½teaspoonWhole Spices/Sabit Garam Masalaoptional for Desi flavor - 3 cloves/laung, one black cardamom pod/bari elachi, ½ inch cinnamon bark/daal chini ka tukra
½teaspoonblack pepper
½teaspoonchilli powder
½teaspooncoriander powderoptional
1 ½teaspoonsalt
4tablespoontomato puree
2tablespoonketchup
½teaspoondried oregano more to sprinkle between layers
White Sauce/Bechamel Sauce:
4tablespoonbutter
4tablespoonflour
2cupsmilk
½chicken cube
½teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonblack pepper
2tablespooncheddar cheese
For Layering
1box lasagne stripsabout 14 - 16 should be good
6tablespoonchilli garlic sauce to spread between layers or ketchup if mild spice is preferred
1 /2cupcheddar cheese
½cup mozzarella cheese
½teaspoonoregano
1tablespoonbutter
Instructions
Meat Sauce
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium frying pan or pot. Add sliced mushrooms, along with ½ teaspoon garlic paste. Saute till lightly browned. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes. Take mushrooms out of the pan and set aside.
Add the remaining oil in the same pan, and add chopped onions. Fry till light golden. Add whole spices, if using, followed by garlic paste. Saute for about a minute.
Add mincemeat and cook for a few minutes till meat changes color. Add salt, black pepper, chili powder, tomato puree and ketchup. Bring to a boil and then cook on simmer, till cooked through. The time duration will be less for chicken mince, and more for beef mince.
Add sliced mushrooms and dried oregano and cook for 2-3 minutes. Turn the heat off, and remove the whole spices from the meat after meat has been cooked.
White Sauce
In a small saucepan, melt the butter on low flame. Add flour, and whisk quickly for about a minute making sure the flour doesn't burn. A thick paste will be formed.
Add milk and keep whisking to make sure there are no lumps. Cook on low heat till bubbles appear on the side, and mixture is thick. Add chicken cube, salt and pepper to taste, and cheddar cheese. In case white sauce gets thick or there’s only a little bit left, add more milk and whisk.
Assembly:
Boil lasagna strips as per packet instructions. Set aside.
Take a glass pyrex square/rectangular baking dish. I personally used a 9 by 9 inch square one. Lightly oil the bottom of the dish and then spread the strips on it, cutting any edges if necessary. Place meat sauce over the strips then the white sauce. Spread 2 tablespoon of chili sauce if using.
Sprinkle with cheese, oregano and then start on the second layer (strips, meat sauce & white sauce). End the layers with lasagne strips on top.
Cover the top layer with white sauce, cheese & oregano. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 10 minutes at 200 centigrade till cheese melts, and is browned from the top.
Notes
Reserve the best lasagne strips for the top and if there are any torn pieces, put them in the middle.
Cut with a sharp serrated piece to be able to cut square pieces showing all the layers.