Hearty Sweet Potato and Ricotta Vegetable Lasagna
This hearty and fulfilling Sweet Potato and Ricotta Vegetable Lasagna is a delightful twist on the traditional lasagna, made with a medley of nutritious vegetables. By using sweet potato instead of pumpkin, we've created a meal that's not only delicious but also has a lower glycemic index. The creamy ricotta cheese paired with the rich bechamel sauce makes this dish incredibly satisfying. Feel free to use any mix of vegetables you prefer, and experiment by swapping in pumpkin for an equally delightful dish. Note: This lasagna is robust and filling, perfect for family dinners, and makes for a great meal-prep option. If you freeze this, let us know how it turns out!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
lasagna sheets
250 g
ricotta cheese
300 g
parmesan cheese
1 cup (shredded)
butter
60 g
flour
1/4 cup
nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon
bay leaves
2
milk
2 1/2 cups
olive oil
2 tablespoons
garlic cloves
2 (crushed)
brown onion
1 (chopped)
sweet potatoes
500 g (sliced thickly)
zucchini
2 (sliced thickly)
mushrooms
200 g (roughly chopped)
fresh oregano leaves
2 tablespoons
tomatoes, canned and diced
800 g
tomato paste
140 g
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).
2
Prepare the bechamel sauce by melting butter in a low-heat pan. Add flour, stirring constantly, and cook for about a minute.
3
Remove the pan from heat and add bay leaves and nutmeg. Gradually whisk in the milk.
4
Return the pan to low heat. Whisk and stir for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove bay leaves, season with salt and pepper, and set aside.
5
In a large frypan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and crushed garlic for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
6
Add the sliced sweet potatoes to the pan, cook for another 3 minutes.
7
Mix in zucchini, mushrooms, and oregano. Cook for another 5 minutes or until the vegetables soften slightly.
8
Remove the mix from heat, incorporate the canned tomatoes and tomato paste.
9
To assemble the lasagna, spread half of the vegetable mixture at the bottom of a large, shallow ovenproof dish (26cm x 20cm x 5cm recommended).
10
Layer 1/3 of the lasagna sheets on top of the veggies. Spread all the ricotta cheese and sprinkle 1/4 of the parmesan cheese over it.
11
Add another layer of 1/3 lasagna sheets, cover with the remaining vegetable mix, and sprinkle another 1/4 of the parmesan.
12
Layer the final 1/3 of the lasagna sheets and pour the bechamel sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese ensuring complete coverage.
13
Bake for 45 minutes or until the top is golden and the lasagna is tender.
14
Serve hot with a large, crunchy salad on the side.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this lasagna recipe unique?
This recipe uses sweet potato instead of the traditional pumpkin, offering a delightful twist and a lower glycemic index.
Can I substitute sweet potato with pumpkin?
Yes, you can easily swap the sweet potato for pumpkin for an equally delicious version of this dish.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F) before baking the lasagna.
How do I prepare the bechamel sauce?
Melt butter in a pan, stir in flour for a minute, then gradually whisk in milk with nutmeg and bay leaves until thickened.
Which spices are used in the bechamel sauce?
The sauce is flavored with nutmeg, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
How long does it take for the bechamel sauce to thicken?
It typically takes about 5 minutes of whisking and stirring over low heat for the sauce to thicken.
What type of onion should I use?
The recipe calls for one chopped brown onion.
How should the garlic be prepared?
You should use 2 cloves of garlic that have been crushed.
How should the sweet potatoes and zucchini be sliced?
Both the sweet potatoes and the zucchini should be sliced thickly for the best texture.
What order should I sauté the vegetables?
Start with onion and garlic, then add sweet potatoes, followed by zucchini, mushrooms, and oregano.
What herbs are included in the vegetable mix?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of fresh oregano leaves.
When do I add the canned tomatoes and tomato paste?
Incorporate the canned tomatoes and tomato paste after the vegetable mix has been removed from the heat.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A large, shallow ovenproof dish measuring approximately 26cm x 20cm x 5cm is recommended.
How many layers of lasagna sheets are in this dish?
The lasagna is assembled using three layers of lasagna sheets.
Where does the ricotta cheese go in the assembly?
The ricotta cheese is spread over the first layer of lasagna sheets, along with 1/4 of the parmesan cheese.
How is the parmesan cheese distributed?
The parmesan is divided into quarters: one part over the ricotta, one part in the middle layer, and the remaining half on the very top.
What is the final layer of the lasagna?
The final layer consists of lasagna sheets topped with bechamel sauce and the remaining parmesan cheese.
How long should the lasagna bake?
Bake the lasagna for 45 minutes or until the top is golden and the vegetables are tender.
What is a recommended side dish for this meal?
This hearty lasagna is best served with a large, crunchy salad on the side.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this robust and filling lasagna is an excellent option for family dinners and meal prepping.
Can I freeze this vegetable lasagna?
Yes, the recipe notes that this lasagna can be frozen, making it a great make-ahead meal.
How much sweet potato do I need?
You will need 500g of thickly sliced sweet potatoes.
How many grams of lasagna sheets are required?
The recipe requires 250g of lasagna sheets.
What amount of ricotta cheese is used?
The recipe uses 300g of ricotta cheese.
What is the total amount of canned tomatoes needed?
You will need 800g of canned, diced tomatoes.
How much milk is used for the bechamel?
The bechamel sauce requires 2 1/2 cups of milk.
Which mushrooms are used?
The recipe calls for 200g of roughly chopped mushrooms.
How much butter is needed for the sauce?
You will need 60g of butter to start the bechamel sauce.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this is a vegetarian lasagna recipe made with a variety of vegetables and cheeses.
What is the benefit of using sweet potato over pumpkin?
Sweet potato provides a lower glycemic index, which can help in maintaining steadier blood sugar levels compared to pumpkin.