Description
A festive twist on classic lasagna bolognese, with layers of red bolognese sauce and green basil pesto ricotta.
Ingredients
For the Bolognese:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled & finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 lbs ground beef
0.5 lb ground pork
1 tablespoon tomato paste
0.5 cup dry red wine
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 bay leaf
1 parmesan rind (optional)
0.5 cup whole milk
For the Basil Pesto Ricotta:
15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
1 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
0.25 teaspoon kosher salt
For Assembly:
1.5 lbs fresh lasagna sheets (or 1 box no-boil dried lasagna noodles)
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the bolognese sauce by sautéing onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until softened.
2. Add garlic, then ground beef and pork; cook until browned.
3. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute; deglaze with red wine.
4. Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, seasonings, bay leaf, and parmesan rind.
5. Simmer uncovered for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Stir in milk at the end and discard bay leaf and parmesan rind.
6. Mix ricotta, pesto, parmesan, and salt in a bowl to make the basil pesto ricotta.
7. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread a bit of bolognese on the bottom of a baking dish.
8. Layer lasagna: noodles, bolognese, basil pesto ricotta, mozzarella. Repeat layers, ending with noodles, bolognese, mozzarella, and parmesan.
9. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
10. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with basil.
Notes
Fresh lasagna noodles are recommended for the best texture.
Sauce can be made ahead and stored up to 5 days refrigerated or 3 months frozen.
Pesto can be store-bought or homemade; green pesto adds holiday color contrast.
Letting lasagna rest after baking helps it slice neatly.
Great for feeding a crowd or for make-ahead holiday prep.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Christmas Dinner Ideas
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 110mg