Ingredients
Method
Preparation
- Finely chop the onions, garlic, chili peppers, butternut squash, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Cooking the Ragu
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; cook for 3–4 minutes until soft.
- Add chili peppers, butternut squash, and mushrooms. Cook, stirring, until vegetables are translucent and starting to soften (6–8 minutes). Season with salt, black pepper, and oregano.
- Add chopped tomatoes, 1 cup tomato puree, and 2 cups vegetable stock to the pan. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat. Let simmer for 12–15 minutes until the sauce thickens and concentrates. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Making the Béchamel
- In a separate saucepan, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Stir in 1 tbsp flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in 3 cups milk a little at a time to avoid lumps. Cook, whisking, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon and thickens (5–7 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in grated cheddar (reserve some for the top). Season with salt and a little black pepper.
Preparing Lasagna Sheets
- While sauces finish, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add lasagna sheets and cook for 6–8 minutes (follow package for exact timing) until pliable but not falling apart. Drain and lay sheets flat on a lightly oiled tray.
Assembling the Lasagna
- Lightly oil or spray a large ovenproof dish. Spread a thin layer of ragu across the bottom. Pour a layer of béchamel over the ragu.
- Lay lasagna sheets over sauces. Repeat layers (ragu → béchamel → pasta) until ingredients are used, finishing with béchamel and a generous sprinkle of reserved cheddar on top.
Baking
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes at 180°C (350°F). For a golden top, switch to grill/broil for 2–3 minutes—watch carefully.
Serving
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10–15 minutes for cleaner slices.
Notes
Serve with peppery arugula salad, lemon vinaigrette, and crusty bread. For a lighter meal, serve smaller portions alongside roasted seasonal vegetables.
