Pesto Mushroom Chicken Lasagna Roll-Ups

Pesto Mushroom Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups are a delightful and convenient twist on classic lasagna. Imagine tender lasagna noodles, rolled up with a savory mixture of chicken, mushrooms, spinach, and a blend of cheeses, all infused with the fragrant flavors of pesto. These roll-ups are then baked to golden perfection, creating a dish that’s both comforting and elegant. It’s a perfect meal for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

Here’s what makes this dish special:

  • Flavorful Filling: The combination of chicken, mushrooms, spinach, and pesto creates a savory and satisfying filling that’s packed with flavor.
  • Creamy Cheeses: A blend of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella adds a creamy texture and a cheesy richness that complements the other ingredients.
  • Tender Noodles: The lasagna noodles are cooked to perfection, creating a tender and satisfying base for the roll-ups.
  • Easy to Make: This dish is surprisingly easy to assemble, making it a great option for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Versatile: You can easily customize the filling with your favorite vegetables or cheeses.

Whether you’re a lasagna lover or simply looking for a delicious and easy-to-make meal, Pesto Mushroom Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups are a must-try. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for more.

Pesto Mushroom Chicken Lasagna Roll-Ups

5 from 1 vote
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian America Fusion
Keyword: Chicken, Italian American Fusion, Lasagna, Pesto, Roll Ups
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 468kcal
Pesto Mushroom Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups are a delightful and convenient twist on classic lasagna. Tender lasagna noodles are filled with a savory mixture of chicken, mushrooms, spinach, and a blend of cheeses, all infused with the fragrant flavors of pesto. These roll-ups are then baked to golden perfection, creating a dish that's both comforting and elegant. It's an easy-to-make meal that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
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Ingredients

FOR THE MUSHROOMS

  • 8 oz Baby Bella Mushrooms sliced
  • 1 Tbsp Butter
  • ½ tsp Thyme
  • 1 Pinch Salt
  •  
    1 Pinch Pepper freshly ground

FOR THE LASAGNA ROLL UPS

  •  
    8 Lasagna noodles
  • 2 Cups Chicken Breast cooked. shredded or finely chopped (about 1 lb.)
  •  
    1 Cup Mozzarella cheese shredded

FOR THE PESTO RICOTTA

  •  
    8 OZ Ricotta whole milk
  • 1 Large Egg
  •  
    Cup Basil pesto your favorite
  • ¼ tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 Pinch Salt freshly ground
  • 1 Pinch Ground Black Pepper freshly ground

FOR THE GARLIC PARMESAN CHEESE SAUCE

  • 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
  •  
    ¼ Cup Flour all-purpose
  • Cup Milk whole milk
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • ½ tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 Pinch Salt freshly ground, to taste
  •  
    1 Pinch Pepper freshly ground, to taste

FOR ON TOP

  •  
    ¼ cup Basil pesto your favorite
  •  
    ¾ cup Mozarella cheese shredded

TO GARNISH

  • 1 Pinch Parmesan Cheese grated
  •  
    1 Pinch Basil fresh make into ribbons

Instructions

  • Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter, then mushrooms, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are golden brown.
    8 oz Baby Bella Mushrooms, 1 Tbsp Butter, 1/2 tsp Thyme, 1 Pinch Salt, 1 Pinch Pepper
  • To prepare the lasagna noodles, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook them for about 6 minutes, or until they are slightly softened but still firm. Drain the noodles in a colander. To prevent the noodles from sticking together, immediately lay them flat on a baking sheet or cutting board that has been lightly oiled. Make sure the noodles are not touching each other. If you prefer not to boil the noodles, you can soak them in very warm (almost hot) water for 20-30 minutes until they are pliable.
    8 Lasagna noodles
  • Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is heating up, prepare your baking dish. You can use a 2-quart casserole dish or a 7 x 11 inch baking dish. Grease the dish with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil. This will prevent the lasagna roll-ups from sticking to the dish during baking.
  • In a medium bowl, add the ricotta cheese, egg, basil pesto, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Use a fork or a whisk to mix the ingredients together thoroughly until they are fully combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. This flavorful mixture will be the base of the filling for your lasagna roll-ups.
    8 OZ Ricotta, 1 Large Egg, ⅓ Cup Basil pesto, ¼ tsp Garlic powder, 1 Pinch Salt, 1 Pinch Ground Black Pepper
  • Lay out the cooked lasagna noodles on a clean work surface. Spread 1-2 tablespoons of the pesto ricotta filling evenly over each noodle. Top the filling with the cooked mushrooms and shredded chicken, dividing the mixture evenly among the noodles. Sprinkle each noodle with about 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese. Starting at one of the shorter ends, tightly roll up each lasagna noodle. Place the rolled-up noodles seam-down in the prepared baking dish. Make sure the rolls are snugly nestled together in the dish.
    8 oz Baby Bella Mushrooms, 1 Cup Mozzarella cheese, 2 Cups Chicken Breast
  • To make the garlic Parmesan sauce, melt butter in the same skillet used for the mushrooms. Whisk in flour, then gradually add milk, alternating with more flour, whisking constantly. Bring to a boil, then simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
    2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, ¼ Cup Flour, 1¾ Cup Milk, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, ½ tsp Garlic powder, 1 Pinch Salt, 1 Pinch Pepper
  • Carefully pour the prepared garlic Parmesan sauce over the lasagna roll-ups in the baking dish, ensuring that each roll-up is coated in the sauce. Next, spread the basil pesto evenly over the top of the roll-ups. It's perfectly fine if some of the pesto mixes with the sauce; in fact, it adds an extra layer of flavor! Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pesto.
    1/4 cup Basil pesto, 3/4 cup Mozarella cheese, 1 Pinch Parmesan Cheese
  • Place the baking dish with the lasagna roll-ups in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown. The cooking time may vary depending on your oven. Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Garnish with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese and some freshly chopped basil or julienned basil, if desired.
    1 Pinch Basil, ½ cup Parmesan cheese

