This is the Latina Fresh Beef Lasagne. It was described as ‘layers of delicious pasta in an Australian beef and toamto sauce with vegetables’.
This product was called Latina Fresh Lasagne in 2017, but then, we were disappointed by the lack of bechamel and the overly al dente pasta sheets. Seven years later, we tried this new version, which contained 19% pasta, 10% beef, 10% tomato, 7% tomato paste, and amongst other ingredients, red wine, spinach, onion, celery, and parmesan cheese.
The lasagne was cooked by initially covering it with foil and baking it in a fan-forced oven preheated to 200ºC for 30 minutes. Subsequently, the foil was removed, and it was baked for an additional 15 minutes before allowing it to stand for 1 minute before serving.
Upon serving, the layers of beef and tomato sauce were complemented by generous amounts of béchamel flowing between them. This added a nuanced balance without overpowering the dish with dairy notes. Instead, the béchamel contributed a delightful creaminess that harmonised with the richness and acidity of the tomato. The pasta sheets were an al dente texture, serving as a perfect conduit for the flavourful filling. Cubes of celery provided a subtle crunch without imposing a strong vegetable presence, contrasting with the carrots in the earlier version.
It was evident that this lasagne had undergone significant improvements in the seven years since our last purchase. While we may lean towards the richer meat flavour in the Pasta Master Beef Lasagne, we would gladly repurchase this version for a change in flavour.
This Latina Fresh Beef Lasagne contained 1.6 kg. It was produced in Australia and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2024.