Vegetarian Lasagna
Ingredients
ROASTED VEGETABLES (NOTE 1):
▢500 g / 1 lb pumpkin , 2cm / 4/5" cubes
▢2 large zucchinis , cut into 2cm / 4/5" chunks
▢2 onions (any type) , cut into wedges
▢2 tbsp olive oil
▢1 garlic clove , minced
▢Salt and pepper
SPINACH RICOTTA:
▢250 g / 8 oz frozen chopped spinach , thawed
▢500 g / 1 lb ricotta (Note 2)
▢1/2 cup / 50 g grated parmesan (or 3/4 cup shredded cheese)
▢1 egg
▢1 garlic clove , minced
▢1/8 tsp grated nutmeg, optional (fresh or powder)
▢1/2 tsp each Salt and pepper
SAUCE:
▢1 tbsp olive oil
▢1 garlic clove
▢1 small onion , finely chopped (any, I use brown)
▢700 g / 24 oz tomato passata (Note 3)
▢400 g / 14 oz crushed tomato
▢1/2 cup / 125 ml water
▢3/4 tsp each dried thyme and oregano (or basil, parsley)
▢1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes (can omit / adjust to taste)
▢Salt and pepper
LASAGNA:
▢330g / 11 oz jar roasted red pepper strips, drained (Note 4)
▢375 g / 13 oz fresh lasagne sheets (Note 5)
▢300 g / 3 cups shredded mozzarella (or MORE!)
Instructions
ROASTED VEGETABLES:
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).
SAUCE:
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.
RICOTTA MIXTURE:
Place ingredients in a bowl and mix until combined.
LASAGNA:
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!
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