Hearty Vegan Lasagne with Creamy Sauce
This hearty vegan lasagne is a delightful twist on a classic dish, perfect for any occasion. Made with a rich and flavorful tomato and lentil bolognese, it combines layers of tender pasta, sautéed vegetables, and a creamy soy-based sauce. The combination of fresh herbs and spices creates a mouth-watering aroma that will fill your kitchen, enticing everyone to the table. Enjoyed by my husband and friends, it's a satisfying meal that even non-vegans will love. Perfect for utilizing leftovers, this recipe is easily customizable with any vegetable soup or broth you have on hand. Dive into a warm plate of this gorgeous lasagne and enjoy every bite!
6
Servings
158
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (for frying)
Vegetable soup or leftover easy green broth
400 g (any kind with lentils and barley)
Vegan mincemeat
250 g (broken up)
Celery ribs
3 (diced)
Garlic cloves
4 (crushed)
Onions
3 (diced)
Mushrooms
100 g (diced)
Vegetable bouillon cubes
2 (dissolved in broth)
Vegan gravy granules
4 teaspoons (for thickening)
Fresh thyme
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon (to taste)
Canned peeled plum tomatoes
400 g (crushed)
Tomato paste
1 tablespoon (to enrich flavor)
Dry lasagna noodles
10 (uncooked)
Soya milk
3/4 pint (for creamy sauce)
Cornstarch
2 tablespoons (for thickening)
Nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon (optional for flavor)
Vegan parmesan cheese
to taste (for topping)
Salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
2
2. Stir in the chopped celery and sauté for an additional 2 minutes, followed by the diced mushrooms and crushed garlic. Cook for another 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
3
3. Add the vegan mincemeat to the pan and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to break it up.
4
4. Pour in the vegetable soup and bring to a gentle simmer. Crush the canned plum tomatoes in your hands as you add them to the pan, along with the tomato paste, bouillon cubes, and herb seasonings (thyme, rosemary, Italian seasoning).
5
5. Allow the mixture to come to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken the sauce.
6
6. Preheat your oven to gas mark 7 (425°F or 220°C).
7
7. In a large baking dish, add the dry lasagna noodles, drizzle with olive oil, and cover with boiling water. Let them soak for 10 minutes to soften.
8
8. Stir the vegan gravy granules into the bolognese mixture still in the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.
9
9. Drain the lasagna sheets and begin layering: start with a spoonful of bolognese sauce, followed by a layer of lasagna noodles. Repeat this process, finishing with a layer of bolognese sauce on top.
10
10. In a separate saucepan, whisk together the soy milk and cornstarch over low heat, adding a little vegan butter and optional nutritional yeast if desired. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens.
11
11. Pour the creamy sauce over the top layer of bolognese and noodle, then sprinkle vegan parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
12
12. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbling and golden. Optionally, uncover for the last 5-10 minutes to achieve a crispy top.
13
13. Allow it to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your hearty and delicious vegan lasagne!
Nutrition Information
5
Fat
22
Carbs
7
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is for Hearty Vegan Lasagne with Creamy Sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Yes, this recipe is 100% vegan, utilizing plant-based ingredients like vegan mincemeat, soy milk, and vegan cheese.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains 158 calories.
How much protein is in one serving of this lasagne?
There are 7 grams of protein per serving.
What are the fat and carbohydrate counts per serving?
Each serving contains 5 grams of fat and 22 grams of carbohydrates.
Can I use leftover soup in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe suggests using 400g of vegetable soup or leftover easy green broth, preferably with lentils and barley.
What vegetables are included in the bolognese?
The bolognese includes diced onions, celery ribs, mushrooms, and crushed garlic.
What type of vegan meat is used?
The recipe calls for 250g of vegan mincemeat.
How do I thicken the bolognese sauce?
The bolognese is thickened using 4 teaspoons of vegan gravy granules.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The recipe uses fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, and Italian seasoning.
How are the canned tomatoes prepared?
You should use 400g of canned peeled plum tomatoes and crush them in your hands as you add them to the pan.
Do I need to boil the lasagna noodles?
No, you should soak the dry lasagna noodles in boiling water with a drizzle of olive oil for 10 minutes to soften them before layering.
What temperature should the oven be?
The oven should be preheated to gas mark 7, which is 425°F or 220°C.
What type of milk is used for the creamy sauce?
The creamy sauce is made using 3/4 pint of soya milk.
How is the creamy sauce thickened?
The soy milk is whisked with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch over low heat until it thickens.
Is nutritional yeast used in this recipe?
Yes, nutritional yeast is an optional ingredient that can be added to the creamy sauce for extra flavor.
What is used for the topping?
The lasagne is topped with vegan parmesan cheese and seasoned with salt and pepper.
How long does the lasagne need to bake?
The lasagne should bake for 30 to 35 minutes until bubbling and golden.
How can I get a crispy top on the lasagne?
You can uncover the dish for the last 5 to 10 minutes of baking to achieve a crispy top.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
The first step is to heat olive oil in a large skillet and saute diced onions for 5 minutes until translucent.
How long should I saute the celery?
The celery should be sauteed for an additional 2 minutes after the onions.
How long should the bolognese simmer?
The bolognese mixture should simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken.
How many lasagna noodles are needed?
The recipe requires 10 dry lasagna noodles.
Is this recipe suitable for making ahead of time?
Yes, one of the tags for this recipe is 'make-ahead', indicating it is suitable for preparation in advance.
Does the recipe use bouillon?
Yes, it uses 2 vegetable bouillon cubes dissolved in the broth or soup.
How do I start the layering process?
Start with a spoonful of bolognese sauce on the bottom of the dish, followed by a layer of lasagna noodles.
What is the final layer of the lasagne?
The final layers consist of the creamy sauce poured over the top layer of bolognese and noodles, finished with vegan parmesan.
How long should the lasagne cool before serving?
The recipe recommends allowing it to cool slightly before serving to help it set.
What makes this recipe 'hearty'?
The combination of lentils, barley from the soup, vegan mincemeat, and various vegetables creates a dense and satisfying texture.