Roasted Poblano Sauce
Free-form Rebellion: Lasagna with a Southwestern Kick
Elevate your Italian game with this daring twist on lasagna: Lasagna with Ricotta Filling, Chipotle-Tomato Sauce, and Poblano Pesto. Here's your guide to crafting this bold culinary masterpiece:
Ingredients
Poblano Pesto
- 4 Ripe Poblanos
- 1/3 cup Pine Nuts
- Salt and Pepper
- Juice from Pickled Jalapenos or Fresh Lime
- Olive Oil (for roasting and blending)
Ricotta Filling
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
- 1/2 cup Grated Mozzarella
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan
- 1 Egg
- Chopped Parsley
- Garlic Powder
- Salt and Pepper
Chipotle-Tomato Sauce
- Olive Oil
- Minced Garlic (3-4 cloves)
- 1 can Crushed Tomatoes (28 oz)
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo (2)
- Dried Oregano
- Smoked Paprika
- Salt and Pepper
Additional Components
- Lasagna Noodles (12)
- Shredded Mozzarella (1 cup) for topping
- Fresh Herbs (parsley or cilantro) for garnish
Process
Poblano Pesto
- Roast the poblanos in a hot oven until charred.
- Peel the skin off once cool enough, then blend with pine nuts, salt and pepper, lime juice, olive oil, and puree until smooth.
Ricotta Filling
- Mix ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Chipotle-Tomato Sauce
- Sauté garlic in olive oil until fragrant.
- Add crushed tomatoes, chipotle peppers, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Assembling the Lasagna
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions.
- Layer sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, poblano pesto, mozzarella in a 9x13 baking dish. Repeat layers.
- Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for 10-15 more minutes.
- Let it rest for a few minutes before serving, garnish with fresh herbs.
Personalize this mouthwatering dish with your favorite spices, adjust the heat level, or substitute ingredients to create a lasagna that perfectly suits your taste buds.
- For an extraordinary spin on lasagna, try incorporating a Southwestern kick by using a roasted Poblano pesto made from charred Poblanos, pine nuts, salt, pepper, lime juice, and olive oil.
- To enhance the nutritional profile of your lasagna, consider incorporating a ricotta filling with roasted garlic, fresh herbs, and a balanced blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- To complement the Southwestern twist, create a Chipotle-Tomato sauce with roasted garlic, crushed tomatoes, smoked paprika, and chipotle peppers to infuse the layers with bold flavors.
