Budget Lasagna Made From Scratch
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- Ingredients List
Veggie Ragu:
2 onions, finely diced
2 zucchini, grated
2 carrots, grated
1 cauliflower (Can be substituted with mushroom or mince or any hearty veggies), chopped
2 tins peeled tomatoes
1 head of garlic, minced
Lasagna Sheets:
300g plain flour
150g water
Salt
Béchamel Sauce
100g milk
50-70g flour (for béchamel)
Butter or neutral oil
200g cheese
Welcome back to Sam's Home Kitchen! Today, we're diving into a hearty, flavour-packed lasagna that's not just delicious but also easy on the wallet. This ultimate veggie lasagna is perfect for family dinners or meal prepping for the week. We’ll be using fresh, affordable ingredients and making everything from scratch, including our lasagna sheets and béchamel sauce. Let’s get started!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Lasagna is a classic comfort food, and this veggie version is no exception. We're packing it full of fresh vegetables, making it not only tasty but also nutritious. Plus, by using cost-effective ingredients like "ugly" cauliflower and making our own pasta, we're keeping it budget-friendly without compromising on flavour. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this recipe is easy to follow and guarantees delicious results every time.
The Perfect Veggie Mix
We start by finely dicing onions and cooking them low and slow in a bit of olive oil to bring out their natural sweetness. Then, we grate zucchini and carrots, keeping the skins on for added nutrients. Adding these to our softened onions creates a delicious base for our lasagna. The star of our veggie mix is cauliflower, which we chop and add to bulk up the dish, making it filling and satisfying.
Homemade Lasagna Sheets
Making lasagna sheets from scratch is simpler than you might think. We use plain flour, water, and a pinch of salt to create a dough, which we then roll out using a pasta machine. This homemade touch adds a unique texture and flavour to our lasagna that you can't get from store-bought pasta.
Creamy Béchamel Sauce
No lasagna is complete without a rich, creamy béchamel sauce. We toast some flour in oil, then gradually whisk in milk to create a smooth, thick sauce. Seasoned with just a pinch of salt, this sauce adds a wonderful creaminess that balances the acidity of the tomatoes and the savouriness of the veggies.
Layering and Baking
Layering is key to a good lasagna. We start with a generous layer of our vegetable ragu, followed by a sheet of lasagna, then béchamel sauce, and a sprinkle of cheese. We repeat these layers, finishing with a good layer of cheese on top for that classic golden crust. Baking the lasagna covered ensures even cooking and a moist, tender texture. After an hour, we uncover it to let the top brown to perfection.
Let It Rest
Patience is crucial. Letting the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes after baking helps it set, making it easier to cut and serve. This step is vital to maintaining those beautiful layers we worked so hard to create.
Cost Breakdown
This lasagna is not just delicious but also incredibly economical. Here's a quick cost breakdown:
350g flour @ $1.1/kg = $0.385
100g milk @ $1.5/L = $0.15
1 cauliflower = $1.5
2 carrots = $0.2
2 onions = $0.4
2 zucchini = $0.8
1 head of garlic = $0.5
2 tins of tomato = $1.8
200g cheese = $2
Total cost: $7.735, yielding 8 generous portions.
Thank you for joining me on this culinary adventure! Our ultimate veggie lasagna is a testament to the fact that you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy a delicious, homemade meal. Try it out, let me know how it goes in the comments, and don't forget to subscribe for more budget-friendly, mouth-watering recipes from Sam's Home Kitchen. Happy cooking!
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My adult kid now lives with me and is a vegetarian. I will make it for them soon.
I've been meaning to add more vegetarian food to my diet, thanks for the recipe!
I’m glad you liked the video! Veggies are great from the cost perspective but more importantly so, health.
Good to see your teaching others only chop ugly spots cauliflower rest is good 👍 subbed straight away seeing your video list & watching not wasting milk video you deserve so many subs hope to see your channel grow lasagna looks good 😄
Absolutely. Nothing sexy but just doing what I think is right. Thank you for appreciating what I do:)
Thank you so much for recipes. I’m trying to incorporate more veggies & less meat. I would love to ask if you recommend or even show more vegetables dishes. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us.
Oh yeah! I feel you totally! I have lots of veggie based recipes on my channel. And can promise you there are more to come.
Great channel. Love the no waste approach. Awesome handmade sheets. I do not have a pasta machine so can't try it but the taste must be awesome. I always add a small amount of red lentils and a tiny drop of vinegar in my veggie sauce to up the protein. If I have an apple or a fruit that is about to go off I chop that and add to the sauce too.The bechamel I flavour with grated nutmeg + salt + pepper as my mum always did that.
Thank you so much! Great suggestion on red lentils. I always forget about it.
You can roll the dough out thin without a pasta machine...
Oh yes totally! To achieve great consistency with less effort, I’d still recommend tools like pasta machines any day though.
Handsome Sam.
Maxyyyyyyy