The Vegetarian Lasagna That Fooled My Father Recipes

WORLD'S BEST (NOW VEGETARIAN!) LASAGNA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in plant-based sausage, meat substitute crumbles, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, 1 tablespoon parsley, sugar, basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles; cook 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse noodles with cold water.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Meanwhile, stir together egg, ricotta, remaining 2 tablespoons parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl.
• To assemble lasagna, spread 1/3 of the sauce in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over sauce. Spread with 1/2 of the ricotta mixture. Top with 1/3 of the mozzarella slices. Spoon 1/3 of the sauce over mozzarella and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Repeat layers and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Bake, covered with cooking spray-coated foil, for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake until hot and bubbly, about 25 minutes more. Cool for 15 minutes before slicing into 12 equal servings.

VEGETABLE LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200C/390F.
• Place vegetables on the tray, drizzle with oil, sprinkle with garlic, salt and pepper. Toss.
• Roast for 25 minutes, turning at 15 minutes, until tender and browned.
• Remove from oven, loosen from tray with spatula while warm (can stick when cools).
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 3 minutes until golden.
• Add passata, crushed tomato, water, dried herbs, chilli, salt and pepper. Stir. Simmer on medium low heat for 20 minutes. Adjust salt at the end. *Add a teeny touch of sugar if it's a bit sour, depends on quality of tomatoes used.*
• Remove from stove and let cool for 5 minutes before using.
• Place ingredients in a bowl and mix until combined.
• Preheat oven to 160C/320F.
• Spread a ladle of tomato sauce on the base of a large baking dish (Note 5).
• Cover with lasagna sheets, tearing as required to fit.
• Top with roasted vegetables, scatter over red peppers. Spoon over 2 1/2 cups of Sauce, then sprinkle with half the cheese.
• Cover with lasagna sheets. Spread over Ricotta mixture.
• Cover with lasagna sheets. Pour over remaining sauce and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until the cheese is golden. If using dried lasagna sheets, stick a knife in the middle to ensure it's cooked - if it needs longer, cover and stick it back in the oven.
• Rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving. Store leftovers per notes - brilliant reheated!

VEGETARIAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• For the sauce: Put the olive oil and garlic in a medium pot over low heat. Cook the garlic, stirring occasionally at first and more often as it colors, until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Raise the heat to medium-low, add the onions and a large pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and red pepper flakes, and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, bay leaves, basil sprig, thyme and 1 teaspoon salt, raise the heat to medium and bring the sauce to a lively simmer. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until quite thick (if you draw a spoon through the sauce, you'll see the bottom of the pot for a few seconds before the sauce fills back in), about 30 minutes. As the sauce thickens, turn the heat down a bit so the bottom doesn't scorch. Stir in the chopped basil. Let cool to room temperature before assembling the lasagna. (Makes 1 quart.)
• To assemble: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Squeeze the spinach in your hands to remove as much liquid as possible. Put it in a large bowl, and stir in the ricotta, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, the egg, 1 teaspoon salt and the nutmeg.
• Spread 3/4 cup of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Lay 3 lasagna noodles across the sauce (they won't touch). Spread 3/4 cup tomato sauce on top. Dollop 1/3 of the ricotta mixture (about 1 cup) across the sauce, and use the back of a spoon to spread it (it will smush into the tomato sauce, which is fine). Scatter 1 cup of the mozzarella on top.
• Repeat the layering 2 more times. Top with the last 3 noodles, spread the last 3/4 cup tomato sauce over them and scatter the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan over the top. Spray a large piece of foil with cooking spray, and cover the baking dish.
• Bake until the noodles are soft and the cheese has melted, about 40 minutes. Remove the foil, and continue to bake until the cheese is bubbling and the lasagna is slightly browned around the edges, about 15 minutes more. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

HEARTY VEGETABLE LASAGNA

Steps:

• Cook the lasagna noodles in a large pot of boiling water for 10 minutes, or until al dente. Rinse with cold water, and drain.
• In a large saucepan, cook and stir mushrooms, green peppers, onion, and garlic in oil. Stir in pasta sauce and basil; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes.
• Mix together ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella cheese, and eggs.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread 1 cup tomato sauce into the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer 1/2 each, lasagna noodles, ricotta mix, sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Repeat layering, and top with remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese.
• Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

THE BEST VEGETARIAN LASAGNA RECIPE EVER

Steps:

• Add the olive oil to a large pan over medium heat. When hot, add the onion, bell pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent and the pepper is tender, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for one more minute.
• Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, honey or sugar, salt, and pepper. If you're using whole tomatoes, break up the tomatoes with a spoon. To save time, I will sometimes give whole tomatoes a quick spin in the blender to break them down a bit, then add them to the pot. (This is also a good method if you're serving people who don't like tomato chunks in their sauce).
• Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, until the sauce comes to a boil. Turn the heat to low, partially cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Add the parsley, then remove from the heat.
• Heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Grab a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan. Smear a little of the sauce on the bottom of the pan. Add a single layer of pasta, breaking to fit as needed. Using a couple of spoons (one to scoop and one to scrape it off), plop half the ricotta all over the noodles in little mounds. Top with 1/3 of the remaining sauce. Sprinkle on half of the mozzarella.
• Repeat with a layer of pasta, then the rest of the ricotta, then another third of the sauce, then the remaining mozzarella.
• Add a last layer of pasta and spread the remaining sauce over the top. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
• Bake until bubbly and melty and the pasta is tender, about 45 minutes. If the top begins to get brown, cover with foil during the last 10 minutes or so of baking.
• Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.
• Keeps refrigerated covered or in an airtight container for about 3 days. It also keeps frozen for several months. I have also frozen single-portion leftovers in individual freezer bags for quick and easy lunches.

VEGETARIAN MEXICAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, jalapenos, bell pepper, and garlic; cook and stir until onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and add salsa, black beans, corn, chili powder, and cumin. Bring to a simmer; let simmer for 5 minutes.
• Combine 2 cups pepper Jack cheese, ricotta cheese, spinach, egg, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
• Place 6 corn tortillas in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add 1/2 of the vegetable mixture using a slotted spoon, followed by 1/2 of the cheese and spinach mixture. Add a layer of 6 tortillas and follow with remaining vegetables and remaining cheese mixture. Top with remaining tortillas. Spread enchilada sauce across the top and remaining pepper Jack cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbly, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

VEGETARIAN LASAGNA (THAT MEAT EATERS WILL LOVE!)

Steps:

• For this recipe, you are essentially just creating the different elements for the lasagna and then layering them. There is a tomato sauce layer, a pasta layer, a béchamel sauce layer, and a cheese layer.
• Saute the garlic and onion in a large, wide bottomed saucepan.
• Meanwhile chop up your zucchini, mushrooms, and tofu, if using. Size is what you prefer. You can put them through a food processor if you are running short on time or better yet, pass this job to your lowly sous-chef.
• When the onions are nearly softened, add the chopped veggies (and tofu) to the saucepan.
• Once the vegetables are somewhat softened, add the tomato puree, bay leaf, oregano, dried basil, chili powder, salt and pepper. Taste as you go for your preference in saltiness and spiciness. Remember, ambitious guests can always add more spice at the table.
• Bring the tomato sauce to a simmer and then keep it aside on a very low heat.
• Now create the béchamel sauce. Melt the butter into a saucepan and then slowly add the flour, stirring constantly as you go.
• Once the butter and flour are blended, slowly add the milk, again stirring as you do.
• Now add the softened goat cheese to the mixture and stir until blended. Spice the sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. Lastly, let simmer until thickened. Add milk if it thickens too quickly (you want a gravy consistency).
• Now you are ready for assembly. Pour a spoonful of sauce onto the bottom of a large (9x13 inch) baking dish (glass or aluminum) to just cover the surface. Then add a layer of lasagna noodles, a layer of sauce, a layer of mozzarella, and then another layer of lasagna. For the next layer, add a thick layer of the goat cheese bechemal sauce. Continue layering, adding in fresh basil leaves as you like in the middle layers. Finish off with a layer of lasagna topped with mozzarella.
• Bake about 25 minutes in ? degree oven and serve to great delight.
• NOTE: For a more robust tomato sauce, you can use Alan Leonetti's marinara sauce recipe (Recipe #84217), especially if you've made it in advance and frozen it.
• NOTE: Variation With Ground Beef: To make a more traditional meat lasagna I follow the same recipe as above but I omit the tofu (of course!) and the goat cheese. I still use the mushroom and courgette/zucchini but I cut back on the amount. I brown the beef in a separate pan and then combine it in the layer of tomato and vegetable sauce. The addition of the courgette/zucchini and mushroom in with the meat it usually a welcome twist!