Notes

Ingredients:
  • Chicken: Use cooked chicken. Leftovers or rotisserie chicken work great!
  • Mushrooms: Fresh mushrooms are best. Sauté them until golden brown and tender.
  • Pasta: Use oven-ready lasagna noodles.
  • Cheese: A combination of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella provides a creamy and flavorful filling.   
  • Pesto: Use your favorite homemade or store-bought pesto.
  • Sauce: You'll make a simple garlic Parmesan sauce for the base.
  • Seasonings: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper are used for flavor. 
  • Optional Garnishes: Fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese add a nice touch.
Cooking Tips:
  • Cook the Mushrooms: Sauté the mushrooms until they are golden brown and tender to enhance their flavor.
  • Prepare the Noodles: Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions. Lay them flat on an oiled surface to prevent sticking.
  • Make the Filling: Combine the ricotta, egg, pesto, garlic powder, and seasonings for a flavorful filling.
  • Assemble the Roll-Ups: Spread the filling on the noodles, top with mushrooms, chicken, and mozzarella, then roll them up tightly.
  • Make the Sauce: Use the same skillet to make a simple garlic Parmesan sauce. Whisk the ingredients well to avoid lumps.
  • Layer and Bake: Pour the sauce over the roll-ups, spread with pesto, and top with mozzarella. Bake until bubbly and golden.
  • Rest Before Serving: Let the lasagna roll-ups rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set slightly.
Serving Suggestions:
  • Garnish: Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese.
  • Sides: Serve with a side salad or garlic bread.
Variations:
  • Vegetables: Add other vegetables to the filling, such as spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini.
  • Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling or sauce for heat.
  • Meatless: Omit the chicken and use a vegetarian pesto for a meatless version.
With these tips, you'll be able to create delicious and satisfying Pesto Mushroom Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups!

Nutrition

Serving: 10oz | Calories: 468kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 568mg | Potassium: 491mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 982IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 403mg | Iron: 1mg

List of Ingredients:

Ingredients:

  • For the Mushrooms:

    • 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • ½ teaspoon thyme
    • Freshly ground salt and pepper
  • For the Lasagna Roll Ups:

    • 8 lasagna noodles
    • 2 cups shredded or finely chopped cooked chicken (about 1 pound)
    • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • For the Pesto Ricotta Filling:

    • 8 ounces whole milk ricotta
    • 1 egg
    • ⅓ cup of your favorite basil pesto
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • Freshly ground salt and pepper
  • For the Garlic Parmesan Cheese Sauce:

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 ¾ cups milk
    • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste
  • For Topping:

    • ¼ cup of your favorite basil pesto
    • ¾ cup shredded mozzarella
  • To Garnish:

    • Extra grated Parmesan cheese
    • Basil ribbons

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History of Pesto Mushroom Chicken Lasagna Roll-Ups

While Pesto Mushroom Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups might seem like a recent culinary invention, their history is actually a fascinating blend of Italian culinary traditions and American innovation! Here’s a look at the likely influences and evolution of this dish:

Italian Roots:

  • Lasagna’s Legacy: Lasagna, with its layered pasta, rich sauce, and melted cheese, has a long and storied history in Italy, dating back to the Middle Ages. It’s a cornerstone of Italian-American comfort food.
  • Pesto’s Origins: Pesto, the vibrant green sauce made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese, hails from Genoa, Italy. Its fresh, herbaceous flavor adds a distinctive touch to many Italian dishes.
  • Rotolo: Italian cuisine also features a tradition of rolled pasta dishes, known as rotolo. These often involve lasagna noodles filled with various ingredients, then baked or sometimes fried.

American Innovation:

  • Fusion Cuisine: The concept of lasagna roll-ups, where individual portions of lasagna are rolled up and baked, is a more modern, Americanized twist on the classic dish. It combines the familiar flavors of lasagna with a convenient and visually appealing presentation.
  • Creative Fillings: The combination of pesto, mushrooms, and chicken in the filling reflects the American tendency to experiment with flavors and create fusion dishes that blend different culinary traditions.

Likely Emergence:

  • Late 20th Century: Lasagna roll-ups likely started appearing in American kitchens and restaurants sometime in the late 20th century, as creative variations on classic dishes became more popular.
  • Convenience and Appeal: The individual portions and easy-to-eat format of lasagna roll-ups likely contributed to their popularity, especially for busy weeknight meals or casual gatherings.

Modern Variations:

Today, you’ll find countless variations of lasagna roll-ups, with different fillings, sauces, and cheeses. They remain a popular dish in restaurants and home kitchens, enjoyed for their comforting flavors and convenient format.

A Culinary Fusion:

Pesto Mushroom Chicken Lasagna Roll-Ups are a delicious example of how culinary traditions can blend and evolve. They take the essence of an Italian classic and give it an American twist, resulting in a satisfying and flavorful fusion dish that’s enjoyed by many.

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