Best Pesto Lasagna Recipes

PESTO LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add lasagna and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• In large skillet over medium heat, saute onion in the olive oil until tender. Add spinach and stir. Remove from heat and stir in the pesto. In a large bowl mix ricotta cheese, egg, salt, pepper and nutmeg.
• In a 3 quart greased baking dish, layer the noodles then the spinach mixture, followed by the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Repeat the layers ending with noodles on top. Spread the Alfredo sauce over the top and sprinkle with parmesan.
• Cover with foil and bake in a preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes.

ROASTED VEGETABLE LASAGNA WITH PESTO CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease or line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Arrange zucchini, bell pepper, broccoli, and carrots in a single layer on the baking sheet. Coat with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; mix well.
• Roast vegetables in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 40 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish with one layer of lasagna noodles.
• Toss the roasted vegetables with Alfredo sauce and pesto until well coated. Spread mixture over the noodles in the dish. Place another layer of noodles over the vegetables.
• Mix ricotta cheese, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and spinach together and spread mixture over the noodle layer. Distribute mozzarella cheese evenly over the ricotta layer. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and oregano on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and cheese is melted, 30 to 35 minutes. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes to lightly brown the top layer, if desired.

SUPER-FAST SPINACH, PESTO AND CHEESE LASAGNA

Steps:

• Blend ricotta and Parmesan in medium bowl. Season cheeses with salt and pepper; stir in egg. Blend spinach and pesto in another medium bowl.
• Brush 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish with oil. Spread 1 cup pasta sauce in prepared dish. Arrange 3 noodles side by side atop sauce. Spread 1 1/4 cups ricotta cheese mixture over in thin layer. Drop 1/3 of spinach mixture over by spoonfuls. Repeat layering with sauce, noodles, ricotta cheese mixture and spinach mixture 2 more times. Top with remaining 3 noodles and 1 cup sauce.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover lasagna with foil. Bake 35 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with Fontina cheese. Bake lasagna until heated through, sauce bubbles and cheese on top is melted, about 15 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes.

PESTO POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Oil an 11x7x2 inch baking dish.
• Arrange a single layer of polenta in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread a thin layer of pesto over the polenta. Spoon half of the sauce over the polenta. Top with another layer of polenta and sauce.
• Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes. Turn on the broiler. Top polenta with cheese and pine nuts, and broil until cheese browns and nuts are toasted.

PESTO LASAGNA ROLLS

Steps:

• Position an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles 1 minute longer than the package directions for al dente. The pasta should be tender enough that it will roll without cracking. Drain well and rinse with cold water. Lay in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk, a large pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and is the consistency of a thin gravy, 6 to 8 minutes. Allow the bechamel sauce to cool slightly.
• Beat the egg in a large bowl and then stir in the ricotta, spinach, 1 1/2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, 1/2 cup of the pesto, a large pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Stir the remaining 1/2 cup pesto into the slightly cooled bechamel sauce.
• Brush a 13- by 9- inch baking dish with oil. Spread 1/4 cup of the pesto-bechamel sauce on to the bottom of the dish.
• Lay half of the cooked lasagna noodles on a clean work surface and spread 1/3 cup of the ricotta mixture evenly over each. Starting with a short end, roll each noodle up. As you make the rolls, transfer them to the prepared baking dish seam-side down. Repeat with the remaining noodles and ricotta mixture. Spoon the remaining pesto-bechamel sauce over the lasagna rolls and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake until the rolls are heated through and the sauce is bubbling, about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the cheese is browned on top, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper, if using, and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

CHICKEN AND SPINACH PESTO LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350, spray a 13x9" casserole or lasagna pan with nonstick spray.
• Heat oil in skillet over med-high heat.
• Cook onions (Kroger Frozen Chopped) and garlic (pre-minced garlic) untill transparent.
• Add Spinach; cook and stir about 5 minute.
• Add chicken; cook and stir about 5 minute.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• In large bowl, mix together ricotta, parmesan, egg, and pesto until thoroughly blended.
• Add chicken and spinach mixture to bowl and stir to combine.
• Spread 2 tbsp pesto in bottom of prepared pan.
• Layer 4 lasagna noodles, slightly overlapping.
• Top with 1/3 of spinach ricotta mixture and 1/3 of mozzarella.
• Repeat layers twice.
• Bake about 35 to 40 min or until hot and bubbly.
• Refrigerate any leftovers.