THE VEGETARIAN LASAGNA THAT FOOLED MY FATHER

Steps:

• You'll need a large glass baking dish or 5 to 6 miniature loaf pans to make this dish.
• Blanch zucchini in boiling water for 1- 1.5 minutes.
• Drain zucchini and place between tea towels to remove as much moisture as possible. Otherwise your lasagna will be watery.
• Sautee chopped mushrooms in olive oil, seasoning with salt & pepper.
• Add soy crumbles to mushroom mixture and sautee 1-2 minutes, then add spaghetti sauce.
• In a separate bowl, mix ricotta, cottage cheese, parmesan, garlic powder & salt & pepepr to taste.
• Begin by layering the bottom of your loaf pan(s) with strips of zucchini, then a layer of the cheese mixture, and finally a layer of sauce,a nd repeat. This should just about fill your pans.
• Cover with a layer of mozzarella.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and/or foil and freeze, or bake at 400 for 30 minute.
• If taking out of the freezer, thaw in the fridge for a day and pop in the oven at 400 degrees for 30 - 40 minutes.

VEGETARIAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a sauce pot melt the butter and sauté the (vegetables ingredients from Butter and below only)until softened.
• Add cream and watch it does not boil over.
• Add cheese and spices until melted.
• once melted put in blender and lightly blend.
• Keep sauce warm.
• Heat olive oil and combine all vegetables (zucchini, mushrooms, pepper, leeks) and fry until softened.
• Add parsley and spinach until just lightly soft and then add ricotta.
• Add the sauce (not all, but enough to your liking) and blend.
• In a lasagna pan add a little sauce to bottom and start to stack lasagna with veggie sauce mixture with each layer. Also now add cheddar and mozzarella alternate until all pasta is finished top with the mixture and cheese and a little more sauce.
• Preheat oven to 375 and cover lasagna bake for 20 minutes and uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes.
• If your time is short you can substitute making the sauce with your favorite primavera packaged sauce mix.

VEGETARIAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Cook onion and garlic in oil until translucent, add spinach and heat through.
• Stir in 2 T. of parsley, the basil, sugar, tomatoes and tomato sauce, breaking up tomatoes with a spoon.
• Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat.
• Simmer uncovered about 45 minutes or until slightly thickened.
• Heat oven to 350.
• Cook and drain noodles as directed on package.
• While noodles are cooking, mix ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, oregano and remaining 1 T. parsley.
• Add the vegetarian crumbles to the tomato sauce, heat through.
• Spread half of the spinach mixture in ungreased 9 x 13 pan.
• Top with 4 noodles.
• Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over noodles.
• Sprinkle with 1 cup of Italian cheese blend.
• Repeat layers, ending with Italian cheese blend.
• Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese.
• Cover and bake 30 minutes.
• Uncover and bake about 15 minutes longer or until hot and bubbly.
• Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

VEGETARIAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Cut the eggplant, zucchini, pepper and onion into chunks and put them in an oven tray with the tomatoes and garlic.
• Add a couple of tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and season well with salt and pepper. Stir well and roast in the oven at 200c/400F for 45 minutes to an hour until the vegetables are very soft and starting to brown.If they get slightly blackened all the better for the flavor. Just don't BURN!
• When the vegetables are cooked, stir in the olives and basil and you are ready to start layering.
• Put one third of the vegetable mixture at the base of a heatproof baking dish. Cover with one third of the mozzarella and follow with a layer of lasagna sheets. Add a third of the cottage cheese or ricotta.
• Repeat these layers, finishing with a layer of cottage cheese or ricotta and sprinkle with Parmesan.
• Bake the lasagna for about 30-40 minutes until golden.
• Serve with a green salad, some Italian bread and, of course some Italian red wine!