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Lasagna al Pesto

Lasagna al Pesto

Lasagna al Pesto is a cheesy Italian dish made with pasta, three cheeses, and a creamy basil pesto sauce, perfect for cold weather.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 756 kcal

Equipment

  • Baking dish (9x9 inches)
  • large pot
  • Measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

Bechamel Pesto Sauce

  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 1.5 cups whole milk
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1.5 cups basil pesto

Cheese Mixture

  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 0.33 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 0.5 Tablespoon dried basil or 2 Tablespoons fresh, chopped
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Lasagna

  • 5 noodles lasagna approximately ⅓ box
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 6 Tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

Prepare the Noodles

  • Cook the noodles in a large pot of water as per package direction. When al dente, drain and toss with a little olive oil to help prevent sticking. Set aside.

Make the Pesto Béchamel Sauce

  • Make your basil pesto, if not done already.
  • In a medium or large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. When melted, add the flour and stir to combine. Cook 30-60 seconds.
  • Whisk in the milk, salt, and black pepper. Cook on a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens, approximately 7-10 minutes.
  • Remove the sauce from the heat. Add the pesto and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

Prepare Cheese Mixture

  • In a medium bowl, combine all of the cheese mixture ingredients. Season to taste with salt, basil, and pepper.

Assembly

  • When ready to cook, preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Spread ½ cup of the pesto sauce across the bottom of a 9 by 9 baking dish.
  • Cut the lasagna noodles in half to turn each one into shorter strips. Lay three strips across the bottom of the dish, slightly overlapping.
  • Dollop 1 cup of the cheese mixture over the noodles and gently spread across the noodles.
  • Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella on top of the cheese mixture, followed by 2 Tablespoons of Parmesan.
  • Scoop and gently spread ½ cup of the pesto sauce across the cheeses.
  • Repeat another layer of noodles, cheese mixture, mozzarella, Parmesan, and pesto sauce.
  • Prepare the top layer by laying out the third layer of noodles. Top with the remaining pesto sauce.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and 2 Tablespoons of Parmesan.
  • Cover with tin foil or a lid and bake for approximately 50 minutes.
  • The edges of the dish should be bubbling and the top cheese melted. Remove the lid/foil and finish baking 10-15 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.
  • Remove from oven and let sit 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

Notes

Use any sized baking dish, but something smaller like an 8x8 or 9x9 square dish is best to get the tall layers. This recipe is decently cheesy! If you want to go light on the cheese, cut cheese portions in half.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 756kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 33gFat: 55gSaturated Fat: 23gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 143mgSodium: 1503mgPotassium: 310mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2299IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 718mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Lasagna al Pesto, Pasta, Vegetarian
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