Mom baked these whenever we had unexpected guests. Just 3 ingredients for a bubbly, herbaceous comfort dish that disappears in seconds.
Variations & Tips
To make this feel like a full meal, you can tuck in some pre-cooked, bite-sized chicken or sausage under the top layer of mozzarella while still keeping it low carb. For picky eaters who are unsure about pesto, use a little less pesto on their half of the dish and swirl it more gently so the flavor is milder, or mix a spoonful of pesto right into their portion of ricotta to soften the color and taste. You can also swap part of the mozzarella with shredded provolone or Monterey Jack for a different melt and flavor, or use a nut-free pesto if anyone has tree nut allergies. If you need it to be vegetarian, double-check that your pesto is made with vegetarian-friendly cheese. For a bit of texture, sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan before baking. Food safety tips: Keep the cheeses refrigerated until you’re ready to assemble, and don’t leave the finished dish at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If you add any meats, make sure they are fully cooked before layering them in, since this bake is mainly for melting and browning, not cooking raw proteins. Leftovers should be cooled, covered, and refrigerated within 2 hours and eaten within 3–4 days; reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven until hot and bubbling.
