Hearty Lentil & Sausage Layered Bake
This Hearty Lentil & Sausage Layered Bake combines nutritious lentils with savory sausages, vibrant red peppers, and fresh spinach, all nestled between layers of creamy sour cream and melty cheese. Perfect for meal prepping, this dish can be easily frozen for later enjoyment, making it an ideal one-dish meal for busy families. Each bite offers a delicious blend of flavors and textures, ensuring that you won't miss the meat. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor. Serve this comforting dish on a chilly evening or any day you need a warm, filling meal. It's sure to become a new favorite in your household!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
2 teaspoons (for frying)
Thin pork or beef sausages
8 links (sliced)
Red onions
2 (thinly sliced)
Garlic cloves
3 (crushed)
Red pepper
1 (chopped)
Brown lentils
400 g (drained)
Fresh spinach
4 cups (chopped)
Ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon
Water or wine
2 cups
Salt
to taste
Fresh ground black pepper
to taste
Light sour cream
250 g
Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup (finely grated)
Instant lasagna sheets
250 g
Tasty cheese
1 cup (grated)
Fresh parsley leaves
to garnish
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F). Lightly grease a 10-cup ovenproof and freezer-proof dish. Set aside.
2
In a large non-stick pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausages and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove sausages from the pan and drain on absorbent paper before slicing them thinly.
3
In the same pan, add the sliced onions, crushed garlic, and chopped red pepper. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
4
Stir in the sliced sausages, drained lentils, chopped spinach, ground cumin, and your choice of water or wine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
5
In a medium bowl, mix together the light sour cream and grated parmesan until well combined.
6
In the prepared dish, layer one-quarter of the instant lasagna sheets at the bottom. Spread one-quarter of the sour cream mixture over the sheets, then top with one-third of the sausage-lentil mixture.
7
Repeat the layering process two more times with the remaining lasagna sheets, sour cream mixture, and sausage and lentil mixture. Finish with the remaining sour cream mixture on top.
8
Sprinkle the grated tasty cheese evenly over the top layer.
9
Cover the dish with foil, place it on an oven tray, and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or until the lasagna sheets are tender.
10
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
11
Let the dish stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley leaves for an added touch.
12
To freeze, complete the dish up to the end of step 11. Allow to cool, then cover tightly with plastic wrap, label, and date it. This dish can be frozen for up to 2 months.
13
To serve from frozen, transfer the dish to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Remove the plastic wrap, place the dish on an oven tray, and bake in a hot oven (200°C) for about one hour or until heated through. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is browned. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving, garnished with parsley.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hearty Lentil & Sausage Layered Bake?
It is a nutritious one-dish meal that combines lentils, savory sausages, red peppers, and spinach layered with creamy sour cream and melty cheese.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F) before baking.
What size dish is required for this recipe?
You should use a 10-cup ovenproof and freezer-proof dish.
What types of sausages can I use?
The recipe calls for 8 links of thin pork or beef sausages.
How do I prepare the sausages?
Brown the sausages in a pan, drain them on absorbent paper, and then slice them thinly.
Which vegetables are included in the bake?
The bake includes red onions, garlic, red pepper, and fresh spinach.
What kind of lentils are needed?
You will need 400g of brown lentils, which should be drained before use.
How much spinach is used in this dish?
The recipe requires 4 cups of chopped fresh spinach.
What spice provides the main flavor profile?
Ground cumin is used to add flavor to the sausage and lentil mixture.
Can I use wine in this recipe?
Yes, you can use 2 cups of either water or wine as the liquid base.
How is the creamy layer made?
The creamy layer is a mixture of 250g of light sour cream and 3/4 cup of finely grated parmesan cheese.
What kind of pasta sheets are used?
The recipe uses 250g of instant lasagna sheets.
How many layers of lasagna sheets are there?
The dish consists of four layers of lasagna sheets.
How do I layer the ingredients?
Layer lasagna sheets first, followed by the sour cream mixture, and then the sausage-lentil mixture, repeating this three times.
What cheese is used for the topping?
One cup of grated tasty cheese is sprinkled evenly over the top layer.
How long should the dish be baked while covered?
Bake the dish covered with foil for 40 minutes.
How long should the dish be baked uncovered?
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Should the dish rest after baking?
Yes, let the dish stand for 5 minutes before serving to help it set.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Yes, this dish can be frozen for up to 2 months after it has been fully cooked and cooled.
How should I store the dish in the freezer?
Cover the cooled dish tightly with plastic wrap, label it, and date it before freezing.
How do I reheat the dish from frozen?
Thaw the dish overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at 200°C for one hour covered, and 15 minutes uncovered.
What is a good garnish for this bake?
Fresh parsley leaves are recommended as a garnish for color and flavor.
Can I use red onions instead of white?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 thinly sliced red onions for their flavor and color.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
You will need 3 crushed garlic cloves.
How long do I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the onions, garlic, and red pepper for about 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
Is this dish suitable for meal prepping?
Yes, it is an ideal one-dish meal for busy families and great for preparing in advance.
What should I do if the lasagna sheets are still hard?
Ensure the dish is baked covered for at least 40 minutes to allow the steam to tenderize the instant sheets.
Is there a vegetarian option for this recipe?
Yes, the description suggests that because of the hearty lentils, you can substitute sausages for meat-free alternatives.
What is tasty cheese?
Tasty cheese is a common term for a matured or sharp cheddar cheese.
Does this recipe require a lot of oil?
No, it only requires 2 teaspoons of olive oil for browning the sausages and sautéing the vegetables.