VEGGIE PESTO LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the yellow squash and zucchini and cook, stirring, for 4 to 5 minutes more. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce; bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Add salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar, if necessary.
• In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, spinach, pesto and season with pepper.
• Grease the bottom and sides of your lasagna dish with butter. Spread a little of the tomato sauce on the bottom of the pan. Lay 4 noodles across the bottom of the baking dish, overlapping by 1/2-inch. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta and pesto mixture evenly on top. Sprinkle with about a 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Ladle about 1 cup of sauce on top. Repeat layering in the same order. Layer the top layer of noodles and drizzle with the remaining sauce, then sprinkle with the Parmesan and remaining mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake in the center of the oven until the sauce is bubbling around the edges, about 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 minutes more. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

CHICKEN AND SPINACH PESTO LASAGNA

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add pine nuts and cook, stirring occasionally, until toasted and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a food processor.
• Place basil leaves, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup olive oil, and 4 cloves garlic in the food processor with the pine nuts. Blend pesto into a smooth paste, about 3 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and 3 cloves garlic; cook and stir until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add spinach; cook and stir until heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken; cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.
• Mix ricotta cheese, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and egg together in a large bowl. Stir in 1 1/2 cup pesto. Add spinach and chicken mixture; stir to combine.
• Spread remaining 1/2 cup pesto in the casserole dish. Arrange 4 lasagna noodles, slightly overlapping, in the bottom of the dish. Top with 1/3 of the ricotta spinach mixture and 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers twice, ending with mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and golden, 35 to 40 minutes.

PESTO ARTICHOKE SPINACH LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Mix pesto sauce and tomato sauce (mix to preference- if you like more pesto flavor use less tomato sauce).
• Mix cream cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup parmesan cheese, until smooth and creamy. Mix in spinach, artichokes and sundried tomatoes, until artichokes are in small pieces.
• Spread 1/3 cup pesto-tomato sauce onto bottom of greased casserole dish.
• Lay three lasagna noodles over pesto-tomato spread, trimming if needed.
• Spread 1/3 cup pesto-tomato sauce over noodles, followed by 1/3 of cream cheese/artichoke/spinach mixture.
• Repeat two more layers.
• Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded parmesan on top layer.
• If freezing- cover well and thaw before cooking.
• Bake, uncovered, 20-25 minutes, until cheese is melted and noodles are heated through.

SLOW-COOKER TURKEY PESTO LASAGNA

Steps:

• Cut three 25x3-in. strips of heavy-duty foil; crisscross so they resemble spokes of a wheel. Place strips on bottom and up sides of a greased 5-qt. slow cooker. Coat strips with cooking spray., In a large skillet, cook turkey and onion over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until turkey is no longer pink, breaking up turkey into crumbles; drain. Stir in Italian seasoning and salt., In a small bowl, mix 1 cup mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese and pesto. In prepared slow cooker, layer a third of each of the following: marinara sauce, noodles (breaking noodles if necessary to fit), turkey mixture and cheese mixture. Repeat layers twice. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese., Cook, covered, on low until noodles are tender, 3-4 hours. Turn off slow cooker; remove insert. Let stand, uncovered, 30 minutes before serving. Using foil strips, remove lasagna to a platter. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

EASY PESTO LASAGNA ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet with olive oil.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to the package directions for al dente. Drain and arrange in a layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese with 1/2 cup of the pesto. Divide the ricotta mixture evenly among the noodles, spreading it the length of each noodle. Divide 1 cup of the marinara sauce evenly among the 8 noodles, spreading it on top of the ricotta mixture.
• Add 1 1/2 cups of the remaining marinara sauce to the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish.
• Roll up the lasagna noodles, then arrange them seam-side down in the baking dish. Top them with the remaining 1 cup marinara sauce and 1/4 cup pesto. Cover the baking dish securely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove the foil, top the roll-ups with the mozzarella cheese and continue baking, uncovered, until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven, top the lasagna roll-ups with the grated Parmesan cheese and serve.

PESTO CHICKEN LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute red pepper and onion in butter until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in flour until blended; gradually stir in the milk, broth, basil and oregano. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the chicken, pesto and olives. Remove from the heat. In a large bowl, combine the egg, ricotta cheese and feta cheese., Spread 1 cup marinara sauce in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Layer with four noodles, half of the ricotta mixture, half of the spinach, half of the pesto mixture and 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Top with remaining the noodles, sauce and mozzarella cheese., Cover and bake at 375° for 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes more or until a thermometer reads 160°. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

ROASTED VEGGIE LASAGNA WITH PESTO CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Place carrots, broccoli, zucchini, and red peppers in one layer on to a large lined baking sheet. Coat with olive oil, salt and pepper (and if desired, additional Italian herbs) to taste. Place in a 400 degree oven and roast for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown. This can be done a day or two ahead of time, if desired. 2. If needed, prepare the lasagna noodles by boiling them. If using no-boil noodles, skip this step. 3. Mix roasted veggies with pesto and cream alfredo sauce until completely covered. 4. Place a single layer of lasagna noodles to cover the bottom of a 13x9x2 inch baking dish. 5. Spoon veggie mixture over noodles, distributing evenly. 6. Place another single layer of lasagna noodles over veggie layer. 7. Mix ricotta cheese with 3/4 cup of shredded parmesan cheese and fresh or frozen spinach or basil leaves. Spread evenly over noodle layer. 8. Spread shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over ricotta layer. Sprinkle final quarter cup of parmesan cheese over the mozzarella and finish by sprinkling dried oregano over the top of everything. 9. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes. If desired, place under a low broiler for 2 minutes more to brown the top layer of cheese. Serve hot.

