Polenta Pesto Lasagna Recipes

POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix marinara sauce, garlic powder and herbes de Provence. Arrange half of the polenta slices in a greased 8-in. skillet. Top with half of the sauce; sprinkle with 3/4 cup cheese. Repeat layers., Cook, uncovered, over medium heat 12-14 minutes or until bubbly. Cover; cook 2-3 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

POLENTA PESTO LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350
• Slice the polenta lengthwise into thin, lasagna-shaped "noodles)
• Place 2 noodles on the bottom of a standard loaf pan, then top with some pesto and shredded cheese. It will probably only go 2/3 the length of the loaf pan. Just go with it
• Top those noodles, pesto and cheese with 1 1/2 slices of polenta
• Add more pesto and more cheese
• Top with the last 1 1/2 noodles and more cheese
• Bake for 30 minutes at 350, until the cheese is browned and bubbly. There may be a pool of oil underneath your lasagna from the pesto. No worries
• Let the lasagna set for 15 minutes, then slice in half to make two large servings
• Enjoy with a grilled protein and/or a salad!

PESTO POLENTA LASAGNA--SUPER EASY!

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Oil an 11x7x2 inch baking dish.
• Arrange a single layer of polenta in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
• Spread a thin layer of pesto over the polenta.
• Spoon half of the sauce over the polenta.
• Top with another layer of polenta and sauce.
• Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes.
• Turn on the broiler.
• Top polenta with cheese and pine nuts, and broil until cheese browns and nuts are toasted.

POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with butter. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put 4 cups of water into a pot and set over medium-high heat. Slowly whisk in the polenta so no lumps form. Add a big pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until the mixture comes to a boil. Lower the heat and cook according to the package directions. When it is finished, stir in the butter and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan.
• Spread a cup of the Slow-Cooker Bolognese in the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Add half the polenta and spread it evenly over the sauce. Add a layer of 6 slices provolone and 3/4 cup mozzarella, then top with 2 cups of the sauce. Make another layer with the remaining polenta. Top with the remaining provolone, 3/4 cup mozzarella and remaining sauce. Sprinkle over the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese is browned and bubbling, about 15 minutes more. Let rest for 20 minutes before serving.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery, carrots and onions, season with salt and pepper and cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute. Pour in the red wine and cook until it is mostly evaporated, about 3 minutes. Pour this mixture into a slow cooker.
• Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons oil into the skillet, add the beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up any lumps, until it is nicely browned, about 15 minutes. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the milk and cook until it is mostly absorbed by the meat, about 5 minutes. Add this to the slow cooker along with the tomatoes, oregano, basil, thyme, red pepper flakes, nutmeg and Parmesan rind if using. Add some salt. Give it a good stir, cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
• Skim off any fat on top and check the consistency. If it is too thick, add a bit of water. If it is too thin, cook for another 30 minutes with the cover off.

POLENTA NAPOLEON WITH MIXED HERB PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the polenta: In a large saucepan combine the milk, heavy cream, water, olive oil, and kosher salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and slowly pour in the cornmeal, whisking constantly until it thickens, about 5 minutes.
• Cover a baking sheet with plastic wrap. Pour the polenta onto the plastic covered baking sheet and spread to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Let cool at least 15 minutes.
• For the pesto: Puree the basil, mint, cilantro, shallots, and garlic. Add the olive oil in a slow, steady stream, while the food processor is running. Stir in the Parmesan, kosher salt, and sambal.
• For the lasagna: Cut the zucchini lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat and saute the zucchini slices until lightly golden. Season with salt and pepper.
• Oil an 8-inch round spring form pan. Spread 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce on the bottom of the pan. Cut the polenta into 3 (7 3/4-inch) rounds. Brush the tops with the Mixed Herb Pesto.
• Place 1 disk in the bottom of the spring form pan. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of tomato sauce and arrange half the zucchini on top. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. Cover with the second round of polenta, 1/4 cup tomato sauce, the rest of the zucchini, and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. Top with the last polenta round, the remaining tomato sauce, and Parmesan. Bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove from the spring form pan, cut into wedges and serve.
• In a large pot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Cook the onion, garlic, and chili flakes in the oil until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes (juice and all), tomato paste, and sugar. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes. Cool the tomato sauce for 10 minutes.
• Puree the sauce in a food processor or food mill. Stir in the extra-virgin olive oil, marjoram, basil, and kosher salt. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
• Yield: 6 cups
• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Inactive Time: 10 minutes

