Host Joel Gamoran welcomed guest, television host Kathie Lee Gifford, to the first episode of Homemade Live! Joel brought a fun twist to a classic family favorite, rolling lasagna into crispy, cheesy perfection.
NOTE: The béchamel and preparation of lasagna noodles (Steps 1-6) should occur the day before baking.
Serves 4 to 6
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE BÉCHAMEL:
- 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ½ cup shallots, sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 sprigs thyme
- ½ teaspoon fresh black pepper
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk, cold
- Salt, to taste
FOR THE LASAGNA:
- 3-4 Store-bought fresh lasagna sheets, 8 x 13”
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Storebought marinara sauce
- 1½ cups frozen spinach, squeezed to remove excess liquid
- Ricotta cheese
- Chopped parsley
- Fresh basil, small leaves
TO PREPARE
BÉCHAMEL
STEP ONE. Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add shallots, bay leaves, thyme, and pepper. Cook until shallots are translucent.
STEP TWO. Add flour and stir well. Cook over medium heat for five minutes, stirring constantly.
STEP THREE. Add cold milk and stir. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Season with salt to taste. Refrigerate covered to cool.
LASAGNA (PREP)
STEP FOUR. Poach your fresh lasagne sheets for 2 minutes in boiling water and lay out on plastic wrap on the countertop.
STEP FIVE. Spread a thin layer of the prepared béchamel evenly across each lasagna sheet. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the béchamel on each lasagna sheet. Sprinkle with the spinach.
STEP SIX. Roll each lasagna sheet into a log, starting from one end. Wrap thoroughly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
LASAGNA (BAKING)
STEP SEVEN. In a casserole dish, ladle a portion of the prepared tomato sauce to cover the entire bottom.
STEP EIGHT. Slice the logs of lasagna roll into 3-4 pieces each, they will be like pinwheels. Place the lasagna pinwheels into the casserole dish, arranging them to fit snugly.
STEP NINE. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top of the pinwheels, ensuring they are generously coated. Add dollops of Ricotta cheese in between the pinwheels.
STEP TEN. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
STEP ELEVEN. Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the pasta edges are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
STEP TWELVE. Remove the Lasagna Pinwheels from the oven and garnish with fried sage or chopped parsley.
