Broccoli Rabe Lasagna

Name: Broccoli Rabe Lasagna
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons butter; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 2 cups half-and-half, heated, plus a little more if necessary; Salt and pepper; Pinch of cayenne; Grated nutmeg, to taste; 1 pound dry lasagna noodles; Salt and pepper; 2 bunches broccoli rabe, about 2 pounds; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1 pound ricotta cheese; 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest; 4 tablespoons butter; 4 ounces grated Parmesan, about 2 cups, or a combination of Parmesan and pecorino

15 ingredients

28 steps

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups half-and-half, heated, plus a little more if necessary
Salt and pepper
Pinch of cayenne
Grated nutmeg, to taste
1 pound dry lasagna noodles
Salt and pepper
2 bunches broccoli rabe, about 2 pounds
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound ricotta cheese
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
4 tablespoons butter
4 ounces grated Parmesan, about 2 cups, or a combination of Parmesan and pecorino

Directions

1

Make the bechamel: Melt butter in a small saucepan.
2

Whisk in flour and cook for a minute over medium heat without browning.
3

Gradually whisk in half-and-half, 1/2 cup at a time, to obtain a smooth, lightly thickened sauce.
4

Turn heat to low.
5

Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, some ground black pepper, the cayenne and nutmeg.
6

Cook, whisking, for 4 to 5 minutes, then place saucepan in a hot-water bath to keep sauce warm.
7

Thin if necessary with a little more half-and-half.
8

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to the boil.
9

Add lasagna noodles and cook for 5 minutes.
10

Lift noodles from water with a spider and rinse well in a bowl of cold water.
11

Drain and lay noodles flat on a kitchen towel.
12

Using the same cooking water, blanch the greens for 1 minute, until just wilted.
13

Rinse greens with cool water, squeeze dry and chop them roughly.
14

Put 1 cup of chopped greens, the minced garlic and ?1/2 cup olive oil in a food processor or blender and puree to make a pesto.
15

Season with salt and pepper to taste and transfer to a small bowl.
16

Mix the ricotta and lemon zest in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.
17

Heat oven to 375 degrees.
18

Organize to have all ingredients within easy reach for assembling lasagna.
19

Use 2 tablespoons butter to grease an 8-by-10-inch baking dish.
20

Assemble the lasagna: Put a layer of cooked noodles on the bottom of the baking dish.
21

Spoon a quarter of the bechamel over noodles, then dot with a third of the ricotta.
22

Complete layer with chopped greens, a drizzle of pesto and some grated cheese.
23

Continue layering, finishing with a layer of pasta.
24

Spread the last of the bechamel on top and sprinkle with Parmesan.
25

(There should be 4 layers of pasta and 3 layers of filling.)
26

Dot with remaining butter and bake, covered with foil, for 20 minutes.
27

Uncover and bake for 20 minutes more, until nicely browned and bubbling.
28

Let lasagna rest 10 minutes before serving.