pesto lasagna.
(serves 8-12)
1lb lasagna noodles
1lb mozz cheese - sliced into 25-30 slices
1C parm cheese (more for serving)
1 ball burrata (optional) - pulled apart for topping
[The sauce.]
1lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
1lb ground beef
1 large onion - medium dice
7 garlic cloves - minced
1 28oz San Marzano whole tomatoes
1 15oz tomato sauce
1 6oz tomato paste
1/2 - 1C water (if necessary)
2t better than bullion
1/2C white wine
1-2TB sugar
1/2C fresh basil - whole
1/4C fresh parsley - fine chop
1t ground fennel seed
1TB italian seasoning
1/4t Red Pepper Flakes
Salt & Pepper - to taste
[Whipped ricotta.]
1 30oz whole milk ricotta
1 egg
2TB parsley - fine chop
1/2t salt
1/8t ground nutmeg
[Pesto.]
4oz fresh basil
2 garlic cloves
1/2C pint nuts
1C parm
1/3C evoo
3TB lemon juice
1/2t salt
method.
🌀in a large stock pot add a drizzle of evoo and the meats, breaking up into small pieces as they cook.
🌀add in garlic and onion and cook until veg is translucent and meat is browned, stirring constantly.
🌀stir in sugar, seasonings and parsley. Pour in tomatoes, sauce, paste and wine.
🌀mix well and bring to a boil then reduce to low and cover. Let simmer for no less than an hour and as long as time will allow (the longer the better - I usually always do about 4-5 hours). Cook pasta (according to package instructions) 15-20 minutes before sauce is done.
🌀while the sauce simmers make whipped ricotta and pesto.
🌀in a large mixing bowl whisk in ricotta, egg, parsley, salt and nutmeg until combined and refrigerate until ready to assemble.
🌀using a blender or food processor toss in all of the pesto ingredients and blitz until it is a thick consistency. Add a little more oil or lemon juice (add water instead, if over seasoned) if too thick. Let sit in the fridge until ready to assemble.
🌀preheat oven to 375deg and begin lasagna assembly.
🌀grease a 9x13 baking dish w/ butter. Spread out 1C of meat sauce on the bottom of the dish - sprinkle with parm and arrange 3-4 noodles over sauce. Spread 1/3 ricotta over noodles, 1/4 pesto over ricotta and top with 1/4 of the mozz slices. Spoon 1 1/2C of meat sauce over mozz then sprinkle with 1/4C of parm and repeat layers from before until the dish is nearly filled. For the final layer - place pasta and top with 1C of meat sauce then arrange remaining slices of mozz and sprinkle over more parm. - you may have left over meat sauce, make some spaghetti bolognese something this week for lunch or dinner.
🌀cover dish very loosely with foil and place in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 20 minutes. If still not browned to your liking blast it under the broiler for a minute or two until beautifully brown.
🌀let stand for at least ten minutes. Serve with a side salad something with an acidic dressing to cut thru some of the richness of the lasagna. & Enjoy!!
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xx.