Lowfat Vegetable Lasagna Recipes

LIGHTER VEGETABLE LASAGNE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Put the aubergine, courgette, pepper and onion in a large, shallow roasting tin. Scatter with the chilli flakes and season with pepper and a pinch of salt. Pour the oil over, toss together to coat (you can use your hands for this), then spread the vegetables out in a single layer. Roast for 15 mins, then give them a stir and spread them out again. Roast for another 10-15 mins until softened and turning golden.
• While the vegetables are roasting, make the tomato sauce. Tip the tomatoes into a medium pan, then pour 100ml water into the empty can, swirl it round and pour into the saucepan. Add the carrot and garlic, and simmer gently for 20-25 mins, partly covered with the lid and stirring occasionally, until the carrot is just tender. Stir in the tomato purée and the lentils, season with pepper and simmer for 2 mins more. Remove from the heat, stir in the basil and set aside.
• Tip the spinach into a large heatproof bowl, pour over boiling water, press the leaves into the water and leave for 30 secs. Drain in a large colander and rinse under cold water briefly to cool it down quickly. Squeeze the spinach to remove the excess water, then roughly chop. Beat the egg in a bowl and stir in the ricotta, oregano, nutmeg and some pepper.
• Lay the lasagne sheets, spread well out, in a large shallow roasting tin and pour boiling water over to cover. Move them around with a wooden spoon to make sure they aren't sticking, then leave for 5 mins. ('No pre-cook' lasagne sheets benefit from a brief soaking, which improves the texture and makes them more pliable for layering in the dish.) Drain well and immediately separate them out to prevent them sticking.
• When the vegetables have finished roasting, lower the heat to 200C/180C fan/ gas 6. Spread a very thin layer of the tomato sauce (about 2 big spoonfuls) over the bottom of an ovenproof dish, about 25 x 18 x 7cm deep and 2 litres capacity. Lay 3 lasagne sheets across the width of the dish and spread over half of the remaining sauce and half of the roasted vegetables. Cover with 3 more lasagne sheets, then spread the spinach over the top and season with pepper. Put the ricotta mixture on top in spoonfuls and spread out over the spinach. Cover with the last 3 lasagne sheets. Spread over the rest of the tomato sauce and then the remaining roasted vegetables. Scatter over the mozzarella and Parmesan to cover the vegetables and sauce as much as possible, then top with the cherry tomatoes. Season with pepper and lay a piece of foil loosely over the top. Can be made up to a day ahead and chilled - allow an extra few mins when baking the next day. Or freeze for up to 1 month and thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Bake for 35 mins, then remove the foil and bake for a further 5-10 mins until everything is bubbling around the edges. Scatter with oregano and basil leaves, and serve with a green salad.

SKINNY LASAGNA

Steps:

• Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain noodles as directed on package. Place in cold water.
• Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, cook beef and garlic over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in pasta sauce, ground red pepper and 1 teaspoon of the basil. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
• Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, beat egg slightly. Stir in ricotta cheese and remaining 1/2 teaspoon basil until blended. Drain noodles. Spread about 1/2 cup sauce mixture over bottom of baking dish. Top with 3 noodles, 1 1/2 cups of the sauce mixture, half of the ricotta mixture and 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining noodles, sauce and mozzarella cheese; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Spray 15-inch piece of foil with cooking spray. Cover lasagna with foil.
• Bake 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

VERY VEGGIE LASAGNA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to paper towels; blot dry.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring, until mushrooms are tender and any excess moisture has evaporated, about 15 minutes. Add tomato sauce, tomatoes, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, about 8 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Stir together ricotta, egg, rosemary, black pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl.
• Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, then spread with 3/4 cup mushroom mixture. Layer on 3 noodles, half of the remaining mushroom mixture, and 2/3 cup shredded cheese. Repeat with 3 noodles, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the squash. Then top with 3 noodles, remaining mushroom mixture, and 2/3 cup shredded cheese. Add remaining 3 noodles and remaining squash. Sprinkle with remaining 2/3 cup shredded cheese.
• Bake, uncovered, until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes. Slice into 12 pieces. Top with fresh sage leaves.

VEGETABLE LASAGNA (LOW FAT)

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 180°C.
• Tomato Sauce: Heat oil in a large saucepan.
• Sauté vegetables until tender.
• Stir through tomatoes, tomato paste, water and salt (or other seasonings) and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• White Sauce: Place flour in a saucepan or bowl.
• Gradually add milk, stirring until smooth.
• Place over medium heat and stir (or microwave on High 100% for 7 minutes, stirring after every minute) until mixture boils and thickens.
• Stir salt and cheese through sauce.
• To assemble, place a layer of lasagne sheets over the base of a lightly greased 20cm x 33cm ovenproof dish.
• Spread with half of the tomato mixture, then half of the white sauce mixture.
• Repeat lasagne, tomato and white sauce layers ending with white sauce.
• Sprinkle with extra cheese.
• Bake in moderate oven for 40 minutes.

LOW FAT VEGETABLE LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F
• Boil lasagna strips less than full cooking time on package. Mix vegetables with soup. In 9 x 13-inch glass baking dish, spread small amount of sauce. Put 3 strips of lasagna noodles on top. Spread 1/3 of the cheese on the lasagna and pour 1/2 of the vegetables on top. Pour more sauce on top of the vegetables. Repeat lasagna, Ricotta, vegetables and sauce. End with lasagna. Pour rest of sauce and cheese on top. Marble with rubber spatula.
• Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until top browns. Can be made ahead, covered with foil and left in warm oven for several hours before serving.