Italian Pesto Lasagna

Theresa (TT) borrows this terrific veggie dish from the Neelys. The pesto is the magic ingredient and makes up for the extra bang usually provided by ground meat.

Dec 17, 2014

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 yellow squash, finely diced
• 1 zucchini, finely diced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• 1/2 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• Pinch of sugar
• 1 (15-ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 (16-ounce) bag frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 7 ounces store-bought pesto. (1 1/2 jars)
• 1 box no-boil lasagna noodles
• 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan. Add more as desired
• Fresh basil, for garnish

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, about 4 minutes.
Add the yellow squash and zucchini and cook, for 4 to 5 minutes more. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce; bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar.
In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, pesto, and season with pepper.
Grease the bottom and sides of your lasagna dish with butter. Spread a little of the tomato sauce on the bottom of the pan. Lay 4 noodles across the bottom of the banking dish, overlapping by 1/2 inch. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta and pest mixture evenly on top. Sprinkle with about 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Ladle about 1 cup of sauce on top. Repeat layering in the same order. Layer the top of noodles and drizzle with the remaining sauce, then sprinkle with the Parmesan and remaining mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake in the center of the oven until the sauce is bubbling around the edges, about 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 minutes more. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
.