Lasagne, the ultimate comfort food, is a dish cherished by many for its layers of pasta, rich tomato sauce, creamy béchamel, and melted cheese. But what if you're following a vegan diet? Fear not! With a few simple tweaks and substitutions, you can enjoy all the hearty goodness of lasagne without any animal products. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to make a mouthwatering vegan lasagne that's sure to satisfy even the most discerning of palates.

Understanding the Basics

Before we dive into the recipe, let's break down the key components of traditional lasagne and explore how we can give them a vegan twist:

1. Pasta: Look for lasagne sheets that are egg-free, as traditional pasta typically contains eggs. Many supermarkets stock vegan-friendly pasta sheets made from durum wheat semolina or alternative flours like whole wheat or rice flour.

2. Tomato Sauce: A classic tomato sauce forms the base of any good lasagne. Simply sauté onions, garlic, and herbs in olive oil before adding canned chopped tomatoes and simmering until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Béchamel Sauce: Traditionally made with butter, flour, and milk, béchamel sauce provides a creamy layer in lasagne. To make it vegan, simply swap out the dairy milk for a plant-based alternative like soy, almond, or oat milk, and use vegan butter or olive oil.

4. Cheese: No lasagne would be complete without a generous sprinkling of cheese on top. Fortunately, there are plenty of vegan cheese options available, ranging from melty mozzarella to tangy parmesan-style varieties.

Now that we've covered the basics, let's get cooking!

Recipe: Vegan Lasagne

Ingredients:

• 12 lasagne sheets
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 800g canned chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 500ml plant-based milk (such as soy, almond, or oat)
• 50g vegan butter or olive oil
• 50g plain flour
• 200g vegan cheese, grated (mozzarella-style works well)
• Fresh basil leaves, to garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Tomato Sauce: In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until softened. Add the canned chopped tomatoes, dried oregano, and dried basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.

2. Make the Béchamel Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt the vegan butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to form a roux. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns golden brown. Gradually whisk in the plant-based milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Continue to cook the sauce until thickened, then remove from heat and set aside.

3. Assemble the Lasagne: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange a layer of lasagne sheets on top, followed by a layer of tomato sauce and a drizzle of béchamel sauce. Repeat the layers until all the ingredients are used up, finishing with a layer of béchamel sauce on top.

4. Bake the Lasagne: Sprinkle the grated vegan cheese evenly over the top of the lasagne. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

5. Serve and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the lasagne from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired, and serve hot. Enjoy the deliciousness of your homemade vegan lasagne!

Tips for Success:

• Be sure to use oven-ready lasagne sheets, as these don't require pre-cooking and will soften during baking.
• Feel free to customize your lasagne with additional vegetables, such as sliced mushrooms, spinach, or roasted peppers.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer-term storage. Simply reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

Vegan lasagne is a hearty and satisfying dish that's perfect for any occasion, whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply craving some comfort food. By following this simple recipe and making a few easy substitutions, you can enjoy all the deliciousness of lasagne while staying true to your vegan lifestyle. So go ahead, indulge in a slice (or two) of this mouthwatering dish—you won't be disappointed!

Whilst lasagne is on our most popular vegan ready meals alongside the best selling vegan shepherd's pie, we have a range of meals that cover all tastes so why not try us out today using the discount code ROOT25 for 25% OFF your first box.