FREE FORM POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Lightly coat a sheet pan with olive oil and set aside. Bring the water, milk, and olive oil to a boil in a large pot. Add salt and pepper, and then sprinkle in the cornmeal, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or heavy whisk to avoid lumps. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking, stirring frequently, for about 15 minutes, or until the polenta pulls away cleanly from the sides of the pot. Season, to taste, again with salt and pepper. Fold in the butter and Parmesan.
• Turn the polenta onto the prepared sheet pan and smooth it out. Cover it with plastic wrap, and put it in the refrigerator until it is quite cold, preferably overnight. Using a 4-inch round pastry cutter, cut the cold polenta into 4-inch round cakes. Place the cakes on parchment paper, leaving them covered with plastic wrap until ready to serve.
• Close to serving time, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the skillet, and let the oil heat. Dust the polenta cakes with flour, add them to the pan in batches, and saute until crispy and golden brown. Top each cake with 1 tablespoon Taleggio, and place under the broiler until cheese is melted and a little browned on top. Serve the polenta cakes with basil oil, smoked tomato sauce, and grilled vegetables, layering like free-form lasagna as desired.
• Blanch the basil for 3 to 5 seconds in a large pot of boiling salted water. Using a spider or a slotted spoon, immediately plunge the basil into a bowl of ice water to retain its bright green color. Gently squeeze the basil to remove as much excess water as possible.
• Put the basil in a food processor or blender. Add both oils, and puree until smooth. Put the pesto in an airtight container, and refrigerate it overnight. Then pour off the excess oil that has settled on top. Pour pesto into squirt bottles for easier service.
• Smoke the onions and fresh tomatoes in a smoker under mesquite chips. Remove from smoker, and set the tomatoes aside. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the smoked onions and garlic to the pan, and saute until tender and very fragrant. Add the oregano and bay leaves and cook for 1 more minute, or until fragrant. Add the smoked tomatoes and the canned tomatoes, and bring mixture to a boil. Add the white wine and basil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. Using an immersion blender, puree the sauce until smooth. Then add the sugar, and simmer for another 10 to 12 minutes. Strain sauce through a medium-sized mesh sieve. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Preheat a grill, or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. In a large bowl, toss all of the sliced vegetables with the olive oil. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Add the garlic and fresh herbs, if using, and toss all together. Grill the vegetables until they are tender yet still slightly crisp.

EASY PESTO LASAGNE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Place the pesto, half the mascarpone and 250ml water (or vegetable stock if you have some) in a pan. Heat and mix until smooth and bubbling. Add the spinach and peas and cook for a few more mins until the spinach has wilted and the peas thawed. Add the herbs and season.
• Place a third of the pesto mixture into a baking dish roughly 18 x 25cm. Top with 4 lasagne sheets, then repeat with 2 more layers of sauce and lasagne sheets, finishing with a layer of pasta. Mix enough milk into the remaining mascarpone to make a white sauce consistency, season, then pour over the top. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and pine nuts. Bake for 35-40 mins until golden brown on top and bubbling around the edges. Scatter over the reserved basil leaves and serve with a green salad, if you like.

POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Make the sauce: Place porcini in a small bowl, and cover with 1/2 cup boiling water. Let soak 15 minutes. Lift mushrooms out of water, chop medium fine, and set aside. Strain the liquid through cheesecloth; set liquid aside.
• In a large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium-low heat. Add carrot, celery, onion, and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add all meats, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; raise heat to high, and cook, stirring occasionally, until meat has browned, about 4 minutes. Add wine, and cook until liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, stock, chopped porcini, reserved porcini liquid, and nutmeg. Lower heat to medium low, and slowly simmer, stirring occasionally, about 35 minutes; much of the liquid will evaporate, but the sauce should be very moist, with several tablespoons of liquid remaining. The sauce can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.
• Make the polenta: Lightly brush a 3-by-5-inch mini loaf pan with oil; set aside. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 2/3 cups water to a boil, and add salt. While constantly whisking, add polenta in a slow, steady stream. When all the polenta has been added, immediately reduce heat to low, and let simmer, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove polenta from heat, pour into prepared pan, and smooth the surface (an offset spatula works well). Let stand until cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until cold and firm, about 4 hours. Can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.
• Make the bechamel sauce: In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Add flour, and cook, stirring frequently, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring milk and salt to a boil. Slowly whisk milk into the flour mixture until completely incorporated and smooth. Add nutmeg, and reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Rub butter over the surface of the bechamel; this will prevent a skin from forming. The bechamel can be prepared up to this point 2 days in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator. When ready to use, warm sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring, 1 or 2 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, whisk in about 2 tablespoons of milk to thin it out.
• Assemble the lasagna: Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat; add spinach and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until wilted and tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and drain in a colander. Squeeze out all water, finely chop, and set aside.
• Unmold polenta onto a clean surface. Using a serrated knife, trim the block of polenta to a length of 4 inches. Turn polenta on its side; slice 6 pieces as thin as possible (they should be less than 1/8 inch thick).
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spread 5 tablespoons of the meat sauce into each of two 12-ounce ovenproof casseroles. Cover with 1 slice of polenta, and spread 3 tablespoons of meat sauce evenly over. Spread 2 tablespoons of bechamel over the meat sauce, and evenly distribute 2 tablespoons of the chopped spinach over the bechamel. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan, and cover with 1 slice of polenta. Repeat the layering process (3 tablespoons meat sauce, 2 tablespoons bechamel, 2 tablespoons spinach, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and 1 piece polenta). Spread 1 heaping tablespoon of bechamel sauce over the final layer of polenta, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of Parmesan, and dot with 1/4 teaspoon butter. These can be prepared up to this point a day in advance; cover and refrigerate. (If lasagnas are prepared ahead and refrigerated, let them stand at room temperature for 1 hour before baking.)
• Bake until tops of lasagnas are golden brown and juices are bubbling, about 20 to 25 minutes. If tops are not yet brown, increase heat to broil and place lasagnas under broiler until tops are speckled brown. Let stand for about 10 minutes before serving.

