The Many Layers of Lasagna
You know I am all about taking a traditional dish and putting my own spin on it right? Well, when I decided I wanted to make my own version of a lasagna dish I wasn’t really sure where to start. Lasagnas can be pretty complex with multiple steps and ingredients. Don’t get me wrong the reward is always worth the work, who doesn’t love a homemade lasagna. But I wanted to create a plant-based version that was super simple while still giving you all the baked pasta goodness you’ve come to love. To achieve this, I went with two different fillings:
Cannellini Beans
For the first sauce I wanted to include cannellini beans. These white beans are sometimes referred to as white kidney beans and are super popular in Italian cuisine. They are a great addition to any recipe as they soak up spices and flavors of the dish. I really like using them in my vegan and plant-based recipes because they also make a great meat substitute. Cannellini beans are bursting with protein, iron, vitamins, and a long list of minerals:
phosphorous copper calcium potassium molybdenum manganese
I always have a package from Bob’s Red Mill in my pantry because they are such an easy addition to any recipe and quick way to make sure I’m getting that extra kick of nutrition in my diet.
Cheesy Bechamel
The bechamel in this dish is a vegan version made with vegan butter, all-purpose flour, almond milk, nutritional yeast, vegan cheese and seasoning. The word might sound fancy but a bechamel is a super basic base for most sauces and in this case a white cheese sauce. I wanted to use this for the other layer in the lasagna to give you that creamy, gooey, cheesy flavor. Again, I used Bob’s Red Mill Nutritional Yeast for that yummy umami taste and not to mention the mega punch of protein. This bechamel is deliciously simple and could actually be used for lots of other pasta sauces too, so feel free to experiment with the seasoning and mix up the flavors. For more pasta recipes be sure to check out:
The Best Garlic + Onion White Wine Pasta Sauce Vegan Creamy Garlicky Pasta Pasta and “Meatballs” with Marinara
When you are craving a home cooked comfort in a casserole dish look no further than this creamy pesto tomato lasagna. It is high in protein, easy to make, and even easier to have more than one piece. Check out the recipe below and don’t forget to let me know what you think over at @foodbymaria! Tag #foodbymaria and #fearnotfoodisyourfriend so I can see all your beautiful recreations.
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill
