Summer Vegetable Lasagna With Zucchini, Squash, Eggplant, and Tomato Recipe

Name: Summer Vegetable Lasagna With Zucchini, Squash, Eggplant, and Tomato Recipe
Total time: 105 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: About 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided; 3/4 pound zucchini (about 2 medium), ends trimmed, thinly sliced crosswise between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick; Kosher salt; 3/4 pound summer squash (about 2 medium), ends trimmed, thinly sliced crosswise between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick; 3/4 pound Japanese eggplant (about 2), ends trimmed, thinly sliced crosswise between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick; 15 no-boil lasagna noodles (1 box); 3 tablespoons butter; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 quart whole milk; 2 ounces freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese; 1 quart homemade or store-bought crushed tomatoes; 3/4 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into rough chunks; Handful of basil leaves

A lasagna packed with layers of summery flavor. J. Kenji López-Alt

Why It Works

Sautéing the vegetables drives out excess moisture and adds flavor.
Soaking no-cook lasagna noodles in water before layering improves texture.
Using a minimal amount of cheese in between layers keeps the vegetable flavor at the forefront.

With a pile of eggplant, summer squash, zucchini, tomatoes, and basil in my vegetable bowl, I decided to pack them all together into a lasagna. Why I felt like making lasagna during the summer, with days reaching nearly 100°F, I can't tell you, but when that lasagna itch strikes, you've just got to scratch it.

A Summer Vegetable Lasagna That's Light (but Not Too Light)

Active: 60 mins

Total: 105 mins

Serves: 6 to 8 servings

Rate & Comment

About 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3/4 pound zucchini (about 2 medium), ends trimmed, thinly sliced crosswise between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick
Kosher salt
3/4 pound summer squash (about 2 medium), ends trimmed, thinly sliced crosswise between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick
3/4 pound Japanese eggplant (about 2), ends trimmed, thinly sliced crosswise between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick
15 no-boil lasagna noodles (1 box)
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 quart whole milk
2 ounces freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 quart homemade or store-bought crushed tomatoes
3/4 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into rough chunks
Handful of basil leaves

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over high heat until shimmering. Working in batches and being sure not to crowd the pan, add zucchini, season with salt, and cook, turning, until just tender and browned in spots, about 4 minutes per batch. Add more oil as needed to prevent pan from drying out, and adjust heat as needed throughout to maintain a very hot, but not heavily smoking, pan. Transfer each batch to a baking sheet and spread in an even layer to cool, then transfer cooled slices to a second baking sheet or plate. Repeat with remaining zucchini, squash, and eggplant until all vegetables are lightly browned.
Place lasagna noodles in a 9- by 13-inch casserole dish and cover with hot water. Let noodles soak while you prepare the white sauce, agitating them every few minutes to prevent sticking, about 20 minutes total.
Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add flour and increase heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring butter and flour with a whisk until pale golden blond, about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in milk. Continue to cook, whisking frequently, until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Remove from heat and add Parmigiano-Reggiano. Whisk until smooth. Season to taste with salt. Set aside.
Season crushed tomatoes to taste with salt.
Preheat oven to 375°F and adjust rack to center position. Transfer noodles to a clean kitchen towel or layer with paper towels to dry them. Dry the casserole dish carefully and brush with olive oil. Spread a thin layer of crushed tomatoes on the bottom of the baking dish. Layer with 3 lasagna noodles. Top with 1/4 of eggplant, zucchini, and squash, 1/5 of crushed tomatoes, and 1/5 of white sauce. Repeat layers three more times. Place the final lasagna noodles on top and spread with remaining crushed tomatoes and white sauce. Scatter mozzarella evenly over surface and add basil leaves. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil and place in oven. Bake for 30 minutes, uncover, and continue baking until lightly browned on top. Remove from oven, let rest 10 minutes, slice, and serve.

Special equipment

9- by 13-inch baking dish, baking sheet

This Recipe Appears In

A Summer Vegetable Lasagna That's Light (but Not Too Light)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
568	Calories
38g	Fat
35g	Carbs
25g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories	568
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 38g	49%
Saturated Fat 16g	78%
Cholesterol 84mg	28%
Sodium 1220mg	53%
Total Carbohydrate 35g	13%
Dietary Fiber 5g	19%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 25g
Vitamin C 21mg	107%
Calcium 546mg	42%
Iron 3mg	18%
Potassium 950mg	20%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Summer Vegetable Lasagna With Zucchini, Squash, Eggplant, and Tomato Recipe

Why It Works

Special equipment

This Recipe Appears In

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