STEAK AND SPINACH LASAGNA

Steps:

• Begin the meat sauce by whirring the tomatoes in the food processor to a puree of the texture you prefer; set aside.
• If you are using un-ground steak, trim the meat of fat and gristle and grind it (we use the food grinder attachment on our KitchenAid).
• In a heavy pan or pot, sauté the ground meat until browned, about 15 minutes.
• Add the chopped onion, mushrooms, and garlic and sauté until the onion is transparent.
• Add salt and pepper to taste, oregano, brown sugar, balsamic, and the tomato puree, and bring to a boil; reduce temperature, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes then uncover and let reduce until thickened, another 15 minutes, then set your meat sauce aside (can be made a day ahead and stored in refrigerator).
• Begin the cheese sauce by melting the butter in a saucepan over low heat, then while whisking sprinkle in the flour, salt, white pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne or Tabasco (if using); cook, whisking or stirring, for 1 minute.
• Raise temperature to medium-high and gradually add milk, whisking continually, until well-incorporated; bring to a light boil then reduce heat to low and cook while stirring for 1 minute.
• Remove sauce from heat, stir in the cheddar and Parmesan until cheeses melt; set aside (can be made a day ahead and stored in refrigerator - microwave cheese sauce for 2 to 3 minutes to make it easier to spread when assembling the lasagna).
• Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F; lightly oil the bottom of a 11x9-inch baking dish or lasagna pan.
• Begin assembling the lasagna (3 layers pasta, two layers of sauce mixtures): cover the bottom of the pan with one layer of 3 cooked lasagna noodles, then spread noodles with half of the meat sauce, then cover meat sauce with half of the cheese sauce.
• If using frozen and thawed spinach, press or squeeze as much liquid out of it as possible; sprinkle cheese layer with the chopped fresh basil, then spread the fresh or frozen spinach over.
• Top with another layer of 3 pieces cooked pasta, spread with remaining meat sauce, then remaining cheese sauce, and top with the final layer of 3 pieces cooked pasta.
• Combine the grated cheddar and Parmesan in a bowl, then sprinkle it over the top of the lasagna.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes and the cheeses are bubbly and golden; remove from oven, let stand for 10 minutes, and serve with salad, garlic bread, and balsamic roasted asparagus.