CREAMY PUMPKIN LASAGNA - VEGAN

CREAMY PUMPKIN LASAGNA - VEGAN

By onegreenplanet.org - Renee McKenzie

SERVES 6-8

Pumpkin Bechamel:

113g/1/2 cup vegan butter

1 medium yellow onion, peeled and diced

1/2 teaspoon each dried rosemary and sage

60g/1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk

120ml/1/2 cup dry white wine

120ml/1/2 cup vegetable stock

3 cloves garlic, peeled and diced

165g/3/4 cup pureed pumpkin

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

1 tablespoon dry mustard powder

1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, or more to taste

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Roasted Pumpkin:

Half a pie pumpkin, gutted, peeled and sliced thin

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Pinch of chili flakes

Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Pine Nut Parmesan:

2 tablespoons pine nuts, lightly toasted

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Pumpkin Bechamel:

In a large skillet, heat the vegan butter over medium-low until melted. Add the onion, rosemary and sage and sauté until the onions are translucent.  Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for about a minute. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking until smooth.  Add the wine and vegetable stock and whisk until smooth. Add the garlic, pumpkin, nutritional yeast and seasonings and whisk until it is at a near boil. Set aside until ready to use.

For the Roasted Pumpkin:

Preheat oven to 400°F/200C.  Lay the thinly sliced pumpkin out on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season. Roast for about 15 minutes, until the pumpkin is cooked and is just starting to brown on top. Set aside until ready to use.

For the Pine Nut Parmesan:

Combine all ingredients in a powerful blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Set aside until ready to use.

To Assemble the Lasagna:

Preheat oven to 375°F/190C.  Pour 1/2 cup of the bechamel in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Top with noodles.  Pour another 1/2 cup of bechamel and top with roasted pumpkin, spinach and  bechamel. Add another layer of noodles, then the sauce, and then noodles.To finish, add sauce, roasted pumpkin, and sprinkle with the pine nut parmesan.  Bake, uncovered, for about 45 minutes. Take out from the oven and let it cool for 45 minutes.