Okay people. This is it. The recipe and dish that almost every client of mine that has tasted it has asked for again and again. This isn’t any ordinary lasagna… it has a surprise layer in the middle made up of a mixture of ricotta cheese + pesto that will leave a smile on your face.

I highly recommend this recipe for any and all holidays and gatherings. You will be the star of the show.

Recipe by: The Culinary Nest

MAKES

6 large or 8 medium servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 pound ground beef

1 pound ground pork

1 yellow onion, diced

6 cloves garlic, minced

5-6 tablespoons Italian seasoning + more for garnish

1 tablespoon crushed red pepper

2 32oz. jars or 8 cups of marinara (homemade or store-bought, my FAV is Rao’s Marinara Sauce!)

9 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained (if using no boil, make sure to add a lot of sauce on either side of the noodle layers)

1 16oz. container ricotta, drained

3/4 cup pesto (homemade or store bought)

1 egg

1 cup shredded parmesan

6 cups Italian blend cheese, this will be split into three portions (mix of provolone, fontina, asiago & parmesan)

Salt & Pepper

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 375˚F.

2. In a large sauté pan over medium heat add the beef, pork, onion, 5 tablespoons garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté until the meat is cooked through and no pink is visible. Add 6 cups of marinara (or 1 1/2 jars) to the mixture. Stir together and turn down the heat to a simmer for 15-20 minutes.

3. While the meat sauce simmers, cook your lasagna noodles per the box instructions to al dente. Drain and set side. Rinse under some cold water if needed to handle for assembly.

4. In a medium bowl mix together the ricotta, pesto, remaining garlic, egg, 1/2 cup shredded parmesan, salt & pepper. Set aside.

5. Spray a 9x13 casserole dish and pour the remaining 2 cups of marinara sauce in the bottom of the dish spreading it out evenly.

6. It’s time to layer! Start with one layer of three noodles, then half of the meat sauce mixture, then a layer of Italian blend cheese. Now add another layer of three lasagna noodles, the ricotta mixture (it makes a lot so if you don’t want to use the entire amount that is totally up to you!), and another layer of Italian blend cheese and one last layer of lasagna noodles. Now add the rest of the meat sauce, the last layer of the Italian blend cheese, 1/2 cup of shredded parmesan and I love to add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning on top.

7. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden brown & bubbling.

8. Let cool for 10 minutes.