SPINACH, ARTICHOKE, & PESTO LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Lightly coat a 9" X 13" baking dish with cooking spray (or rub with olive oil).
• Thaw and only partially drain frozen spinach if using no-boil noodles. If using traditional boiled noodles, completely drain spinach.
• Blend ricotta and tofu in medium mixing bowl. Season to taste with Italian Seasoning, Basil, Garlic Powder, Parsley, Salt, and Pepper and then stir in the spinach.
• Spread a small amount of pesto on the bottom of the baking dish, and cover with four slightly overlapping lasagna noodles.
• Spread about 1/4 of the spinach, ricotta, and tofu mixture on the noodles. Top with half the artichoke hearts and half the sliced garlic.
• Add four more noodles and spread about 1/3 of the remaining pesto on them, then repeat step 6.
• Sprinkle approximately 1/3 of the shredded mozzarella on this layer.
• Add four more noodles and spread with pesto and spinach, ricotta, and tofu mixture as above.
• Add last four noodles. Spread with remaining pesto and spinach, ricotta, and tofu mixture and top with remaining shredded mozzarella.
• Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake an additional 10 - 15 minutes uncovered, until cheese is nicely melted and very slightly browned around the edges.
• Let stand 5 - 10 minutes before serving.

SPINACH, PESTO, AND FONTINA LASAGNA

Steps:

• For sauce:
• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk 1 minute (do not brown). Add milk and wine and whisk until smooth. Cook until sauce thickens and comes to boil, whisking constantly, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in Parmesan cheese and salt. Season sauce to taste with pepper. DO AHEAD: Sauce can be made up to 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• For spinach:
• Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add shallots and garlic. Sauté until shallots soften, about 2 minutes. Add all spinach (pot will be full). Cook spinach until wilted but still bright green, tossing often, about 3 minutes. Using tongs, transfer spinach to large sieve set over bowl; reserve pot. Press out excess liquid from spinach. Drain 10 to 15 minutes longer.
• Return drained liquid from spinach to reserved pot. Boil until liquid is reduced to glaze. Return spinach to pot and toss 1 minute. Remove spinach from heat. Mix in 1 1/2 cups sauce. Season spinach to taste with pepper.
• For lasagna:
• Place noodles in large bowl. Fill bowl with hot tap water. Soak noodles until pliable, stirring occasionally to separate, about 15 minutes. Place large sheet of parchment paper on work surface. Transfer noodles to parchment in single layer, shaking off excess water.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 13 x 9 x 2- inch glass baking dish. Mix ricotta, Parmesan, and lemon peel in medium bowl. Season to taste with salt. Mix in egg.
• Spread 1/2 cup sauce thinly over bottom of prepared dish. Top with 3 noodles, arranged side by side and covering most of bottom of dish. Spread half of spinach mixture over (about 1 1/2 cups). Sprinkle with 1/3 cup Fontina. Top with 3 noodles and half of ricotta mixture (generous 1 3/4 cups). Drop half of pesto over by teaspoonfuls, spacing drops evenly apart. Continue layering with 3 noodles, remaining spinach mixture, 1/3 cup Fontina, 3 more noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, then remaining pesto. Top with last 3 noodles. Spread remaining sauce over; sprinkle with remaining Fontina. Cover dish with buttered foil.
• Bake lasagna until heated through and bubbling at edges, 50 to 55 minutes. Remove from oven. Remove foil from dish.
• Preheat broiler. Broil lasagna until top is browned in spots, turning dish occasionally for even browning, about 4 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes to set up.
• Available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Italian markets.

