Scrumptious Pesto Butter Layered Lasagna Recipe Worth Savoring

Dive into a culinary masterpiece where classic Italian pesto butter layered lasagna recipe meets pure comfort food magic.

Creamy, vibrant layers promise an explosion of flavors in every single bite.

Fragrant basil and rich butter weave through tender pasta sheets like a delicious dream.

Melted cheese cascades between delicate noodles, creating a symphony of textures that dance on your palate.

Each carefully constructed layer tells a story of tradition and innovation.

Sharp parmesan and silky pesto create an irresistible harmony that challenges ordinary pasta dishes.

You’ll want seconds before the first forkful even touches your lips.

Serve It Sliced or Styled in Layers

• Dinner Party Delight: Serve this luxurious lasagna alongside a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy flavors.
• Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley on top just before serving to add a vibrant green color and bright, aromatic touch.
• Wine Pairing Paradise: Match this pesto butter lasagna with a medium-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light red such as Chianti to complement its complex, herbal notes.
• Rustic Side Kick: Accompany the dish with warm, crusty garlic bread or roasted seasonal vegetables to create a complete and satisfying meal that highlights the lasagna's decadent qualities.

Keep Lasagna Fresh Without the Soggy Mess

• Refrigerator Recovery: Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making each bite even more delicious the next day.
• Freezer Friendly Fix: Wrap individual portions or the entire lasagna tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Quick Reheat Trick: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or reheat the entire dish in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of extra milk or water to prevent drying out.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours before baking. Cover and refrigerate, then bake directly from the cold state. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to the initial baking time to ensure even heating.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 60-75 minutes

Total Time: 80-95 minutes

Calories: 484 kcal

Servings: 7

Everything You’ll Need for Layered Lasagna

• Unsalted Butter: Creamy foundation that helps create a silky smooth sauce texture and adds rich depth.
• Flour: Crucial thickening agent that transforms liquid into a luscious, velvety sauce consistency.
• Whole Milk: Delivers luxurious creaminess and helps bind ingredients with a gentle, smooth backdrop.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances the sauce's richness.
• Black Pepper: Introduces a subtle, warming kick that elevates the sauce's complexity.
• Basil Pesto: Injects vibrant herbaceous notes and transforms the classic béchamel into a zesty green sensation.

• Ricotta Cheese: Provides creamy, delicate texture and serves as the soft, pillowy base for the filling.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, nutty undertones and contributes a sophisticated aged flavor.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent to hold the cheese mixture together and create a stable structure.
• Dried Basil: Introduces earthy herb essence when fresh basil isn't available.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers a concentrated, aromatic punch of flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Seasoning agents that heighten and balance the cheese mixture's taste.

• Lasagna Noodles: Structural backbone of the dish, creating delectable layers of comfort.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into gooey, stretchy goodness that connects all recipe elements.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkled on top for a golden, crispy finishing touch with intense flavor.

Lasagna Tools That Keep It Neat and Tasty

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking noodles and making béchamel sauce, with plenty of space for boiling water.
• Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending flour into butter and creating lump-free sauce.
• Medium Bowl: Ideal for mixing cheese ingredients and preparing the cheese mixture.
• 9×9 Baking Dish: Key for layering and baking lasagna, providing the right size and depth.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurately portioning ingredients like sauce, cheese, and Parmesan.
• Colander: Necessary for draining cooked noodles quickly and efficiently.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring sauce and spreading layers evenly.
• Oven Mitts: Important for safely handling hot baking dishes and preventing burns.

Layer and Bake Pesto Lasagna Like a Champ

• Noodle Foundation

Boil pasta in salted water until perfectly tender. Carefully drain and let rest with a light olive oil coating to prevent sticking.

• Creamy Pesto Base

Create a silky sauce by gently melting butter, whisking in flour, and gradually introducing milk. Simmer until the mixture transforms into a smooth, velvety consistency. Fold in vibrant pesto, infusing rich herbal flavors.

• Cheese Symphony

Blend different cheeses into a luxurious mixture, ensuring each ingredient complements the others with balanced seasoning.

• Architectural Layering

Select a baking dish and start building delicious layers. Spread initial pesto sauce, then alternate between pasta sheets, cheese blends, and mozzarella. Each layer should contribute depth and complexity to the final masterpiece.

• Oven Magic

Slide the lasagna into a preheated oven. Cover initially to trap moisture, then uncover for the final moments to achieve a golden, slightly crispy top. The result will be a bubbling, aromatic dish that promises comfort and excitement.

How to Mix Up Pesto Lasagna Flavors

• Flavor Boosters: Experiment with different pestos like sun-dried tomato, roasted red pepper, or arugula to add unique twists to your lasagna.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the initial baking time.
• Vegetable Victory: Enhance the nutritional value by adding roasted zucchini, spinach, or mushroom layers between the pasta sheets for extra depth and texture.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Swap out some mozzarella with creamy goat cheese or sharp provolone to create a more complex and rich cheese profile that elevates the entire dish.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles and substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend in the béchamel sauce for a celiac-friendly version of this delicious recipe.

Creamy Pesto Butter Layered Lasagna Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 80-95 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy pesto butter layered lasagna combines Italian pasta perfection with rich, herbaceous flavors. Cheese-laden noodles promise a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with each comforting bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 5 lasagna noodles
• 1 ½ cups basil pesto
• 1 large egg
• 6 tbsps (90 ml) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) flour
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) whole milk
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tbsp dried basil (or 2 tbsps fresh, chopped)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Noodle Preparation: Submerge lasagna noodles in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and lightly brush with olive oil to prevent adhesion, then reserve.
2. Pesto Béchamel Creation: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour to form a smooth roux. Cook until achieving a delicate golden color, developing rich flavor complexity.
3. Sauce Development: Slowly incorporate milk into the roux, whisking vigorously to eliminate potential lumps. Season with salt and pepper, simmering until the sauce reaches a luxurious, velvety texture. Remove from heat and integrate vibrant pesto, creating an aromatic sauce.
4. Cheese Mixture: Thoroughly blend ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, and herbs, ensuring uniform distribution and balanced seasoning.
5. Oven Preparation and Initial Layering: Ignite oven to 375°F. Spread a thin pesto sauce layer across the baking dish’s base to prevent sticking. Strategically construct lasagna layers: noodle halves, cheese mixture, additional mozzarella, and Parmesan dust.
6. Final Assembly and Baking: Complete layering with a concluding noodle stratum, lavishly coating with remaining pesto sauce and a generous cheese topping. Envelop with foil and bake for 50 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
7. Finishing Touch: Remove foil for the concluding 10-15 minutes, encouraging a golden, crisp exterior that promises delectable caramelization and visual appeal.

Notes

• Noodle Preparation Tip: Salt water generously to enhance pasta flavor and cook until perfectly al dente for optimal texture.
• Roux Mastery Technique: Whisk flour and butter continuously to prevent burning and achieve a golden color that builds deep, nutty flavor profiles.
• Sauce Consistency Trick: Whisk milk gradually into roux to eliminate lumps and create smooth, velvety béchamel with silky texture.
• Baking Success Secret: Cover with foil initially to lock in moisture, then uncover for final browning to create irresistible golden-crisp top layer.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 60-75 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 484
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 823 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 82 mg