Affordable vegetarian lasagna with red lentils, carrots, and cheese sauce. Perfect for batch cooking and freezing.
The cheese sauce can be substituted for bechamel sauce.
Ingredients Lentil and Tomato Sauce 1-2 yellow onions 200 ml dried red or green lentils (2 dl) 400 ml crushed tomatoes (4 dl) 300 ml water (3 dl) 2 carrots (suggestion: 1 parsnip + 1 carrot) (optional) some leftover red wine (store frozen in the fridge) or balsamic vinegar (optional) 2 tbsp soy sauce (optional) some frozen vegetables, like spinach 1 vegetable bouillon cube 1 tbsp tomato paste (15 ml) 2 garlic cloves 1 tbsp dried herbs (basil/oregano/thyme) (15 ml) salt and black pepper oil for cooking Cheese Sauce 250 ml crème fraîche (2½ dl) 100 ml grated cheese (1 dl) salt and black pepper Bechamel Sauce (alternative) 1 liter milk (10 dl) 100 g butter 1 dl flour white pepper nutmeg salt to taste Assembly 250 g lasagne sheets 1 handful grated cheese for topping Instructions Finely chop the onion and sauté in oil until translucent. Rinse the lentils and add to the pan along with crushed tomatoes and water. Preheat oven to 225°C (440°F). Grate the carrots and add along with bouillon cube and tomato paste. Simmer for about 10 minutes covered on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Press garlic cloves into the sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and preferred herbs. Warm the crème fraîche in a separate pan, stir in grated cheese until melted (don’t boil). Season with salt and pepper. Grease a baking dish. Layer the ingredients: start with lentil sauce, then lasagne sheets, then cheese sauce. Repeat layers, ending with cheese sauce topped with extra grated cheese. Bake for 20 minutes until golden on top. Watch carefully to prevent burning. Serve with a fresh salad. Notes Bechamel sauce: Warm the milk. Melt butter in a separate pan, whisk in flour. Gradually add warm milk while whisking. Bring to a boil, simmer 1 minute. Season with white pepper, nutmeg, and salt.
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