LASAGNA AL PESTO GENOVESE

Steps:

• For the besciamella sauce: Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a whisk to avoid scorching. Meanwhile, dice the butter and begin to melt it over medium heat in a separate saucepan. In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt and nutmeg. When butter has fully melted and has stopped bubbling, whisk the flour mixture thoroughly into the melted butter. Allow this flour mixture to simmer, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes. When the milk is steaming and looks like it is about to simmer, quickly add all of the flour roux to the hot milk while stirring vigorously with the whisk. (The whisking will allow the roux to fully incorporate into the milk and you will start to see it thickening.) Bring to a full rolling boil, whisking constantly, to thicken the milk and flour mixture. Transfer mixture to a bowl or casserole dish to fully cool down in your refrigerator.
• For the lasagna: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish.
• In a bowl, combine the besciamella sauce with the pesto Genovese and salt. Begin assembling the lasagna by laying a sheet of raw fresh pasta down in the greased baking dish (cut and piece together the pasta if necessary to fit your vessel). Next, pour a half cup of the sauce mixture onto the pasta. Using a spatula or desired utensil, spread the sauce evenly, making sure to get it to the edges and in the corners of the dish. Sprinkle over the sauce layer a handful of asparagus, handful of mozzarella, light handful of pecorino, light handful of basil. (Keep in mind, there are 7 layers with these ingredients, so use sparingly on each layer; the pine nuts will be distributed on 2 layers of your choosing, as they are not needed on each layer.) For the 8th and final layer, begin by laying the rest of your pasta on top of the 7th layer, then spread the rest of your sauce on top of the pasta, and sprinkle the rest of your mozzarella on the sauce. Finish the assembly by evenly sprinkling the crouton crumbs on top of the mozzarella. Cover the dish well with foil to trap in moisture to allow the raw pasta to cook.
• Bake, covered, for 30 minutes, then uncover the lasagna and bake until the lasagna has crisped and browned to your liking, another 15 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and serve with warm alfredo sauce or as desired.

LASAGNA WITH PESTO BECHAMEL AND TURKEY BOLOGNESE

Steps:

• Bolognese Pasta Sauce: In food processor or blender, puree onion, celery, carrot, and garlic.
• Cover bottom of heavy saucepan with olive oil, saute veggies in hot oil approximately 15 min.
• Add turkey and saute until done; season with S&P.
• Pour in white wine and deglaze until wine evaporates; pour in can of paste and stir in 4 cans of water.
• Add fresh parsley and simmer partially covered until thickened, approximately 1 hour.
• Pesto: Place all ingredients in blender or food processor and puree until smooth.
• Set aside.
• Bechamel: Melt butter in small saucepan, stir in flour and cook 5 minutes until mixture just starts to color.
• Pour in milk, S&P, and stir until thickened, approximately 10 minutes.
• Stir 1 cup pesto sauce into Bechamel.
• Assemble lasagna: (the secret is to apply thin layers of sauce), in a baking dish approximately 11 X 13 place: 1st layer: Bolognese sauce, 2nd layer: lasagna sheets, 3rd layer: Bechamel/pesto sauce, 4th layer: Bolognese sauce, 5th layer: parmesan cheese, Repeat layers 2 through 5 until baking pan is filled.
• Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 50 to 60 minutes covered with aluminum foil.
• NOTES: An option would be to layer with spinach, broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower, or any single or combination of vegetables along with the Bolognese meat sauce or a simple marinara sauce.

SAUSAGE, MUSHROOM, AND PESTO POLENTA "LASAGNA"

Steps:

• Prepare just as for the master recipe, #343, adding the pesto to the ricotta cheese along with the egg, lemon zest, Parmigiano, and bread crumbs.

SLOW-COOKER PESTO CHICKEN-SPINACH LASAGNA

Steps:

• Combine chicken, pasta sauce, water and oregano. Mix cream cheese spread, pesto, 1-1/2 cups shredded cheese and spinach until blended.
• Spoon 1 cup chicken mixture into slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray; top with layers of half each of the noodles and cream cheese spread mixture. Cover with 2 cups chicken mixture. Top with remaining noodles, cream cheese mixture and chicken mixture. Cover with lid.
• Cook on LOW 4 to 6 hours or until liquid is absorbed. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses; cook, covered, 10 min. or until melted.

PESTO AND PRAWN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Combine basil, cream of mushroom soup, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth.
• Combine spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until spinach is wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Mix in cottage cheese, salt, and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Heat a large skillet over high heat. Spray with cooking spray. Add oyster mushrooms and white mushrooms; cook and stir until soft, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Spread about 3 tablespoons basil puree on the bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan. Lay 3 lasagna noodles on top. Spread 1/2 the spinach mixture evenly over the noodles. Arrange 1/2 the prawns on top. Cover with 3 lasagna noodles. Pour 1/2 the basil puree on top and cover with mushroom mixture. Cover with remaining 3 lasagna noodles.
• Top lasagna noodles evenly with remaining spinach mixture and prawns. Pour remaining basil puree on top. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until noodles are soft and sauce is bubbly, about 90 minutes. Remove aluminum foil and continue baking until mozzarella is browned, about 30 minutes.