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  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. White Lasagna

White Lasagna

It's extra cheesy.

By Ree DrummondPublished: Dec 17, 2024
Star FillStar FillStar FillStar FillStar Fill
5
2 Ratings
Arrow Circle Down IconJump to recipe
the pioneer woman's white lasagna recipe
Will Dickey
Yields:
10 - 12
Prep Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 45 mins

I am deeply, madly in love with lasagna. There's so much going on between the sheets of pasta, the sauce, and all the glorious cheese. There's also tons of different ways to make it, this being one of my favorites. Just the name—white lasagna—should give you an idea at just how much cheesy goodness is involved in the dish.

Theres a creamy béchamel sauce filled with goodies like pesto (you can make this homemade pesto or just buy a jar), parmesan, and artichoke hearts. Then there's a thick layer of ricotta and parmesan. There's also shredded mozzarella that really holds every layer together. For some veggies, I like to layer in spinach and yellow squash between the pasta and cheese. This is one of my favorite vegetarian dinner recipes, but rest assured, meat lovers will adore it too.

Can you add meat to white lasagna?

You can! One pound of cooked and crumbled Italian sausage (spicy, if you want!) would be very tasty in this. Sprinkle it on top the ricotta mixture as you build the lasagna.

Can you make white lasagna ahead of time?

Yes! That's one of the best features of homemade lasagna. You can assemble this lasagna, cover it, and refrigerate it (unbaked) for up to two days. You can also tightly wrap the lasagna and freeze it for up to one month. Just be sure to allow about two days for it to thaw in the fridge before baking. This is a big casserole, so it takes some time to defrost!

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Ingredients

Squash

  • 2

    large yellow squash, cut into long thin strips (about 10 slices)

  • 2 Tbsp.

    olive oil

  • Kosher salt, to taste 

  • Black pepper, to taste  

Spinach

  • 2 Tbsp.

    olive oil 

  • 18 oz.

    spinach 

  • Kosher salt, to taste 

  • Black pepper, to taste 

Sauce

  • 6 Tbsp.

    salted butter

  • 3

    garlic cloves, minced

  • 1/2

    small onion

  • 1/4 cup

    all-purpose flour

  • 4 cups

    milk, warmed

  • 1 cup

    heavy cream, warmed

  • Kosher salt, to taste 

  • Black pepper, to taste 

  • 3 cups

    grated parmesan cheese (about 12 oz.)

  • 1/2 cup

    prepared pesto 

  • 2

    (14-oz.) cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

Ricotta

  • 16 oz.

    ricotta cheese

  • 1/3 cup

    grated parmesan cheese 

  • 2

    large egg yolks, whisked 

  • Pinch of kosher salt 

  • Pinch of black pepper 

To Assemble

  • Butter, for the baking dish

  • 16

    no-boil lasagna noodles

  • 2 1/2 cups

    grated low-moisture mozzarella (about 10 oz.)

  • Torn fresh basil, for topping

Directions

    1. Step 1Preheat the oven to 350℉.
    2. Step 2For the squash: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the squash slices in a large bowl, drizzle with the oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add the slices to the grill pan and cook until grill marks appear, about 2 minutes per side. Remove to a plate and set aside.
    3. Step 3For the spinach: In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the spinach a few handfuls at a time and cook, tossing, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the spinach to a paper-towel lined plate to help drain any excess liquid. Wipe out the skillet.
    4. Step 4For the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour, whisking to form a roux. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more. Slowly add the milk and cream, whisking until smooth, and cook until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk in the parmesan and pesto. Fold in the artichoke hearts. Set aside.
    5. Step 5For the ricotta layer: To a medium bowl, add the ricotta, parmesan, and egg yolks and mix to combine. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
    6. Step 6For building: Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Spread 1 cup of the sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Add a layer of 4 lasagna noodles. Add 1 1/2 cups of the sauce and spread evenly. Scatter the spinach evenly on top. Sprinkle over 1/2 cup of the mozzarella. Add a layer of 4 lasagna noodles. Add 1 1/2 cups of the sauce and spread evenly. Then add the ricotta mixture and spread evenly. Sprinkle over a 1/2 cup of the mozzarella. Add a layer of 4 lasagna noodles, followed by another 1 1/2 cups of the sauce and spread evenly. Sprinkle over 1/2 cup of the mozzarella. Add the squash slices. Add the remaining 4 lasagna noodles. Spread the remaining sauce evenly over the top of the noodles. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella. Bake until browned and bubbly, 40 to 45 minutes. Allow the lasagna to sit for 10 to 20 minutes before serving. Top with lots of torn fresh basil.

Tip: The lasagna can be assembled, covered, and refrigerated (unbaked) up to two days in advance. It can be frozen for up to one month; thaw in the refrigerator for about two days. You may need to add some additional baking time if cooking cold from the refrigerator.

Love this recipe? Try one of these next!
  • Spinach Lasagna
  • Butternut Squash Lasagna
  • Eggplant Lasagna
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