Directions
Delicious Microwave Pesto Lasagna: A Gourmet Delight in Just 15 Minutes
The microwave pesto lasagna offers a simple yet delicious alternative to traditional oven-baked lasagna. This versatile dish is perfect for various occasions, whether it’s a family lunch, a dinner with friends, a buffet, or a special celebration. With its fresh and aromatic flavor, the pesto gives the lasagna a unique taste that’s hard to replicate. Cooking it in the microwave saves time without compromising flavor, ensuring an excellent result. Thanks to the microwave, cooking times are drastically reduced, allowing you to serve a rich pesto lasagna in just 15 minutes. Get ready to amaze your guests with this recipe: the microwave pesto lasagna is sure to become your culinary ace, providing moments of pure enjoyment without sacrificing convenience.
Essential Ingredients for Preparation
To create a delicious microwave pesto lasagna, you’ll need the following ingredients:
For the Fresh Pasta:
- 300 g of all-purpose flour
- 3 eggs
- A pinch of salt
For the Béchamel Sauce:
- 500 ml of milk
- 50 g of butter
- 50 g of all-purpose flour
- Salt to taste
- Nutmeg to taste
For the Pesto:
- 100 g of fresh basil
- 30 g of pine nuts
- 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
- 30 g of grated Pecorino Romano
- 1 clove of garlic
- 100 ml of extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and ice to taste
Making the Fresh Pasta
Let’s start by preparing the fresh pasta. On a clean work surface, create a mound with the flour and make a well in the center, breaking the eggs into it. Add a pinch of salt and whisk the eggs quickly. Using a dough scraper, begin to knead the mixture. Continue kneading by hand until the dough is smooth and homogeneous. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
Preparing the Béchamel Sauce
Next, let’s move on to the béchamel sauce. In a saucepan, heat the milk and add salt along with a pinch of nutmeg. In another pot, prepare the roux by melting the butter over low heat and then adding the flour while stirring constantly. Be careful to avoid lumps by using a whisk. Once the mixture turns a light hazelnut color, gradually add the hot milk, continuing to stir to achieve a thick cream. Simmer until it reaches a viscous consistency, then set aside.
Making the Pesto
Now it’s time to prepare the pesto. In a blender, combine the fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, Pecorino, and the garlic clove. Also add the ice and extra virgin olive oil. Blend intermittently, being mindful not to overheat the mixture, until it reaches a creamy consistency. Adjust the salt according to your taste.
Rolling and Cooking the Pasta
To make handling easier, divide the dough into smaller portions. Using a pasta machine, roll out the dough until it’s about 1-2 mm thick. Cut the sheets into rectangles measuring 15×10 cm and briefly boil them in salted water.
Once cooked, lay the pasta sheets on a lightly greased tray and allow them to cool.
Assembling the Lasagna
We are now ready to assemble our lasagna. In a 25×25 cm baking dish, drizzle a thin layer of oil and add a ladleful of béchamel sauce to the bottom. Start layering by alternating sheets of pasta, pesto, and béchamel, finishing each layer with a sprinkle of pepper. Continue this process until you have a total of 5 layers, finishing with a layer of béchamel and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan.
Microwave Cooking
Place the baking dish in the microwave and cook at 500 watts for 10 minutes. Then, activate the grill function and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Your microwave pesto lasagna is now ready to serve!
Conclusion
We invite everyone to try this quick and easy recipe to impress guests with a gourmet dish. The microwave pesto lasagna not only makes for a great option for a quick meal but also combines fresh and authentic flavors that are sure to delight the palate. If you’re interested in exploring more microwave recipes, consider trying microwave potatoes, vegetable broth, gratin vegetables, chickpea soup, and minestrone. Don’t hesitate to unleash your creativity in the kitchen and enjoy making these delicious dishes!
