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Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary

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Beef Lasagne with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Orkney Smoked Cheddar

Beef Lasagne with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Orkney Smoked Cheddar

Published on July 9, 2016 β€’ Last updated January 28, 2019 by Elizabeth Atia
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A delicious, hearty, cheesy comfort food dish, ideal for scoffing on the couch in your pjs on a Friday night in front of the telly!

Beef Lasagne with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Orkney Smoked Cheddar

Travelling is all fine and dandy, but there’s something to be said for pottering about in the comfort of your own kitchen preparing a meal for your family.

It feels like an absolute age since I’ve spent time in the kitchen just pottering, what with working four late afternoon shifts in the week at our local shop and with all the time I spent cycle training for my recent bikepacking trip to Scotland.

Yesterday afternoon I partially caught up with imminent writing deadlines and in between catching up on a mountain of emails, piles of laundry and housework, I scraped together a rather delicious lasagne recipe using what little food there is in our house (I desperately need to do a supermarket shop but I’ve not got the time!).

Beef Lasagne with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Orkney Smoked Cheddar

This lasagne was inspired by half a packet of sundried tomatoes I found lurking in the back of the cupboard, the fact that the unopened packet of lasagne sheets was best before the 30th of June (while we were away in Belgium) and an unopened packet of Orkney smoked cheddar in the fridge.

As an aside, there are a lot of cows in Orkney, I found out recently.

A lot!

Orkney cows

I’m well familiar with Orkney smoked cheddar – it’s one of my most favourite cheeses and, since we stock it in our village shop it makes a regular appearance in my kitchen.

Surely all these cows weren’t for the sole purpose of cheese making?

I enquired from an Orcadian friend, and it turns out that it’s beef. Orkney Gold beef is a thing. A thing I have never tried! This needs to be remedied, but I have no idea where Orkney Gold beef is sold in Shetland! If anyone knows, please tell me!

Orkney Smoked Cheddar

So yes, the not-so-secret ingredient of my experimental lasagne dish yesterday was Orkney smoked cheddar.

It’s so incredibly good and, combined with Parmesan cheese, lends an incredibly rich cheesy flavour to the dish.

Proper comfort food.

I might have had two helpings while curled up on the couch last night with my husband while we caught the last half of The Other Boleyn Girl on the telly.

Friday night in, folks! πŸ™‚

Beef Lasagne with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Orkney Smoked Cheddar

Oh, and I made some bread sticks too, just because. Kitchen pottering, you know?

While pottering I came to the conclusion that I need to prioritise certain aspects of my life. There’s a source of tension I’ve been experiencing for the last few months which needs to be removed and I’m taking steps to remedy that.

This means that you’ll hopefully be seeing more spontaneous recipe posts on the blog like this. After all, that’s the whole reason I began writing Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary, to share my kitchen adventures. They won’t always be tried and tested recipes, rather like diary entries.

I’m not going to worry about creating perfectly styled photographs either. Keeping it real. See that wine stem in the top left hand corner of the top picture? It’s not in the photo because I kept drinking out of it while taking pictures as my lasagne cooled. I then ate my photograph. I always eat my photographs. It’s what I do.

I’ve missed my kitchen.

In the meantime, here’s my beef lasagne recipe with sun-dried tomatoes and Orkney smoked cheddar. It’s really rather quite nice! You might also like my post on Five Things to See & Do in Orkney in a Day, written after my bikepacking trip through the islands.

Beef Lasagne with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Orkney Smoked Cheddar

Beef Lasagne with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Orkney Smoked Cheddar

A hearty cheesy lasagne recipe made with Orkney smoked cheddar.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Author: Elizabeth

Ingredients

for the tomato sauce

  • 35 grams sundried tomatoes soaked in boiling water for 30 minutes
  • 1 tbsp Scottish rapeseed oil
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 500 grams Scotch lean beef mince 5% fat
  • 90 grams smoked pancetta finely chopped
  • Shetland sea salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree
  • 400 grams tinned chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 150 ml good quality beef stock I use Essential Cuisine
  • 1 handful fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 handful fresh basil leaves torn

for the cheese sauce

  • 40 grams butter
  • 40 grams plain flour
  • 600 ml full fat milk I only use Shetland Dairies
  • 180 grams Orkney smoked cheddar grated

to assemble

  • no cook lasagne sheets
  • 50 grams Parmesan cheese divided
  • freshly grated nutmeg
  • 50 grams Orkney smoked cheddar grated
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Instructions 

