One of the best-known comfort foods sold in restaurants and in the frozen section of the grocer's is lasagne. Many cooks shy away from making it because it looks and seems complicated. Nothing could possibly be further from the truth. The different parts are cooked, assembled and baked in less than a couple of hours.

To begin, select the mince. It could be beef or a mixture of beef and pork, chicken, turkey, or tofu for vegetarians. Add herbs appropriate for the meat selected. Cook the mince and set aside. Add a mixture of diced vegetables to the same pan. The vegetables could be courgettes, onions, celery, mushrooms or anything the cook fancies. Once soft, add the mince. Add diced tomatoes, and for a secret ingredient, add Heinz tomato ketchup instead of tomato puree. This adds incredible flavour. Continue to cook until the ingredients are heated through. Turn the heat off and set aside.

The sauce is next, a simple cheese sauce or béchamel sauce will do. In a saucepan, add milk and heat to boiling. In another saucepan, heat butter or margarine and add flour. Whisk the butter and flour together and slowly add the milk. Whisk each addition of milk until the sauce is smooth. When the mixture thickens and starts to clump, add more milk.

Prepare the lasagne noodles according to the directions, or make noodles by hand. Set these aside, they will be used shortly.

In a baking dish, spread a layer of the mince mixture. Add a layer of sauce next, and top with noodles. Cover the entire surface of the sauces. Repeat the sequence, ending with the sauce. Top with cheese, cover with foil and bake. Take the foil off and bake a few more minutes to melt and toast the cheese topping.

There is nothing complicated about making a lasagne. Make it part of the regular menu, as it saves money by using leftover meats and vegetables. Serve it for special occasions with fresh bread and salad; the family will sing the cook's praises. Anyone can make a lasagne. It's easy and economical.