Tomato & Spinach “Ricotta” Vegan Lasagna

Posted on by llbalanced
Tomato & Spinach "Ricotta" Vegan Lasagna
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    [post_date] => 2017-11-10 08:56:42
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    [post_title] => Tomato & Spinach "Ricotta" Vegan Lasagna
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11.10

Y'all know I try to keep recipes as simple as possible for ya. I re-use ingredients, combine steps and share tips and tricks to make your cooking time efficient, while effective.

But every now and again, to make a recipe really amazing, you need to put a significant amount of time and elbow grease into it.

This is one of those recipes, and I can PROMISE you: it's worth it!

To recreate the richness, heartiness and umami of a traditional beef and cheese lasagna, each layer requires TLC and a range of flavors that come together in harmonious YUM. And for every bit effort you put into it, you are rewarded with a bite that will leave you shaking your head in pleasure!Even my hardcore carnivore husband adored this lasagna and ate more of it than I did! In our home, that is a plant-based triumph!  Plus, this recipe makes a TON of food, so you will be able to enjoy it throughout the week, or freeze some for the future.

All that said, if you want to try and use a store-bought tomato sauce to cut down on time, feel free. I just can't promise it will be as special.

As we head into the holidays this is a fantastic vegan entree to contribute to a meal, so that you (and others) can enjoy something truly satisfying and celebratory, while still holding true what's best for YOU.

If you give this vegan lasagna a try, please tag me on Instagram so I can see your creation! @lauraleabalanced #llbalanced.

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TOTAL TIME :50minutes60minutes30minutes
8-10servings
INGREDIENTS
  • TOMATO SAUCE
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspon red pepper flakes
  • 4 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
  • 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup dried red lentils
  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
  • 0.5 ounces fresh basil, roughly chopped (approx 1/2 cup)
  • SPINACH TOFU RICOTTA
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup yellow onion, chopped into 1/4" pcs (approx 1/2 medium onion)
  • 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • 14 oz extra firm tofu, drained and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 cups frozen spinach
  • 0.5 oz fresh basil, roughly chopped (approx 1/2 cup)
  • 1 teaspoon white miso paste
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • CASHEW BECHAMEL
  • 2 cups raw cashews
  • 2 1/2 cups room temp water
  • 1/3 cup arrowroot starch (sub cornstarch)
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons white miso paste
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ASSEMBLY
  • oven-ready no boil lasagna noodles (amt will depend on brand, suggest 2 boxes)
  • 13x9x2 pyrex casserole dish
DIRECTIONS
  1. MAKE TOMATO SAUCE: Combine salt through onion powder in a small bowl. Heat a large sauté pan or dutch oven to medium heat. Add olive oil, garlic and spices. You can add a splash of water as well to avoid sticking. Cook, stirring constantly, until garlic is fragrant (approximately 1 minute). Add remaining ingredients and turn heat to low. Cook, stirring every few minutes, until lentils are softened and have thickened the sauce (approximately 15 minutes).
  2. MAKE SPINACH TOFU RICOTTA: Heat a medium saucepan to medium heat and add olive oil and a splash of water. Add onion and cook, stirring periodically, until softened and translucent (8-10 minutes). Add garlic and cook, stirring, another minute. Set mixture aside to cool 5 minutes. Combine garlic/onion mixture and remaining ricotta tofu mixture to a food processor. Blend until completely smooth. Set aside.
  3. MAKE CASHEW BECHAMEL: Place cashews in a bowl and cover with hot tap water (NOT the 2 1/2 cups water listed in the ingredients). Soak for one hour, then rinse and drain. Combine chews and all remaining béchamel ingredients in a high powered blender and puree until smooth. Pour mixture into a saucepan and heat to simmer. Simmer, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens into a smooth, stretchy consistency (like melted cheese). Set aside and immediately start to assemble lasagna.
  4. ASSEMBLE: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease casserole dish evenly however you like—spray, butter, oil etc. Layer in the following order: -- 1/3 spinach ricotta -- lasagna noodles (can break them to create one uniform layer) -- 1/3 tomato sauce -- 1/4 cashew cheese (this doesn’t need to cover it completely, just spread a few dollops around -- lasagna noodles -- 1/3 spinach ricotta -- 1/3 tomato sauce --1/4 cashew cheese (this doesn’t need to cover it completely, just spread a few dollops around lasagna noodles -- 1/3 spinach ricotta -- 1/3 tomato sauce -- lasagna noodles -- remaining 1/2 cashew cheese. It’s important to spread this over the entire top layer of noodles; otherwise they won’t cook and will be hard Bake lasagna for 50 minutes. Allow to cool at least 30 minutes, but ideally overnight before serving. To reheat, place individual servings in the oven at 350 until warmed through.
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