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Lasagna with Cheese and Basil

17/11/2023

Let’s give an authentic Italian touch to a classic dish that celebrates the richness of cheeses. Here is the recipe for Italian-style lasagna with cheese and basil.

Ingredients

  • 12 sheets of lasagna pasta (fresh or pre-cooked)
  • 500 g of ricotta
  • 250 g of mozzarella, diced
  • 100 g of Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 100 g of Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
  • 200 g of fior di latte or another melting cheese of your choice
  • A bunch of fresh basil, chopped
  • Nutmeg, grated to taste
  • 60 g of butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Béchamel sauce (about 500 ml), which you can prepare by melting 50 g of butter in a pan, adding 50 g of flour and stirring until it turns slightly golden, then gradually pouring in 500 ml of hot milk, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens, and seasoning with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Preparation

  1. If you are using fresh lasagna sheets, blanch each sheet for a few minutes in salted boiling water, then cool them in ice water and dry them on a clean kitchen towel. If you’re using pre-cooked, follow the package instructions for soaking or direct use.

  2. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.

  3. In a bowl, mix the ricotta with the Parmesan, Pecorino, a grating of nutmeg, salt, pepper, and the chopped basil.

  4. Spread a first layer of béchamel sauce in a baking dish.

  5. Overlap a first layer of lasagna sheets, cover with part of the ricotta and cheese mixture, and add some diced mozzarella and pieces of fior di latte or other melting cheese.

  6. Repeat steps 4 and 5, alternating layers of lasagna with béchamel and cheeses until all ingredients are used up, ending with a layer of pasta and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan or Pecorino.

  7. Distribute small dabs of butter on the surface.

  8. Bake the lasagna for about 30-40 minutes or until the surface appears golden and crispy.

  9. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before serving. This will help the layers set, making it easier to cut into portions.

Curiosity

Lasagna is a dish that travels through the history of Italian cuisine, from the Middle Ages to the present day, evolving into various shapes and flavors. The cheese and basil version is relatively modern and deviates from the classic Bolognese lasagna but is equally appreciated for its creaminess and rich taste, with a basil aroma that reminds of the Italian summer.

Lasagna with Cheese and Basil