Introduction
This Exotic Vegetable Lasagna is loaded with colorful vegetables, rich homemade tomato pasta sauce, creamy béchamel sauce, and layers of gooey mozzarella cheese. It’s a hearty, comforting, and restaurant-style vegetarian lasagna that’s perfect for family dinners, parties, or special occasions.
Ingredients for Tomato Pasta Sauce
- 3 tomatoes, grated or pureed
- ½ onion, chopped
- ¼ capsicum, chopped
- Salt to taste
- Sugar to taste
- Chilli flakes
- Fresh basil leaves
- 2–3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1–2 tbsp garlic, chopped
- Black pepper powder
- Chilli powder
- Mixed herbs (optional)
- 1 tbsp oil
Instructions for Tomato Pasta Sauce
- Heat oil in a pan and sauté the onions and garlic.
- Add chilli flakes followed by the grated tomatoes.
- Cover and simmer for a few minutes.
- Add tomato paste, ketchup, basil, sugar, salt, black pepper, chilli powder, and mixed herbs.
- Continue simmering until the sauce thickens and oil appears on the surface.
- Adjust seasoning. Your homemade pizza and pasta sauce is ready.
Ingredients for Béchamel Sauce
- 50 g butter
- 50 g plain flour
- 500 ml whole milk
- Mixed herbs
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Pinch of sugar
- Cheese (optional)
Instructions for Béchamel Sauce
- Melt the butter in a saucepan.
- Add the flour and stir continuously to form a roux.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously until smooth.
- Add salt, pepper, sugar, and mixed herbs.
- Cook for 5–10 minutes until thick.
- Add cheese if desired.
- Mix well and switch off the heat.
Vegetables
- ½ zucchini, chopped
- ¼ carrot, chopped
- 5–6 broccoli florets
- ½ onion, chopped
- 5–6 mushrooms, sliced
- ¼ cup boiled sweet corn
- 1 cup spinach, steamed and drained
- ½ bell pepper, chopped
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Chilli flakes
- 1–2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp garlic, chopped
Instructions for Vegetables
- Melt butter in a pan.
- Sauté the garlic and all the vegetables.
- Add salt, pepper, and chilli flakes.
- Cook for 4–5 minutes. Do not overcook the vegetables as they will bake later.
- Mix some béchamel sauce with the spinach and keep it separate if desired.
Other Ingredients
- 9 lasagna sheets, boiled and ready to use
- Mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
How to Assemble the Lasagna
- Take an ovenproof baking dish.
- Spread a layer of tomato pasta sauce.
- Place 3 lasagna sheets over the sauce.
- Add another layer of tomato sauce.
- Spread the sautéed vegetables evenly.
- Pour some béchamel sauce over the vegetables.
- Add another layer of 3 lasagna sheets.
- Spread the spinach mixture followed by more béchamel sauce.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese.
- Top with the remaining 3 lasagna sheets.
- Spread tomato sauce, béchamel sauce, and more mozzarella cheese.
- Finish with a few fresh basil leaves.
- Cover loosely with foil.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 25–30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes until the cheese turns golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
That’s it! Your delicious Exotic Vegetable Lasagna is ready.
Enjoy!
