Creamy Vegetable Lasagna with Homemade Bechamel
Indulge in this rich and satisfying Creamy Vegetable Lasagna With Homemade Bechamel, a delightful twist on a classic dish. Layers of tender vegetables, creamy cheeses, and a luscious béchamel sauce combine to create a comforting one-dish meal that’s perfect for family gatherings or meal prep. This recipe is packed with flavor from sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, and roasted peppers, complemented by a generous mix of cheeses. Serve it fresh from the oven for a warm, hearty meal that will impress everyone at your table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
Part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup (none)
Part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 cups (shredded)
Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup (grated (1/2 cup for cheese layer, 1/4 cup for béchamel))
Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Onion
1 medium (sliced)
Garlic cloves
4 (minced)
Zucchini
1 medium (shredded)
Mushrooms
6 ounces (sliced thin)
Diced tomatoes
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (none)
Roasted peppers
1 (12 ounce) jar (sliced)
Tomato paste
3 ounces (none)
Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon (none)
Crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon (or curry paste)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Butter
8 tablespoons ((1 stick))
Flour
1/2 cup (none)
Low-fat milk
1 1/2 cups (2%)
Eggs
2 (beaten)
Lasagna noodles
1 (16 ounce) box (cooked)
Fresh spinach
10 ounces (optional)
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Vegetable Lasagna with Homemade Bechamel?
It is a rich and satisfying vegetarian twist on the classic lasagna dish, featuring layers of tender vegetables, creamy cheeses, and a luscious homemade white sauce.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
This lasagna includes shredded zucchini, thinly sliced mushrooms, sliced roasted peppers, onions, and minced garlic, with an option to add fresh spinach.
How is the homemade béchamel sauce made?
The béchamel is a white sauce made using 8 tablespoons of butter, 1/2 cup of flour, 1 1/2 cups of low-fat milk, and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
What types of cheese are used in the lasagna?
The recipe uses part-skim ricotta, part-skim mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
Two beaten eggs are used, typically mixed into the cheese layer to help it set during baking.
Can I add spinach to this lasagna?
Yes, the recipe suggests 10 ounces of fresh spinach as an optional ingredient to enhance the vegetable layers.
What kind of milk is recommended for the sauce?
The recipe specifies 1 1/2 cups of 2% low-fat milk.
How should the zucchini be prepared?
One medium zucchini should be shredded before being added to the vegetable mixture.
Is this lasagna spicy?
It has a very mild kick from 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, which can be adjusted or replaced with curry paste if desired.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for 4 minced garlic cloves to provide a robust flavor.
What size box of lasagna noodles is required?
You will need one 16-ounce box of lasagna noodles, which should be cooked before assembly.
How much butter is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 8 tablespoons of butter, which is equivalent to one full stick.
What seasonings are used for the vegetable base?
The vegetables are seasoned with one tablespoon of Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
How are the mushrooms prepared?
6 ounces of mushrooms should be sliced thin for even distribution throughout the layers.
What type of tomatoes are used?
The recipe uses one 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes and 3 ounces of tomato paste.
How is the Parmesan cheese divided in the recipe?
A total of 3/4 cup is used: 1/2 cup goes into the cheese layer and 1/4 cup is stirred into the béchamel sauce.
What preparation is needed for the onion?
One medium onion should be sliced before being sautéed with the other vegetables.
Is the ricotta cheese full-fat or part-skim?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 cup of part-skim ricotta cheese.
How should the fresh parsley be prepared?
The 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley should be chopped before being added to the cheese mixture.
Can I use roasted peppers from a jar?
Yes, the recipe suggests using one 12-ounce jar of roasted peppers, sliced.
What is the serving suggestion for this dish?
It is best served fresh and warm from the oven, making it ideal for family gatherings or meal prep.
What is the primary thickener for the white sauce?
A roux made from butter and 1/2 cup of flour is used to thicken the milk into a béchamel.
How much mozzarella is needed?
The recipe requires 2 cups of shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese.
Does this recipe contain meat?
No, this is a vegetable-based lasagna and does not include meat ingredients.
Is the lasagna assembled with raw or cooked noodles?
The noodles should be cooked according to package directions before you begin layering the lasagna.
What is the purpose of the tomato paste?
3 ounces of tomato paste are used to add depth of flavor and thickness to the vegetable and tomato mixture.
Can I substitute the crushed red pepper?
Yes, the recipe notes that curry paste can be used as an alternative to crushed red pepper flakes.
What provides the 'creamy' element in this lasagna?
The creaminess comes from the combination of the homemade béchamel sauce, ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella.
Is there a specific amount of salt and pepper to use?
The recipe suggests 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon of salt, both of which can be adjusted to taste.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 21 distinct ingredients listed, including optional spinach and pantry staples like flour and butter.