcal
Protein	32g
Carbohydrates	38g
Sugars	9g
Fat	28g
Saturated Fat	14g
Fibre	5g
Sodium	780mg
Salt	2.0g