  • Heat the rapeseed oil in a saucepan over a medium high heat and gently cook the onion and the garlic with the dried oregano until the onion begins to soften.
  • Add the beef mince and the chopped pancetta and season well with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir occasionally until all the meat is browned.
  • Add the tomato puree and stir well.
  • Add the tinned tomatoes, beef stock and Worcestershire sauce and reduce the heat to medium low and leave to simmer with the lid partially open until the sauce is thick and reduced, about 15 minutes.
  • Stir in the fresh parsley and basil and set aside.
  • To prepare the cheese sauce, heat the butter in a small saucepan until melted and bubbling. Add the flour and stir to form a roux.
  • Remove from the heat and add a little bit of the milk, whisking constantly. Add the rest of the milk and return to the heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
  • Remove from the heat and add the grated cheddar. Stir until combined.
  • Preheat your oven to 200 C. Add a small spoonful of the beef sauce to the bottom of a small casserole dish and top with a layer of no cook lasagne sheets.
  • Top with a layer of tomato sauce and a layer of cheese sauce. Grate some Parmesan cheese over the top of the cheese layer and generously grate some nutmeg. Add another layer of lasagne sheets and repeat until your dish is full and you've no more sauce left, finishing with a layer of cheese sauce.
  • Sprinkle the remaining Orkney smoked cheddar and Parmesan over the top and bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and bubbly.
  • Leave to sit for 10 minutes before serving with salad and bread.

Environmental Information

Tried this recipe?Mention @TangoRaindrop or tag #elizabethskitchendiary - we'd love to see what you've been making!

OTHER LASAGNE RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Grilled Veggie Lasagne with Wild Garlic Pesto by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary
Lentil Lasagne by Supper in the Suburbs
Veggie Lasagne by Tinned Tomatoes
Vegetarian & Gluten Free Lasagne by Emily’s Recipes & Reviews
Veggie Packed Lasagne by Feeding Boys

LINKING UP WITH SOME BLOGGING CHALLENGES
No Waste Food Challenge guest hosted this month by Michelle over at Utterly Scrummy

Category: Beef, Hoof & Feather, RecipeTag: beef, lasagne, Orkney Smoked Cheddar, Shop Local, tomato

About Elizabeth Atia

Daydream adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Calls Shetland home.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. A

    July 18, 2016 at 1:22 am

    Wow, this looks gorgeous! I love Orkney Smoked Cheddar, and I can get it from my local supermarket despite being in southern Scotland, which is brilliant. It had never occurred to me to use it in cooking, though that’s probably because it gets eaten straight from the pack at the earliest opportunity! Such a great idea, I’ll have to try it.

    Reply
  2. Talya

    July 15, 2016 at 6:43 am

    I love lasagna and always looking to try out new renditons so thanks for this!

    Reply
  3. Dean of Little Steps

    July 13, 2016 at 10:32 am

    My daughter loves lasagne and this looks absolutely yum. A must-try in my books πŸ™‚

    Reply
  4. Jenni

    July 12, 2016 at 10:51 pm

    Lasagne is one of my favourite meals and this looks delicious x

    Reply
  5. Leandra

    July 12, 2016 at 8:04 am

    This looks so amazing. I can’t wait to try this for my boys. I know they’ll love it!

    Reply
  6. Cliona

    July 11, 2016 at 8:07 pm

    I rarely eat beef but sometimes I get a craving for something like lasagne and this sounds so good, The cheese looks so gooey and creamy, it’s really making me long for lasagne. Unfortunately I’d be the only one in our house to eat it πŸ™

    Reply
  7. Melissa Zia

    July 11, 2016 at 6:33 pm

    This lasagne looks absolutely amazing! I’m very tempted to make some lasagne now πŸ™‚

    Reply
  8. Zoe IKIWN

    July 11, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    Oh yum! Now this is my type of recipe! I love lasagne, and the smoked cheddar / sundried tomatoes combination here sounds like heaven on a plate. I will definitely be trying this πŸ™‚ x

    Reply
  9. Tanya Brannan

    July 11, 2016 at 1:45 pm

    I am an absolute cheese fiend, and loved smoked cheddar. Strangely it has never occurred to me to use it on top of a Lasagne. Something I need to rectify soon!!!

    Reply
  10. Anosa

    July 11, 2016 at 10:22 am

    A big mistake for me reading this post whilst hungry as now I want to lick this lasagne of the screen. It does look too delicious and I need to have some of these

    Reply
  11. Hannah

    July 11, 2016 at 9:57 am

    Oh my goodness this sounds incredible – I am so hungry now!!

    Reply
  12. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche

    July 11, 2016 at 8:45 am

    I am obsessed with lasagne! Love the idea of using smoked cheddar, bet it really takes it up a notch. Your lasagne looks perfectly saucy, I can’t stand a dry one!

    Reply
  13. Emily Underworld

    July 10, 2016 at 11:30 pm

    Since being vegan, I do miss a good lasagne! I’ll have to find a vegan alternative. Orkney sounds lovely!
    – Emily from http://www.emilyunderworld.co.uk β™‘

    Reply
  14. Corina

    July 10, 2016 at 10:14 pm

    I’m so impressed you could make this just after getting back from travelling! I love smoked cheddar too as it’s so full of favour but have never seen the Orkney one. It must be great on a lasagna!

