Lasagna with Ham and Cheese (Print-Friendly Version)
Elegant French-style lasagna with creamy cheese sauce and savory ham—quick, comforting, and crowd-pleasing.
# What You Need:
→ For the Mornay Sauce
01 -
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 -
1 small onion, finely chopped
03 -
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
04 -
3 cups whole milk, at room temperature
05 -
1 egg yolk
06 -
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
07 -
1 teaspoon kosher salt
08 -
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 -
1 1/2 cups grated Emmental or Swiss cheese
10 -
1 cup grated raclette or other melting cheese
→ For Assembly
11 -
1 pound fresh lasagna sheets
12 -
12 ounces thick-cut deli ham, sliced
13 -
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for greasing
14 -
1/2 cup grated cheese, for topping (Emmental or raclette)
# How to Make It:
01 -
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens to a cream sauce consistency.
02 -
Remove the pan from heat and stir in egg yolk, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Add 1 1/2 cups grated Emmental and 1 cup raclette cheese. Stir until smooth and melted. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
03 -
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish generously with butter and spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom.
04 -
Place a layer of lasagna sheets over the sauce. Spread one-quarter of the Mornay sauce over the pasta. Add slices of ham and a sprinkle of melting cheese. Repeat layers twice more. Finish with a final layer of pasta and remaining sauce.
05 -
Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese over the top layer. Ensure all pasta edges are covered with sauce to prevent drying.
06 -
Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
# Important Notes:
01 -
Use room temperature milk to prevent lumps in the sauce.
02 -
Taste and adjust sauce seasoning before assembling.
03 -
Let the lasagna rest before slicing to help the layers set.
04 -
Nutmeg enhances the French-style flavor of the dish.
05 -
Fully cover top pasta sheets with sauce to avoid dryness.