All ingredients ready? Let's begin!
Preheat the oven to 360°F.
To make the meatballs combine the mince, garlic, parsley, and egg and mix well by hand into a smooth paste.
Shape the meat mixture into golf size balls. The yield should be around 20 balls.
Dust the meatballs with flour and fry in a deep, large frying pan or skillet until golden brown on all sides. Drain meatballs on paper toweling.
Keep the skillet aside for cooking the tomato sauce.
Heat the butter and brown the flour in a medium saucepan, and stir gently.
Add the milk slowly while stirring to avoid clumping.
Add the bay leaves and bring to the boil.
Turn down the heat, simmer for 2 to 3 minutes while stirring.
Add the mustard, half the parmesan, and season to taste.
Continue simmering for 5 minutes, remove saucepan, and set aside.
Now let’s prepare the tomato sauce. Reheat the skillet, spoon off excess oil and fat from the meatballs.
At a medium temperature, add the onions and garlic.
Fry the onions until soft and translucent.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 5 minutes while stirring.
Throw in the wine and bring to the boil; continue stirring.
Add the passata and oregano and turn down the heat.
Simmer for 40 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken.
Add sugar and additional seasoning, add the meatballs, continue simmering for 5 minutes, and set aside.
The layering is next, grease a 9 x 13-inch glass baking dish with softened butter. If preferred, leave out the butter, then proceed to the next step.
Spoon the tomato sauce into the baking dish covering the base of the dish entirely.
Place the first layer of lasagna sheets next, do not overlap the sheets. Trim them if necessary.
Spoon in another layer of the tomato sauce, and follow with a layer of white sauce.
Mix the ricotta and mozzarella cheese and scatter on top of the sauce. Add a second layer of lasagna sheets and repeat the process with the sauces and the cheese mix.
Put all the meatballs on the top, add the rest of the parmesan last.
Sprinkle with some smoked paprika sauce for an extra touch.
Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes or until the cheese starts bubbling.
Remove from the oven and garnish with the basil.
Enjoy your Homemade Meatball Lasagna!