Mary Berry, the doyenne of British baking and culinary arts, is revered not only for her sumptuous cakes and pastries but also for her ability to transform everyday meals into gastronomic delights. While many may associate lasagne with rich meat sauces, Mary has crafted a vegetable version that stands tall in its own right. Bursting with layers of fresh, vibrant vegetables and complemented by a creamy béchamel sauce, this lasagne is the epitome of comfort food with a healthful twist. Perfect for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike, Mary Berry’s Delectable Vegetable Lasagne is a testament to the magic that ensues when simplicity meets expertise. Dive into this guide, and let’s embark on a culinary journey that promises a symphony of flavors and textures, all wrapped up in layers of perfectly baked pasta.
How To Make Mary Berry’s Vegetable Lasagne Recipe Overview:
This vegetable lasagne is a delicious, hearty dish that serves 6 to 8 people. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or for entertaining friends. To make this dish you will need a preparation time of 10-15 minutes and cooking time is approximately 1 hour. It’s not at all overly time-consuming and the result is worth every minute.
Tools and Equipment:
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Aluminum foil
- Grater
Ingredients:
- Button mushrooms : 500g
- Chopped tomatoes tins 2 × 400g
- Onion : 1 large
- Garlic : 3 cloves
- Sugar : A pinch of
- Thyme : 2 tablespoons
- Baby spinach : 700g
- Balsamic vinegar : 3 teaspoons
- Lasagne sheets : 8–10
- Sun-dried tomato paste : 3 tablespoons
- Salt
- Black pepper
For the Cheese Sauce:
- Gruyère cheese : 300g
- Hot milk : 750ml
- Dijon mustard : 1.5 tablespoons
- Butter : 75g
- All-purpose flour : 75g
Preparation:
- Slice the mushrooms
- Chop the onion
- Mince the garlic cloves
- Use fresh thyme and chop the thyme nicely
- Use baby spinach trimmed
- Use freshly ground black pepper
- Grate your gruyère cheese
Instructions:
- Take your skillet and put it on the stove over medium heat. Now saute the chopped onion in the skillet until it turns translucent. Add the sliced mushrooms and garlic. Cook until the mushrooms have softened.
- Stir in the chopped tomatoes, fresh thyme, and balsamic vinegar. Also add sugar and sun-dried tomato paste. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- In another pan, quickly wilt the baby spinach. Drain any excess liquid and set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C .
- Now make the cheese sauce. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir in the flour to create a smooth paste. Then gradually add the hot milk, whisking continuously. Wait until the sauce thickens. Now add the Dijon mustard and Gruyère cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Take your baking dish, start layering your lasagne. Begin with a thin layer of the tomato-mushroom mixture, followed by lasagne sheets, a layer of spinach, and a drizzle of cheese sauce. Repeat until you’ve used all your ingredients. Finish with a generous layer of cheese sauce on top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the lasagne is golden brown and bubbling.
Also Try: Savor the Essence of Classic French Cuisine with Mary Berry’s Dauphinoise Potatoes Recipe
Nutritional Value:
Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on portion sizes.
Calories per serving: 450
Protein: 20g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fat: 27g
Fiber: 6g
FAQs:
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, Mary Berry’s Vegetable Lasagne is designed to be vegetarian-friendly. However, always ensure that any store-bought ingredients, like pasta sheets or cheese, are free from animal rennet or other non-vegetarian components.
Can I make the vegetable lasagne gluten-free?
Certainly! To make this dish gluten-free, you can use gluten-free lasagne sheets, which are widely available in most supermarkets. Additionally, ensure that all other ingredients, especially any pre-made sauces or seasonings, are gluten-free.
Can I freeze the vegetable lasagne for later?
Yes, Mary Berry’s Vegetable Lasagne freezes well. If you intend to freeze it, it’s recommended to prepare the lasagne up to the point before baking, then wrap it securely and store in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, you can bake it directly from frozen, allowing some additional cooking time.
Conclusion
There you have it, a delightful vegetable lasagne inspired by Mary Berry that’s sure to become a family favorite. With layers of flavor and that creamy cheese sauce, it’s a comforting dish you’ll want to make again and again. Enjoy!
Vegetable lasagne Mary Berry
Ingredients
- Button mushrooms : 500g
- Chopped tomatoes tins 2 × 400g
- Onion : 1 large
- Garlic : 3 cloves
- Sugar : A pinch of
- Thyme : 2 tablespoons
- Baby spinach : 700g
- Balsamic vinegar : 3 teaspoons
- Lasagne sheets : 8–10
- Sun-dried tomato paste : 3 tablespoons
- Salt
- Black pepper
For the Cheese Sauce:
- Gruyère cheese : 300g
- Hot milk : 750ml
- Dijon mustard : 1.5 tablespoons
- Butter : 75g
- All-purpose flour : 75g
Instructions
Preparation:
- Slice the mushrooms
- Chop the onion
- Mince the garlic cloves
- Use fresh thyme and chop the thyme nicely
- Use baby spinach trimmed
- Use freshly ground black pepper
- Grate your gruyère cheese
Cooking Process
- Take your skillet and put it on the stove over medium heat. Now saute the chopped onion in the skillet until it turns translucent. Add the sliced mushrooms and garlic. Cook until the mushrooms have softened.
- Stir in the chopped tomatoes, fresh thyme, and balsamic vinegar. Also add sugar and sun-dried tomato paste. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- In another pan, quickly wilt the baby spinach. Drain any excess liquid and set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C .
- Now make the cheese sauce. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir in the flour to create a smooth paste. Then gradually add the hot milk, whisking continuously. Wait until the sauce thickens. Now add the Dijon mustard and Gruyère cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Take your baking dish, start layering your lasagne. Begin with a thin layer of the tomato-mushroom mixture, followed by lasagne sheets, a layer of spinach, and a drizzle of cheese sauce. Repeat until you've used all your ingredients. Finish with a generous layer of cheese sauce on top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the lasagne is golden brown and bubbling.