If you’re a fan of traditional lasagna but crave something with a little heat and a lot of depth, this Smoked Lasagna with Chipotle Béchamel is about to become your new favorite dish. It takes all the layered goodness of lasagna—hearty meat sauce, tender pasta, and creamy béchamel—and infuses it with a subtle smokiness and chipotle kick that elevates the entire meal.
How to Make Smoked Lasagna?
The magic is in the béchamel. Instead of a plain white sauce, this version includes chipotle peppers in adobo sauce—adding a mild heat and rich, smoky flavor. Paired with smoked paprika and a hint of garlic, the chipotle béchamel brings complexity without overpowering the classic lasagna profile.
A hearty, comforting lasagna with a smokey, spicy twist that’s perfect for dinner parties or cozy nights in. Serve it with a fresh green salad and a drizzle of lime crema or sour cream if you want to balance the heat.
Once you try this chipotle-infused version, regular lasagna may never be enough again.
Traditional lasagna uses ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Ricotta adds creaminess, mozzarella melts beautifully, and Parmesan adds sharpness.
Yes! Lasagna can be assembled up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge. You can also freeze it before or after baking.
If you’re using no-boil (oven-ready) noodles, there’s no need to cook them first. Regular noodles should be boiled or at least soaked in hot water before layering.
Yes! Use gluten-free noodles or swap the pasta entirely for sliced vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or sweet potato.
Ricotta-based lasagna is common in the U.S., while béchamel (a creamy white sauce) is more traditional in Italian lasagna, especially in Northern Italy.
Ingredients
- 9 pieces Lasagna noodles No-boil variety recommended for ease
- 1 pound Ground beef Preferably lean
- 2 cups Marinara sauce Your favorite brand or homemade
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese Whole or part-skim
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese Shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese Grated
- 3 tablespoons Butter Unsalted
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour For thickening
- 2 cups Milk Whole or 2%
- 2 tablespoons Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce Finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour, whisking until it forms a paste.
- Slowly whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the chopped chipotle peppers and remove from heat.
- In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the chipotle bechamel sauce on the bottom.
- Layer 3 lasagna noodles, followed by a portion of the beef sauce, a dollop of ricotta, and a sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat layers twice.
- Finish with a generous layer of mozzarella on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
I don’t know about the chipotle. Seems odd for lasagna. Just stick to traditional, folks.
This recipe is goldmine! I made it for a party and got so many compliments. Thank you!
Yum! Used spicy marinara instead of regular. So good! 🔥
Pretty good! I used leftover chicken instead of beef and it worked fine. Will make again!
Using leftover chicken sounds like a great idea! I never thought of that. I’m gonna try it next time!
SMOKY lasagna? What is that?! Sounds weird. Not sure I will try this.
Lasagna noodles… do I really gotta boil or no-boil?? Just wanna make it easy lol.
Did anyone else have trouble with the bechamel sauce? Mine got lumpy. How do you prevent that?
This lasagna was amazing! The chipotle really adds a nice kick. My family loved it.
Not gonna lie, I burned it! But still tasted good somehow? Guess I’m lucky 😂
I forgot to buy lasagna noodles and used regular pasta instead… it was a mess but still kinda tasty, lol!
Using regular pasta sounds adventurous! Glad it turned out tasty. Maybe next time try with the right noodles for the full experience?
This lasagna is a game changer! The chipotle adds such a nice kick. My family devoured it!
I thought bechamel was just white sauce? This sounded fancy, but I don’t wanna make it from scratch.
Bechamel is a kind of white sauce, but making it from scratch is super easy! Just follow the steps, it’s not fancy at all.
Eh, it was okay. Didn’t blow my mind, but it filled me up. average.
I thought it was great! The smokiness was nice, definitely worth a try again!
This lasagna is FIRE! The chipotle adds such a nice kick, love it!
I totally agree! The chipotle gives it a unique twist. Can’t wait to try this myself! 😍
I don’t get why people put chipotle in lasagna. Isn’t that supposed to be Italian?
Best Lasagna I ever try!! 😍🔥
Not bad, but I think it was too spicy for my taste. I prefer traditional lasagna without the chipotle.
Spicy?? I thought it was just right! You can’t make lasagna without some pizzazz! 😂 Just add more cheese next time!
I totally get you! The chipotle can be a bit much if you’re not used to it. Maybe try it without next time? Still sounds yummy though!
We added bacon too, it was amazing! Who needs just beef?
Bacon? That’s a genius idea! I’ll have to try that next time. Thanks for sharing!
I dunno about bacon in lasagna… That sounds kinda odd to me. Just stick to beef.
Absolutely LOVE this recipe! So smokey and rich. Never going back to plain lasagna again.
Simple and delicious! Great dinner idea, everyone loved it. 😊
Made this for my family and they devoured it! Will definitely make again. Yum!
Too spicy for my kids. Gotta tone it down next time. Only gave it a 3.
I followed the recipe, but how am I suppose to mix the ricotta? It was a chunky mess. 😩
Maybe try mixing the ricotta with some milk or egg to make it smoother? Just a thought! 🤔