Creamy Basil Pesto Layered Lasagna Recipe: Italian Comfort Magic

Layers of rich, creamy goodness define this pesto layered lasagna that promises an Italian culinary adventure on your plate.

Vibrant green pesto weaves through tender pasta sheets, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

Basil-infused sauce mingles with melted cheeses, promising a memorable dining experience.

Each forkful delivers a robust combination of herbs, pasta, and savory notes.

The recipe balances traditional lasagna techniques with a fresh, aromatic twist.

Cheese lovers and pasta enthusiasts will delight in this comforting, herb-packed dish.

Dive into this Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece that turns an ordinary meal into a celebration of taste.

Ingredients for Pesto Layered Lasagna

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, silky foundation for the sauce with smooth melting properties.
• Flour: Creates smooth thickening agent to develop luxurious sauce texture.
• Whole Milk: Delivers creamy consistency and adds delicate dairy richness.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor depth and balances sauce complexity.
• Black Pepper: Introduces subtle warming spice with aromatic undertones.
• Basil Pesto: Infuses vibrant herbal notes and Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.

• Ricotta Cheese: Delivers creamy, soft texture with gentle tangy undertones.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, nutty flavor with delightful granular texture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides structural integrity.
• Dried Basil, Fresh Basil: Introduces herbaceous, aromatic dimension with green brightness.
• Garlic Powder: Contributes robust, earthy flavor without raw garlic intensity.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Elevates overall seasoning and balances cheese richness.

• Lasagna Noodles: Creates structural foundation with traditional pasta texture.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides stretchy, melty layer with mild dairy sweetness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkles top with intense, crystalline flavor complexity.

Tools Required for Lasagna Prep

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking noodles and preparing béchamel sauce.
• Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending sauce ingredients and preventing lumps.
• Medium Bowl: Ideal for mixing cheese mixture ingredients.
• 9×9 Baking Dish: Necessary for layering and baking lasagna.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately portion sauce and cheese layers.
• Colander: Used for draining cooked noodles.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and spreading sauces.
• Cheese Grater: Optional for freshly grating Parmesan cheese.

Building Pesto Lasagna Step-by-Step

• Noodle Preparation

Boil pasta in a large pot until perfectly cooked, then gently coat with olive oil and set aside.

• Creamy Pesto Base

Create a silky white sauce by melting butter, blending in flour, and whisking in milk until smooth. Infuse with pesto for a rich, herbaceous flavor.

• Cheese Blend

Mix selected cheeses together, creating a luxurious and creamy filling that will complement the pesto’s brightness.

• Layering Magic

In a baking dish, start with a generous spread of pesto sauce. Carefully arrange noodles, alternating with cheese layers. Each layer should offer a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

• Oven Transformation

Bake covered at 375°F, allowing the lasagna to develop deep, integrated flavors. Uncover toward the end to create a golden, slightly crispy top that promises delicious complexity.

Layering Tips for Pesto Lasagna

• Smart Cheese Swap: Replace ricotta with creamy goat cheese or smooth cottage cheese for a tangy twist that elevates the classic flavor profile.
• Veggie Power Boost: Layer in roasted zucchini, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes between noodle layers to add extra nutrition and vibrant colors to your lasagna.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the entire lasagna up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake directly from the cold state, adding 10-15 minutes to the total cooking time.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Substitute traditional lasagna noodles with zucchini strips or gluten-free pasta sheets for those with dietary restrictions without compromising the delicious pesto essence.
• Herb Garden Upgrade: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves, chopped pine nuts, or extra fresh oregano on top right before serving to introduce bright, fresh aromatics and a restaurant-quality presentation.

How to Serve a Pesto Lasagna Dish

• Cheesy Comfort Companion: Pair this lasagna with a crisp green salad topped with balsamic vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy flavors.
• Mediterranean Feast Sidekick: Serve alongside garlic bread or roasted vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers to complement the pesto's herbal notes.
• Wine Lover's Dream: Select a medium-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light red such as Chianti to enhance the lasagna's complex taste profile.
• Fresh Finish Touch: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese right before serving to add brightness and depth to the dish.

Storing Pesto Lasagna for Later Meals

• Smart Meal Prep Magic: Slice lasagna into individual portions before refrigerating, making grab-and-go lunches super easy throughout the week.
• Fridge Storage Strategy: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor and food safety while maintaining delicious texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Solution: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing flat in the freezer for up to 3 months – perfect for future quick dinners or unexpected guests.
• Reheating Hack: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 350°F covered with foil for 20-25 minutes, adding a splash of milk to prevent drying out for that just-baked taste and moisture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 60-75 minutes

Total Time: 80-95 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 7

Creamy Pesto Layered Lasagna Recipe

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4.5 from 25 reviews

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

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Description

Homemade pesto layered lasagna showcases Italian culinary artistry with rich herbal notes and creamy textures. Pasta sheets embrace fragrant basil sauce, creating a delectable harmony of cheese and fresh ingredients you’ll savor with each bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups (340 g) mozzarella cheese
• 15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
• 7.5 tbsps (45 g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 2 tbsps butter, unsalted
• 1.5 cups (360 ml) whole milk
• 1.5 cups (360 ml) basil pesto
• 5 lasagna noodles (approximately ⅓ box)
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsps flour
• 0.5 tbsp dried basil (or 2 tbsps fresh, chopped)
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Immerse lasagna noodles in generously salted water, cooking until perfectly al dente. Drain and lightly coat with olive oil to prevent adhesion, then reserve.
2. Pesto Béchamel Crafting: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Create a smooth roux by whisking flour, then gradually incorporate milk, stirring continuously to eliminate lumps. Simmer until sauce reaches a silky texture. Remove from heat and fold in vibrant pesto, seasoning to perfection.
3. Cheese Mixture Development: Thoroughly blend ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, and fresh herbs. Season with salt and cracked black pepper to elevate flavor profile.
4. Layering Foundation: Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread a thin pesto sauce base in a 9×9 baking dish. Layer noodles completely, ensuring slight overlap for uniform coverage.
5. Cheese and Sauce Stratification: Distribute cheese mixture across noodles, interspersing with mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat layering process, creating alternating noodle, cheese, and sauce strata.
6. Final Composition: Top with remaining noodles, drizzle remaining pesto sauce, and crown with a cascade of cheeses.
7. Baking Process: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for 15 minutes until surface turns golden and slightly crisp.
8. Resting and Serving: Allow lasagna to rest 10-15 minutes post-baking, enabling layers to stabilize and facilitating elegant serving.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Cook noodles just shy of package instructions to prevent mushiness during baking, ensuring a delightful al dente texture.
• Sauce Consistency Control: Whisk béchamel continuously to avoid lumps, creating a silky smooth base that coats every layer beautifully.
• Cheese Mixing Mastery: Combine cheeses thoroughly to distribute herbs and seasonings evenly, guaranteeing a flavor-packed bite throughout the lasagna.
• Resting Ritual: Let the lasagna rest after baking to allow layers to stabilize and settle, making cutting and serving cleaner and more structured.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg