Vegetarian Lasagna

You don't have to be vegetarian to savour this dish.

• 1 cup ricotta cheese (270g)
• 1 package Instant Lasagna Noodles (250g)
• 1 cup cooked spinach (125g)
• 2 Tbsp plain flour
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 3 cup skim milk (750ml)
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated (120g)
• 2 Tbsp parmesan cheese (20g)
• 1 Tbsp reduced-fat margarine
• 3 cup Vegetarian Italian Sauce recipe

1. Have Vegetarian Italian Sauce and spinach pre-prepared. (1 cup cooked spinach is about 2 bunches fresh or 1 packet of frozen, thawed and drained.)
2. Use a knife to spread ricotta cheese evenly over lasagna noodles.
3. Prepare White Sauce.
   Melt margarine in a heavy based saucepan. Stir in flour, nutmeg and black pepper to form a smooth paste. Slowly add milk while cooking over low heat. Stir and cook until it just comes to the boil. Remove from heat.
4. Pour a little of the white sauce into the bottom of a large oblong baking dish. Arrange 1/3 of the lasagna (spread with ricotta cheese) on the bottom covering the whole area as well as possible. Top with 1 cup of Vegetarian Italian Sauce, then 1/3 cup cheese. Cover with white sauce. Place another layer of noodles, and 1 cup of Italian Sauce on top. Spread with all the spinach and a further 1/3 cup of cheese. Cover with white sauce.
5. Top with remaining lasagna, Italian Sauce and white sauce. Make sure all lasagna is covered with white sauce. Gently push down any areas which are not. Sprinkle remaining cheese and all parmesan cheese on top. Place in moderate oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until tender and liquid is absorbed.

Microwave Directions:

• Preparaton of Vegetarian Italian Sauce and the white sauce may be done in the microwave to save time.
• Melt margarine in a microwave dish, add flour and seasonings and stir in milk. Cook on HIGH for 5 minutes, stopping to stir occasionally.
• This lasagne dish is too large to be successfully cooked in the microwave. Cook as above in a conventional oven.

Spinach may be omitted and spinach flavoured lasagna used instead.

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Reproduced with permission from CalorieKing.com.au. All material copyright CalorieKing.com.au