Lasagna is a classic comfort food, and this vegan version is a healthier twist on the traditional Italian dish. This vegan recipe uses cashews to create a rich, creamy, and cheesy sauce that is both delicious and nutritious. This recipe is perfect for those following a vegan diet, or anyone looking for a healthy and delicious meal.
Ingredients:
For the Cashew Cheese:
- 150g raw cashews, soaked in water overnight
- Nutritional yeast (20g)
- Lemon juice (30mL)
- garlic clove, minced
- Sea salt (2.5g)
- Fresh basil leaves (15g)
- Water (120mL)
For the Lasagna:
- 12 lasagna noodles
- Olive oil (15mL)
- Onion
- Garlic cloves
- Red bell pepper
- Zucchini diced
- Baby spinach (60g)
- Crushed tomatoes (400g)
- Tomato paste (15mL)
- Dried oregano (2.5g)
- Dried basil (2.5g)
- Sea salt (1.25g)
- Freshly ground black pepper (1.25g)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- To make the cashew cheese, drain and rinse the soaked cashews. In a blender, combine the soaked cashews, water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and fresh basil leaves. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- In a large pan, sauté the onion and garlic until they become translucent. Add the diced zucchini, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper to the pan and cook for a few minutes until they start to soften. Add the baby spinach and cook until it wilts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of tomato sauce on the bottom. Place three cooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce. Add a layer of the vegetable mixture, followed by a layer of the cashew cheese. Repeat these layers until all of the ingredients are used up, ending with a layer of cashew cheese on top.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cashew cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let the lasagna cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious Vegan Lasagna with Basil Cashew cheese!
HEALTH BENEFITS OF VEGAN LASAGNA:
- Lentils, tofu, and cashews contribute to its high protein content, making it suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
- Creamy and savory, cashew cheese may satisfy your cheese cravings without exposing you to the health risks associated with dairy products.
- Cashew cheese gets a healthy dose of vitamin K and iron from the addition of fresh basil, which also offers a burst of bright, clean taste.
- In addition to being low in total fat and cholesterol, this meal is also low in saturated fat, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases.
This recipe is easy to make and is sure to impress even the most skeptical of non-vegan eaters. Try it out for your next dinner party or family gathering and watch everyone dig in!