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Rainbow lasagna

A 4 layered lasagna made with carrots, tomatoes, beetroot, spinach, bell pepper, red onion and butternut squash. Eat the rainbow!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Roasting time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course: Main Course
Calories: 244
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Roasting tomatoes for the red layer
  • 12 tomatoes (halved)
  • 2 tsp oregano
  • 2-4 tbsp olive oil
  • 2-4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic (peeled)
  • 1 medium red onion (cut into thin wedges)
Roasting other vegetables
  • 2 medium carrots (cubed)
  • 4 cloves garlic (peeled)
  • 2 small onions (cut into thin wedges)
  • 1 small butternut squash (peeled and cubed)
  • 2 medium beetroot (peeled and cubed)
  • 1 small red onion (cut into thin wedges)
The purple layer
  • veggies from the roasting tray >> (beetroot, red onion)
  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
The orange layer
  • veggies from the roasting tray >> (carrots, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 onion)
  • 1-1½ inch ginger (minced)
The green layer
  • veggies from the roasting tray >> (butternut squash, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 onion)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • ½ cup fresh parsley
The red layer
  • the content of the 'red layer' baking tray
  • 1 roasted red bell pepper (store bought or homemade*)
In between the vegetable layers
  • 12 sheets lasagna (thin sheets preferably, regular or gluten free)
  • 2 cups grated (vegan) mozzarella cheese (optional, but highly recommended)(or do 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1 cup parmesan (either regular or vegan)
Garnishing
  • 1 handful freshly chopped herbs (basil, thyme, oregano, parsley or a combination)

Equipment

  • High speed blender or food processor
  • 9x12 baking dish
  • 2 large baking tray for roasting vegetables

Method
 

Roasting the vegetables
  1. Preheat the oven to 400F/200C roast the vegetables.
  2. Prepare 2 large baking trays to roast all of the vegetables.
    Use 1 tray for the 'red layer veggies' (tomatoes, red onion, garlic); line the halved tomatoes in the tray, sprinkle with oregano and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
    Use the other tray for all the other veggies. Create lines of vegetables to keep them all separated (see picture above). Before spreading them out on the baking tray, toss all the veggie cubes with 1-2 tbsp of olive oil (just enough to lightly coat them). Don’t over pack the tray; leave enough space between the cubes otherwise the veggies won’t roast (but steam instead). Roast them for 25-30 minutes.
  3. When the vegetables are roasted take them out of the oven and turn the oven down to 360F/180C.
Make the 4 vegetable purees starting with the purple layer:
  1. In a high speed blender or food processor add the roasted beetroot, red onion and thyme and blend it into a somewhat smooth consistency. Don't blend it too long (not too smooth; saucy with chunks, does that make sense?). Taste and add salt & pepper if needed. Set the beetroot puree aside until assembling the lasagna.
The orange layer:
  1. In a high speed blender or food processor add the roasted carrots, onion, garlic and ginger and blend it into a somewhat smooth consistency. Don't blend it too long (not too smooth; saucy with chunks is what you are looking for). Taste and add salt & pepper if needed. Set the carrot puree aside until assembling the lasagna.
The green layer:
  1. In a high speed blender or food processor add the roasted butternut squash, spinach, basil, garlic and parsley and blend it into a smooth consistency. If needed I add salt & pepper after tasting it. I set the green sauce aside until I assemble the lasagna.
The red layer:
  1. In a high speed blender or food processor add the roasted tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, garlic and oregano and blend it into a smooth consistency. Taste it and add salt & pepper if needed. Set the tomato sauce aside until assembling the lasagna.
Assemble the lasagna:
  1. Lightly grease the bottom of a 12x9 baking dish with some olive oil and spread out the purple layer. Optional, but highly recommended, add a thin layer of grated (vegan) cheese followed by a layer of lasagna sheets.
    I follow the same steps for the other layers; so after the purple layer I continued with the orange layer, followed by green and finally red. I finished with a layer of grated cheese and a sprinkle of oregano.
Baking the lasagna:
  1. Bake the rainbow lasagna in a preheated oven on the middle rack for 25-30 minutes.
    Place the lasagna on a cooling rack for 5-10 minutes before serving it so it can firm up at bit.
Garnishing:
  1. Just before putting the lasagna on the table, sprinkle some freshly chopped herbs (basil, thyme, oregano, parsley or a combination) on it.

Notes

*homemade stovetop roasted bell pepper
 
Nutritional information:
the information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.