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Lasagne with Pesto and Zucchini

17/11/2023

Lasagne with pesto and zucchini is a tasty alternative to the classic Bolognese lasagna. Here’s how to prepare this dish, enriching the recipe with an Italian touch.

Ingredients

  • 250 g of lasagna (fresh or dry, which need to be pre-cooked according to the instructions on the package)
  • 200 g of Genovese pesto
  • 3-4 medium zucchini
  • 300 g of béchamel
  • 200 g of mozzarella (or stracchino for a more melting version)
  • grated Parmesan cheese to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Preparation

  1. Start by washing and slicing the zucchini into rounds or sticks. You can grill them or sauté them in a pan with a drizzle of oil and a clove of garlic, seasoning lightly. Set them aside once ready.
  2. Prepare the béchamel according to the traditional recipe or use a ready-made one. Add a pinch of salt, pepper, and nutmeg, according to your taste.
  3. If using dry lasagna, pre-cook them in boiling salted water for the time indicated on the package, then drain and lay them on a clean cloth.
  4. Pour some béchamel at the bottom of a baking dish to prevent the pasta from sticking during cooking.
  5. Continue the assembly: put a first layer of lasagna, spread some of the pesto on top, add the grilled or sautéed zucchini, pieces of mozzarella, and a bit of béchamel. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
  6. Repeat point 5 until all ingredients are used up, ending with a layer of béchamel and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan.
  7. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 30-40 minutes, or until the surface is golden brown and the lasagna is well cooked.
  8. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Curiosity

Pesto, originating from Genoa in the Liguria region, is one of the most well-known and appreciated Italian sauces worldwide. Its use in lasagna is a way to combine the richness of the baked dish with the freshness and aromatic nature of basil and the other pesto ingredients. This variant diverges from the traditional Bolognese lasagna, embracing the flavors of Northern Italy.

I hope this recipe is useful to you and that it brings you a delicious and comforting meal. Enjoy your meal!

Lasagne with pesto and zucchini