Il Cucinologo
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Lasagne with Pesto Cream, Ricotta, and Spinach

17/11/2023

I can provide you with a recipe for lasagne with pesto cream, ricotta, and spinach. This dish is a tasty variant of traditional Bolognese lasagne, and it will offer you a fresh and light flavour thanks to the combination of pesto and spinach with the sweetness of ricotta.

Ingredients

  • 250 g lasagne (fresh or dry, to be pre-cooked if necessary)
  • 200 g Genovese pesto
  • 250 g ricotta
  • 300 g fresh or frozen spinach (if frozen, make sure to thaw and squeeze them well)
  • 100 g grated Parmesan
  • 150 ml milk or light béchamel
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Nutmeg to taste (optional)

Preparation

  1. If using fresh spinach, wash them well and cook in a pan with a drizzle of oil until wilted. If using frozen spinach, make sure to thaw them completely and squeeze well to remove excess water.
  2. In a bowl, mix the ricotta with the pesto until you obtain a smooth cream. Add the milk to make the mixture softer and more workable. Season with salt, pepper and, if you like, a pinch of nutmeg.
  3. Lightly grease a baking dish and start assembling your lasagne. Spread a first layer of pesto and ricotta cream on the bottom.
  4. Cover with a layer of lasagne, then add a generous amount of pesto and ricotta cream, and a handful of spinach.
  5. Sprinkle with a little grated Parmesan and continue with the second layer following the same order: pasta, cream, spinach and Parmesan.
  6. Continue until all ingredients are used up, finishing with a final layer of lasagne covered with pesto and ricotta cream, and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan.
  7. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 20-25 minutes or until the surface is golden and crisp.
  8. Before serving, let the lasagne rest for 5-10 minutes so they settle and are easier to cut.

Trivia

This version of lasagne is an excellent choice for those looking for a slightly lighter dish than classic Bolognese lasagne. The pesto, typically Ligurian, combined with spinach and ricotta creates a pleasant contrast of flavours and colours that also makes the dish very beautiful to look at.

Enjoy your meal!