What is good about lasagne with lentils
This recipe is perfect because it replaces meat with nutritious lentils while keeping all the classic flavours. Lasagne with lentils is a budget friendly way to feed a large group of people without needing expensive ingredients. The red lentils cook quickly and create a texture that is very similar to traditional mince. It is a great way to eat more vegetables and legumes in a familiar and comforting format.
Step by step: lasagne with lentils
Preparing the base: Fry the onion, garlic and carrots in a pan with a little oil until they are soft. Stir in the red lentils and tomato puree to coat the vegetables well.
Simmering the sauce: Add the chopped tomatoes, oregano and vegetable stock to the pan. Let the mixture simmer for twenty minutes until the lentils are tender and the sauce has thickened.
Building the layers: Spoon a layer of the lentil mixture into the bottom of a baking dish. Top with lasagne sheets and a layer of white sauce, then repeat these layers until all ingredients are used.
Baking the dish: Finish with a final layer of white sauce and a generous sprinkle of cheddar cheese. Bake the lasagne with lentils in the oven at 200C for thirty minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
Good advice for lasagne with lentils
If you want to save time, you can prepare the lentil sauce a day in advance and store it in the fridge. This allows the flavours to meld together and makes the final assembly much faster on a busy evening. Make sure to use enough white sauce between the layers to keep the pasta sheets moist and tender during the baking process.
You can also experiment with different cheeses like parmesan or mozzarella to change the flavour profile of your lasagne with lentils. Adding a pinch of chilli flakes to the tomato sauce can give the dish a subtle warmth if you enjoy a little spice. Always let the dish rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven to make it easier to slice into neat portions.
You might also enjoy
barbecued roast pork with crackling,
vegetarian patties or
prawn roulade.