This Filipino Style Lasagna is one of my favourite meals. It is rich, hearty and served with the classic filipino sweet sauce, which we also use in Filipino style spaghetti. It is so tasty, don't be surprised if your guests go for a second serving. This delicious filipino style lasagna is perfect for birthdays, parties or any occasions.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- crowd favourite.
- best dish to bring to a potluck.
- perfect for any occasion.
- customize with your choice of meat.
- packed with flavours for a hearty meal.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR FILIPINO STYLE LASAGNA
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Lasagna Noodles: Use any variety you like. You can find them in any grocery store pasta section. Check and follow the packaging instructions and adjust accordingly.
- Beef: Ground beef is what I used for this recipe. Because we are using lean ground beef there is no need to drain the oil after its cooked.
- Onion: white or yellow onions is totally fine.
- Garlic: Must haves!
- Bell Peppers: we are using red bell pepper. You can also use green bell pepper.
- Sweet Sauce: We are mixing tomato sauce, tomato paste and banana ketchup to make our sweet sauce. UFC Banana ketchup brand, you will find them in the asian store and grocery store "international section''.
- Bechamel Sauce: We need unsalted butter, milk and flour to make the white sauce for lasagna. The sauce should be thick enough, not watery to avoid leakage between the layers.
- Seasonings: Italian seasonings, salt and pepper to taste.
- Cheese: Mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese for extra cheesy flavours. However, I used cheddar cheese for this recipe, only available on my pantry. Mozzarella is highly recommended if you have it, but you can play around and add different cheeses for extra cheesiness.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Meat Sauce or Pasta Sauce
Step 1: Start cooking the Meat Sauce
In a large wok over medium heat, heat oil. Sautè onion, garlic and red bell peppers for 2 minutes. Add lean ground beef and mix everything together until well distributed.
Cook and stir occasionally to break into pieces for about 6-7 minutes or until light brown. No need to drain the oil as we are using lean ground beef.
Sautè onion, garlic and red bell peppers Add ground beef
Pour the sweet sauce (tomato sauce, tomato paste and banana ketchup) and beef broth. Stir in sugar and Italian seasonings. Adjust the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
Add the sweet sauce Mix everything together
Béchamel Sauce or White Sauce
Step 2: Make the bèchamel sauce or white sauce.
In over medium heat pan, melt some butter. Add flour and stir well to make a smooth paste. Stir for about three to four minutes or until you will see a bubble. This will get burn easily so make sure you keep an eye on it.
melt the butter add flour and stir
Slowly pour the milk to the mixture and whisk together until lump-free or smooth. Stir regularly for five to six minutes until the sauce has thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
Lasagna Noodles
Step 3: Cook Lasagna Noodles
In a large pan, add water, oil and salt bring it to boil. Add lasagna noodles, and cook. Make sure to check and follow the packaging instruction and adjust accordingly.
Assembly
Step 4: To assemble Filipino Style Lasagna
The recipe works best in a 13x9 lasagna pan or a baking dish pan which yields 12 servings with 3 layers. You will need about 15 pieces of noodles. To start, brush the pan with oil to avoid sticking. Add a thin layer of meat sauce, in the bottom of a baking dish. Spread an even layer of white sauce. Make a layer of cooked lasagna noodles. Repeat the layers two times. Top with a final layer of noodles, white sauce, cheese and parmesan.
Step 5: Bake
Bake in a preheated oven 175 Celsius for 25-30 minutes or until completely heated through and cheese is melted. Remove from the heat and allow to rest about 15 minutes before cutting. Enjoy your Filipino Style Lasagna!
Viola!!! Doesn't it look amazing!
Did you make this Filipino Style Lasagna today? I'd love to hear on the comment section below. Or let's get social! Follow or tag me on Facebook and Instagram.
Check out more Filipino Recipes
Recipe
Filipino Style Lasagna
Ingredients
Noodles
- 15 pieces lasagna noodles
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 small onion peeled and finely chopped
- 5 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 1 small red or green bell pepper seeded and finely chopped
- 2½ pounds ground beef
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup banana ketchup
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- ½ cup beef broth
- 2½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon italian seasonings
- salt and pepper to taste
Bèchamel or White sauce
- 1 cup butter
- ¾ cup flour
- 5 cups milk
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Start cooking the meat sauce
- In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil. Sautè onion, garlic and red bell peppers for two minutes.
- Add lean ground beef and mix everything together until well distributed. Cook and stir occasionally to break into pieces for about six to seven minutes or until light brown. No need to drain the oil as we are using lean ground beef.
- Pour tomato sauce, banana ketchup and beef broth. Stir in sugar and Italian seasonings. Adjust the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
Make the bèchamel or white sauce
- In over medium heat pan, melt some butter.
- Add flour and stir well to make a smooth paste. Stir for about three to four minutes or until you will see a bubble. This will get burn easily so make sure you keep an eye on it.
- Slowly pour the milk to the mixture and whisk together until lump-free or smooth. Stir regularly for five to six minutes until the sauce has thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook the noodles
- In a large pan, add water, oil and salt bring it to boil. Add lasagna noodles, and cook. Make sure to check and follow the packaging instructions and adjust accordingly.
Assembly
- Brush the pan with oil to avoid sticking. Add a thin layer of meat sauce, in the bottom of a baking dish. Spread an even layer of white sauce. Make a layer of cooked lasagna noodles. Repeat the layers two times.
- Top with a final layer of noodles, white sauce, cheese and parmesan.
Bake
- Bake in a preheated oven 175°C for 25-30 minutes minutes or until completely heated through and cheese is melted.
Tanner says
Filipino spaghetti in lasagna form but also different … very good