Vegetarian Lasagne

Recipe by: Marie Simmons | from 365 Ways to Cook Pasta

Cookstr

Course: Main Course

Total Time: Under 2 Hours

Skill Level: Moderate

Cost: Moderate

Photo by: Joseph De Leo

Yield: Serves 8-10

INGREDIENTS

12 whole lasagne noodles (about 12 ounces)
1 small bunch broccoli (about 12 ounces), stalks trimmed, washed
4 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
2 containers (15 ounces each) ricotta cheese
2 eggs, beaten
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
Freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of nutmeg
2 large carrots, trimmed, peeled, and coarsely chopped
2 cans (15 ounces each) whole tomatoes with juices, cut up with scissors
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
Salt
8 ounces large mushrooms, wiped clean and coarsely chopped
1 green or red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)

Directions

1. Cook lasagne noodles in plenty of boiling salted water until al dente, or firm to the bite, about 12 minutes; drain. Let noodles sit in bowl of cool water until ready to use.

2. Steam the broccoli in a rack set over 1 inch simmering water, covered, until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Cool; coarsely chop; set aside.

3. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium skillet; add onion; sauté until tender. Add 1 teaspoon of the garlic; sauté 1 minute.

4. In a bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, half the sautéed onion, the ricotta, eggs, 2 tablespoons of tile Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, and a pinch each of black pepper and nutmeg; set aside.

5. Add the chopped carrots to the onion remaining in the skillet; sauté, stirring, over medum heat until crisp-tender; stir in the tomatoes. Cook, stirring, until boiling gently. Boil, stirring, until sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes; stir in 1 tablespoon of the remaining parsley, the basil, and salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a small bowl. Wipe out skillet.

6. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the skillet; add the mushrooms. Sauté, stirring, over medium neat, until liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add green or red bell pepper; sauté until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon garlic; sauté 1 minute. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon parsley and the lemon juice; season with salt and pepper.

7. Heat oven to 350°F. Select a shallow 4-quart baking dish approximately 10 × 14 inches. Spoon about 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce over the bottom of the dish. Lift the lasagne noodles from the water individually and blot dry on paper toweling. Arrange a single layer of noodles in dish.

8. Spread the mushroom layer over the noodles; sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella and 1 tablespoon of the remaining Parmesan. Top with a second layer of noodles. Spread with the ricotta and broccoli mixture; sprinkle with ½ cup of the mozzarella. Top with a third layer of noodles. Spread with the tomato sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon Parmesan and the remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella.

9. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 40 minutes. Let stand at least 15 minutes before serving.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Nutritional information is based on 10 servings and 1/8 teaspoon added salt per serving.

Calories 384kcal (19%)

Calcium 273mg (27%)

Vitamin C 55mg (92%)

Vitamin A 285mcg RAE (9%)

Potassium 622mg

Magnesium 53mg

Protein 19g

Sugar 6g