Spinach and Ricotta Veggie Lasagna

It's that time of year again when the temperatures drop, the evenings get darker, and there's nothing quite as appealing as curling up indoors with a hearty, comforting meal. Winter is definitely comfort food season in our house, and a good vegetable lasagna is always high on my list of favourites.

This delicious recipe from LeaderBrand is particularly tempting, with layers of vegetables combined with a delish spinach and ricotta mixture.

 If you're looking for some winter dinner inspiration, this one is well worth adding to your menu!

 

LeaderBrands Spinach and Ricotta Veggie Lasagna

 

Prep Time: 30mins | Cook Time: 40mins | Servings: 6 people

 

Ingredients

 

For the vegetable filling:

180g carrot diced (approx 2 large carrots)

180g celery diced (approx 2 celery sticks)

300g mushrooms

4 cloves garlic

1 onion

1 tsp Italian herbs

2 x tins 400g crushed tomatoes

 

For the spinach and ricotta filling:

2 x 120g bags LeaderBrand Baby Spinach

15g butter

500g ricotta cheese

1 egg

Pinch of nutmeg

50g Parmesan cheese

¼ cup fresh basil leaves chopped

Salt & pepper

12 no cook lasagna sheets

100g mozzarella cheese

100g tasty cheese

 

Directions

To make the vegetable filling:

Slice the mushrooms, dice the onions, garlic, and celery, and mince the garlic.

Heat a large pot with oil add the mushrooms and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the carrots, celery, onions, and garlic into the pot. Cook for 4 -5 minutes stirring often Add the Italian herbs and tins of tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook the mixture for a further 5-7 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.

 

To make the spinach and ricotta filling:

Melt the butter in a large frying Pan add the LeaderBrand Spinach, stir and cover with a lid for 1 minute to wilt the spinach.

Remove from the heat. When the spinach has cooled chop the spinach.

In a large bowl add the chopped spinach, ricotta cheese, chopped basil leaves, nut meg, parmesan cheese and egg. Mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

 

To build the lasagna.

In a bowl mix the mozzarella cheese and tasty cheese - Set aside.

In a 40 x 25cm oven proof rectangle dish place 3 lasagne sheets onto the bottom of the dish. This will prevent the filling from falling out when you are serving. Spoon ⅓ of the tomato vegetable mixture into the bottom of the casserole dish.

 Add ⅓ of the ricotta and spinach mixture on top and spread out evenly. Sprinkle over ⅓ of the cheese mixture. Place 3 more lasagna sheets on top and add the veggie tomato sauce & ricotta and spinach mixture on top. Repeat this step one more time to create 3 layers finishing with the ricotta and spinach on top & top with the remaining cheese on top.

Place in the oven to bake at 180°C for 40 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Remove from the oven and set aside for 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with extra Parmesan cheese if you wish and a crispy LeaderBrand Rocket salad.

Visit LeaderBrand on Instagram here