Creamy White Cheese and Vegetable Lasagna
Indulge in a comforting, gooey, and cheesy vegetable lasagna that celebrates a medley of fresh vegetables smothered in a luscious white sauce. This delightful dish offers a great way to sneak nutritious veggies into your meal without sacrificing flavor. Its creamy, savory layers will win the hearts of both adults and children alike. You'll find that this white-themed lasagna provides an exquisite taste and texture balance that makes every bite irresistible. Perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or even as leftovers, this meal is an absolute crowd-pleaser. Buon appetito!
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Lasagna Noodles
1/2 lb (soaked and drained)
Butter
1/2 cup (melted)
Onion
1 large (chopped)
Garlic cloves
3 cloves (minced)
All-purpose flour
1/2 cup
Salt & Freshly ground black pepper
to taste
Chicken broth
2 cups
Milk
1/2 cup
Mozzarella cheese
4 cups (shredded, divided)
Parmesan cheese
1 cup (grated, divided)
Carrot
1 cup (julienned)
Broccoli florets
1 cup (cut small if necessary)
Mushrooms
1 cup (sliced)
Zucchini
1 cup (thinly sliced)
Frozen spinach
10 ounces (thawed and squeezed dry)
Ricotta cheese
30 ounces
Fresh oregano
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
Fresh basil
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
Fresh parsley
4 tablespoons (finely chopped, divided)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Prepare a 9x13 inch baking pan by filling it with salted, almost boiling tap water. Soak the lasagna noodles in this hot water bath for about 10 minutes until they soften. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
3
Combine the carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, and zucchini in a microwave-safe bowl. Lightly steam them in the microwave for approximately 4 minutes, ensuring they remain tender-crisp. After microwaving, drain any excess liquid from the vegetables. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste.
4
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing continuously until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
5
To this, add the all-purpose flour along with a dash of salt and ground black pepper, cooking the mixture until it turns bubbly.
6
Carefully pour in the chicken broth and milk, along with the fresh oregano, basil, and 2 tablespoons of parsley. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly for about 1 minute until it thickens.
7
Turn off the heat and stir in 2 cups of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese until they melt smoothly into the sauce.
8
Start assembling the lasagna by spreading 1/3 of the sauce evenly over the bottom of the 9x13 inch baking pan. Place 3 lasagna noodles on top.
9
Evenly layer one container of ricotta cheese over the noodles. Spread half of the thawed spinach over the ricotta. Add half of the combined steamed vegetables, distributing them evenly.
10
Create another layer with 3 more noodles. Spread the remaining container of ricotta, then sprinkle with half of the remaining Parmesan cheese. Layer the rest of the spinach, remaining vegetables, and another 3 noodles.
11
Finish by spreading the remaining sauce on top, and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and the remaining parsley.
12
Bake the lasagna in your preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and the cheese starts to turn golden. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy White Cheese and Vegetable Lasagna?
It is a comforting and cheesy vegetable lasagna featuring a medley of fresh vegetables smothered in a luscious white sauce.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes approximately 12 servings.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
Do the lasagna noodles need to be boiled?
No, they are soaked in a hot water bath in a 9x13 inch pan for about 10 minutes until softened.
Which vegetables are featured in this recipe?
The recipe includes carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach.
How long should the vegetables be steamed?
Lightly steam the carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, and zucchini in the microwave for approximately 4 minutes.
How do I prepare the frozen spinach?
The 10 ounces of frozen spinach should be thawed and squeezed dry before use.
What ingredients are used for the white sauce?
The sauce is made from butter, onion, garlic, flour, chicken broth, milk, oregano, basil, parsley, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.
How much mozzarella is mixed into the sauce?
Two cups of mozzarella cheese are stirred into the sauce until melted.
How much parmesan is added to the sauce?
One quarter cup of parmesan cheese is added to the white sauce.
What is the total amount of ricotta cheese required?
The recipe requires 30 ounces of ricotta cheese.
How many garlic cloves are used?
You will need 3 minced garlic cloves for the sauce.
What is the first step of assembly?
Begin by spreading one third of the sauce over the bottom of the baking pan.
How many noodles are in each layer?
Each layer consists of 3 lasagna noodles.
How is the ricotta cheese layered?
One container of ricotta cheese is spread evenly over the noodles in the first and second ricotta layers.
How much parsley is needed?
The recipe calls for 4 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh parsley, used in the sauce and as a topping.
What is the total baking time?
The lasagna should be baked for 35 to 40 minutes.
How do I know when the lasagna is done?
The lasagna is ready when the top is bubbly and the cheese starts to turn golden.
Should the lasagna cool before serving?
Yes, allow the lasagna to cool for a few minutes before serving to help it set.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
While it uses chicken broth, you can make it vegetarian by substituting with vegetable broth.
How should the zucchini be cut?
The zucchini should be thinly sliced.
How much butter is needed for the roux?
Use one half cup of melted butter.
Should the steamed vegetables be seasoned?
Yes, season the steamed vegetables with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste.
How much milk is used in the sauce?
The sauce includes one half cup of milk.
What type of flour is recommended?
The recipe specifies using one half cup of all-purpose flour.
How should the broccoli be prepared?
Use one cup of broccoli florets, cut into small pieces if necessary.
What is the preparation for the carrots?
The carrots should be julienned into thin strips.
What is the total amount of mozzarella cheese used?
The recipe uses a total of 4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
What size baking pan is necessary?
A standard 9x13 inch baking pan is required.
What fresh herbs provide the flavor?
The flavor profile comes from fresh oregano, fresh basil, and fresh parsley.