Main Dishes

January 31, 2024

Cashew Pesto Lasagna Roll Ups

Discover Pretty Plate’s delightful and nutritious Cashew Pesto Lasagna Roll Ups, a unique healthier twist on the classic layered lasagna! Each lasagna sheet is individually rolled and filled with a luscious combination of creamy cashew pesto, tangy cottage cheese, fresh zucchini, peppery arugula leaves, and silky mozzarella. This fresh and flavorful transformation brings a special touch to your cherished comfort meal. Enjoy the process of filling, rolling, and baking, creating an at home fun and feel-good meal!

Experience a pleasant departure from traditional lasagna with rolled up lasagna—an aesthetically pleasing culinary creation. While crafting the rolls themselves is undeniably enjoyable, the real treat lies in their delectable taste and stunning presentation. When arranged and baked facing up, these lasagna rolls become a visually stunning centerpiece for your dinner table!

Beyond crafting them and their appeal, what sets these apart is the thoughtful individual portioning. Each roll is a perfectly sized serving, eliminating the challenge of precision cutting associated with traditional layered lasagna. So, you can say goodbye to the days of struggling to cut the perfect piece, and savor the convenience and elegance of individually portioned rolled lasagna.

A lot of thought was put into these little cuties because I wanted to be aware of the ingredients that I was incorporating. I wanted to be conscious that I was using food as medicine, additionally finding ways to incorporate more plants into our diet by cooking decadent yet delicious plant-forward recipes to support gut and hormonal health. I worked closely with Dr. Daisey Anglow who is extremely smart Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in Gut + Hormone + Weightloss. Check out her website, credentials, how she can help you and more here!

With all of that being said, this recipe offers a lighter, calorie-conscious option. Each roll is packed with a nourishing blend of protein-rich ingredients like cottage cheese, cashews, assorted greens, and zucchini. Despite being a vegetarian treat, you won't even miss the meat – it's that satisfying! Indulge in a meal that leaves you feeling content and happy with every delicious bite.

Now, let’s chat about the pesto, cooking the lasagna sheets and the roll ups, I have some tips and tricks that could help you build these successfully:

  • The Cashew Pesto: You’ve got to try my homemade cashew pesto. It is an absolute delight that's both simple and incredibly rewarding. All it takes is tossing the ingredients into a food processor or a motorized blender, giving it a whirl with a push of a button, and there you have it—fresh, homemade pesto ready in minutes. No food processor? No problem! Your trusty motorized blender will do the trick. This versatile pesto is a breeze to prepare ahead of time and can be conveniently stored in the fridge until the moment you're ready to add a touch of homemade goodness to your dishes.
  • Cooking the Lasagna Sheets:Opt for dry lasagna sheets for a more manageable and visually appealing presentation due to their wavy edges. When cooking, handle the sheets delicately, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Once cooked, lay them flat on parchment paper to prevent sticking and sliding. This method aids in preserving their integrity. When ready to fill and roll, transfer them to a new sheet of parchment paper for an easy and seamless process. The use of parchment paper proves effective, ensuring the noodles respond well and facilitating a smooth rolling experience.
  • The Roll Ups: Crafting these takes a bit of time, as each one requires filling and rolling before placing it in the pan. However, it's a fantastic opportunity to involve the whole family and create a unique bonding experience in the kitchen. The beauty of this recipe is that you can prepare them in advance and refrigerate until you're ready to bake. So, even if you're short on immediate help but have some time to spare, you can whip them up in 30 minutes - hour or even a day ahead for a hassle-free and delicious meal when you're ready.

Did you make this? If so, make sure to tag and follow @prettyplatebymichelle on instagram and tiktok or leave a comment below and let me know what you think! I would love to see your Pretty Plate and hear from you!

Cashew Pesto Lasagna Roll Ups

Discover my delightful and nutritious Cashew Pesto Lasagna Roll Ups! A unique healthier twist on the classic layered lasagna! Each roll promises a burst of color, flavor, and texture.

Prep:
45
min
cook:
30
min
total:
75
min
Author:

Michelle

Ingredients

For the Cashew Pesto: 

  • 2 Cups fresh basil leaves, packed
  • ½ Cup raw cashews
  • 2 Garlic cloves
  • ⅓ Cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
  • ⅓ Cup water
  • ⅓ Cup freshly grated parmesan
  • ¼ TSP black pepper
  • ½ TSP salt
  • Fresh lemon juice from half of a lemon + lemon zest

For the Lasagna Roll Ups: 

  • 1 Package lasagna noodles, cooked
  • 1-2 Cups Mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
  • Cashew Pesto
  • Grated zucchini, patted dry/water removed
  • Arugula leaves
  • Cottage cheese
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. Prepare a rectangle baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Set your dish aside.
  2. Pluck your basil leaves from their stems. Measure out 2 cups packed and place in your food processor.
  3. Add your cashews, garlic cloves, olive oil, water, grated parmesan cheese, black pepper, salt and lemon juice. Place the lid on top of your food processor and mix until well blended. Set aside. NOTE: reserve ½ Cup pesto for the bottom of the pan and to drizzle on top before baking.
  4. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling add your lasagna pasta noodles and cook until al dente. Carefully, drain or scoop out the noodles when they are done and lay them flat and let them cool down on parchment paper.
  5. Freshly grate your mozzarella cheese. Set aside. Freshly grate your zucchini, set aside.
  6. To assemble your lasagna roll ups, carefully lay 1 of your cooked lasagna sheets down flat, scoop 2 TBSP cottage cheese and spread it to cover the full lasagna sheet, followed by 1 TBSP pesto mixture and spread evenly on your flat lasagna sheet, top with ½ -1 TBSP grated zucchini and then a few arugula leaves. Spread evenly over the pesto and top with freshly grated mozzarella cheese. Carefully roll one end of the lasagna sheet to the other end to make a nice pesto lasagna roll. Repeat with remaining lasagna sheets.
  7. Place each pesto lasagna roll in your baking dish vertically, so the side of the roll is facing up Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Drizzle with a little bit of pesto if you have any left oveer. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.
  8. When done, remove from heat and let cool. Serve right away. NOTE: you can serve these with your favorite red or white sauce as well or enjoy as is!
  9. ENJOY!
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Kevin
October 19, 2021
So delicious!