POLENTA LASAGNA LOAF

Steps:

• Prepare polenta: Bring water and salt to a boil over high heat. Whisk polenta into the boiling water and continue whisking until it starts to thicken, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often, until polenta is soft and has lost its grainy texture, 25 to 40 minutes.
• Remove polenta from the stove and quickly whisk in butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
• Transfer polenta to a silicone baking liner (or oiled foil or parchment paper). Spread it out evenly almost to the edges into an 8x13-inch rectangle. Cover with plastic wrap and smooth out the top with your hands. Place a baking sheet on top and press slightly to further flatten.
• Slide the silicone liner and polenta onto the baking sheet and place in the refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour.
• Remove polenta from the refrigerator and cut, from one long edge to the other, into 8-inch long strips.
• Prepare filling: Stir ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, mozzarella, salt, pepper, cayenne, egg, and parsley in a bowl until well combined.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a loaf pan with 1 tablespoon oil.
• Place one strip of polenta into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan. Spread 1/3 of the filling on top as evenly as you can. Top with about 1 cup hot meat sauce. Repeat polenta-filling-sauce layers twice more. Place the last piece of polenta on top, then gently shake and tap the pan to settle the contents. Place the loaf pan on top of a sheet pan to catch any spills while baking. Loosely wrap the top of the loaf pan with foil, making sure it's not touching the polenta.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly, about 1 hour.
• Remove from the oven, discard foil, and let rest for at least 15 minutes.
• Divide onto 6 plates. Garnish with parsley and serve with additional sauce.

POLENTA LASAGNA WITH SPINACH AND HERBY RICOTTA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees and butter an 13-by-18-inch rimmed baking sheet pan. Grease a rubber spatula with butter.
• Prepare the polenta: In a large pot, bring 6 cups water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium, then slowly pour in polenta, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking often, until polenta thickens, 8 to 12 minutes. Whisk in 4 tablespoons butter until melted. Whisk in spinach until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in 1 cup grated Parmesan.
• Scrape polenta onto the prepared baking sheet. Using the greased rubber spatula, spread the mixture into a thin, even layer to cover the entire pan, all the way to corners. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan on top. Bake until polenta is firm and cheese has melted, 12 to 18 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack until completely cooled, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or place in refrigerator until cool to touch, about 40 to 50 minutes. (Polenta can be baked the day before and refrigerated until needed.)
• When ready to bake the lasagna, heat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Prepare the ricotta filling: In a small bowl, mix ricotta, parsley, basil, egg, black pepper, nutmeg and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix until well combined and set aside.
• Taste the marinara sauce. If it needs some zip, stir in any or all of the optional ingredients.
• Assemble the lasagna: Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut cooled polenta in half widthwise, creating 2 pieces roughly 9 by 13 inches each. Using a large spatula, gently place one half in prepared baking dish. (It is important for polenta to be completely cooled and firm; otherwise, the pieces may break when transferring to baking dish. If anything breaks, just reassemble it in the pan. It won't make much of a difference once it's covered in sauce and baked.)
• Spread about half the ricotta mixture in an even layer on top of polenta. Pour about half of marinara sauce on top of ricotta, sprinkle with about half of the shredded mozzarella. Repeat with remaining polenta, ricotta, marinara and mozzarella. Once assembled, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan on top.
• Place baking dish on top of a rimmed sheet pan in case the lasagna bubbles over. Bake until cheese melts, about 30 minutes. If you like, you can broil lasagna for 2 minutes after baking until cheese starts to bubble and develop brown spots.
• Remove from oven and let lasagna stand for about 15 minutes to firm up before serving. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months.