    Reply
  15. Harriet from Toby & Roo

    July 10, 2016 at 8:40 pm

    That looks SO yummy! I have decided to make lasagne next week πŸ™‚ H x

    Reply
  16. Katy Stevens

    July 10, 2016 at 8:20 pm

    This looks and sounds delicious! I never tire of lasagne, it is one of my favourite dishes to cook and to eat.

    Reply
  17. Lisa (Travel Loving Family)

    July 10, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    This looks and sounds delicious. I love lasagne, this recipe has a nice twist to it

    Reply
  18. Claire

    July 10, 2016 at 8:10 pm

    Oh my goodness, this looks delicious – a great twist adding the smoked cheddar!

    Reply
  19. Jess

    July 10, 2016 at 6:55 pm

    This sounds gorgeous, lasagne is one of my favourite dishes, and I bet the Orkney smoked cheddar is delicious!

    Reply
  20. Claire Jacobs

    July 10, 2016 at 6:35 pm

    Wow this looks great! I’m big cheese fan and that’s not a brand I’ve tried yet so better add it to the shopping list

    Reply
  21. Sarahjane

    July 10, 2016 at 3:21 pm

    YUM!!! Lasagne is one of my favourite dishes to eat and to cook! This particular one looks fantastic!

    Reply
  22. Lisa @garlicandzest.com

    July 10, 2016 at 3:19 pm

    I wish you were pottering in MY kitchen! This looks delicious! We can’t get Orkney Cheese here in the states, but I’m sure I can rustle up some smoked cheddar! Definitely want to give this a go!

    Reply
  23. nicole

    July 10, 2016 at 3:08 pm

    I love when one ingredient inspires a whole recipe — this looks like an amazing lasagna that was properly inspired, too!! πŸ™‚ Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  24. Sarah

    July 10, 2016 at 2:59 pm

    I’m jealous. I’ve always had a difficult time finding smoked cheddar. Sounds delicious!

    Reply
  25. Katie Crenshaw

    July 10, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    This lasagne looks incredible. I love the indgredient list. It is making me hungry! I can’t wait to try this.

    Reply
  26. Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry

    July 10, 2016 at 1:52 pm

    The sound of the Orkney smoked cheese being added to the lasagne is a great twist on a traditional dish.

    Reply
  27. Kira C

    July 10, 2016 at 1:14 pm

    I love anything with cheese on top! That smoked cheddar is making me hungry!

    Reply
  28. Jessica

    July 10, 2016 at 11:18 am

    This is heavenly yummy! well, nothing more perfect than making a dish in your kitchen, The smoked cheddar is to die for. Haha

    Reply
  29. Rachel

    July 10, 2016 at 10:48 am

    This looks absolutely lovely but I do love the sound of the cheese, I am a bit of a cheese fan x

    Reply
  30. WhatLauraLoves

    July 10, 2016 at 1:40 am

    I absolutely LOVE making lasagne and this looks like a great twist on the classic. Will definitely try this xxx

    Reply
  31. Laura H

    July 9, 2016 at 7:27 pm

    Lasagne is one of my all-time favourites – it’s just such a homey dish! Just looking at that melty cheese I’m getting hungry!

    Reply
  32. William Gould

    July 9, 2016 at 4:04 pm

    I love lasagne and it’s so much better if you use high quality ingredients!

    Reply
  33. Tracey S Anderson

    July 9, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    I will certainly be making this yummy lasagne and look forward to trying Orkney Cheese which will be a new experience for me πŸ™‚ Looks and sounds so delicious πŸ™‚ Thank you for sharing πŸ™‚ X x

    Reply
  34. Lyndsey O'Halloran

    July 9, 2016 at 12:07 pm

    That looks amazing! Your recipes always make me so hungry!

    Reply
  35. Jordanne

    July 9, 2016 at 11:54 am

    This looks absolutely Delish! I love lasagne and this one is mouth watering. Your photos look amazing, makes me want to eat it straight from the screen.

    Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk

    Reply
  36. Angela Milnes

    July 9, 2016 at 11:47 am

    This looks absolutely gorgeous. I’ve not tried Orkney cheese. I’m interested to do so now! Angela

    Reply
  37. MissPond

    July 9, 2016 at 11:47 am

    Wowowowow! This looks amazing. We’ve had the Orkney cheese before and it is simply glorious, I’ll have to keep this in mind for next time we get our hands one some πŸ™‚

    Reply
  38. Katie Bryson

    July 9, 2016 at 9:11 am

    You really cannot beat a good lasagne… and yours looks utterly lush!!!! Good for you with the blog approach… I love it when I can just post a recipe coz I feel like it rather than feeling like it has to be the most perfect thing ever. I also eat my photos… total perk of the job eh?!!!

    Reply

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About Elizabeth

Adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Loves bikes. Calls Shetland home. Read More…

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“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.”

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