Simple, Delicious, Nutritious Plant-Based Lasagna
The joy of mindful meals, creativity and helping wildlife: celebrating the remarkable rescue and rehabilitation of a Barn Owl
Hello and Welcome to Wildlands! I am really glad you are here!
My job is to help inspire, uplift and motivate you, and remind you that you have what is needed to repair and regenerate self. Self-care, self-love and enjoying one’s own company is the best medicine for dis-ease.
I’m sharing a simple, flexible, plant-based lasagna recipe- with filling options. The kitchen is a nurturing space. Increase peace and well-being during mindful prep and dining.
Health is wealth.
I’ve learned how satisfying plant-based food is- not only is it nourishing, it is fun to create meals that may surprise people! Most people have not prepared plant-based food so they do not understand it. Homemade meals can be enjoyed alone or with family and friends. Plant-based food is best when prepared by self, in my opinion. It is a time to connect with Something Greater. It’s a way of giving thanks. And, it’s a testimonial to life, a celebration of your temple-- your body-mind-spirit.
Gratefully, I have found harmony with my meals. People who are secure within themselves do not need much and are comfortable being alone. Perhaps you are an empathic being and have learned how to deal with emotional and physical pain, whether it is yours or others. The one thing I did consistently was maintain a plant-based diet, no matter what life has thrown my way. I’m sharing my journey of healing with nature and how to reduce harm.
Connect with what is nourishing to you. Nature, animals, art, writing, healthy food, loved ones, alone time and advocacy are my favorite ways to be with Something Greater.
Imagination expands our horizons and helps us blaze new trails. Imagination followed by action is one of the secrets to prosperity.
Imagine growing your own vegetables, herbs and medicines in your own home and land. After managing your grow with compassion and empathy, you harvest the bounty that both nature and you created together.
The Golden Rule is treat others as you would like to be treated. Most spiritual and religious teachings include ethics. Discomfort starts within and you can heal disease.
The benefits of a plant-based diet extend far beyond personal health, encompassing environmental sustainability, economic advantages, and ethical considerations. The multifaceted value of plant-based eating challenges misconceptions and promotes a healthier, more sustainable, and ethical world.
By adopting plant-based diets, individuals can make a significant impact on your health, the planet, and society, demonstrating the power of dietary choices in shaping a better future. Food, soil and body are interconnected. What’s good for the heart is good for the brain and gut.
Plant-Based Lasagna
Good recipes are flexible and include fresh, local, seasonal foods. This meal is high in protein, vitamins, and minerals. It’s so delicious, you don’t even need to tell anyone that it is plant-based.
There are a lot of oven-ready/ no-boil lasagna noodles that meet a variety of dietary requirements. High protein noodles made with lentils, may be available near you. A few other examples include vegan and gluten-free options: Dellalo’s Whole Wheat; Bionaturae and Jovial Gluten-Free (Brown Rice); and Gafell Soy Noodles. Shop at your local market for availability and preference and do what works for you. Try something new— you or someone you love may be pleasantly surprised.
Low sodium foods are best for high blood pressure, heart health and circulation. Too much salt can dehydrate the body, cause inflammation and pain, especially with injuries and health issues. Many meals are over-salted. Packaged food, including sauces, may contain high sodium, so read the labels carefully.
Ingredients:
1 box of oven-ready lasagna noodles (no boil noodles). Depending on the size of your baking dish, whether it is a 9” x 9” or a 9” x 13” pan, you’ll need between 9-12 lasagna noodles.
8 oz. Local and/ or organic baby bella mushrooms, cleaned and chopped.
3 cups spinach, roughly chopped (or a bag of 6 oz. frozen spinach).
(1- 2) 25 oz. jars of low sodium pasta or marinara sauce.
½ cup nutritional yeast.
1 tsp. of dried basil (or fresh basil).
1 tsp. of oregano.
½ tsp. salt (or to taste).
Notes:
Optional ingredients and lasagna “fillings”
Lentil sauce: 1 cup of dried red lentils, rinsed and drained. In a pot, add lentils and 3 cups of water. Cook in a pot on medium, boil in water and simmer for about 20 minutes, add water, if needed. Strain cooked lentils and add to sauce.
Simple vegan cheesy ricotta: in a bowl: organic firm or extra firm tofu, drained and patted dry. Mix crumbled tofu with ½ cup of nutritional yeast, with basil, oregano, sea salt and black pepper to taste.
Veggie lasagna: these foods work well in lasagna: zucchini, butternut squash; 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced or pressed; 1 medium onion for 1 cup; 2 large or 3 medium sized carrots, chopped. Red, yellow, and/ or green peppers, chopped and placed on top to bake. Add your favorites!
Vegan Cheese options: Miyoko’s plant-based cheeses are delicious. There are many other companies with wonderful plant-based cheese: mozzarella, ricotta, feta, and Parmesan. You can also make cashew cheese with ½ cup of soaked raw cashews (drained), 1 ¼ cups of water, ¼ tsp. salt, 1 T. lemon juice, 1 T. apple cider vinegar in a blender or food processor. Add nutritional yeast to cashew cheese if you are not using the vegan cheesy ricotta.
Assemble the lasagna: Add about 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of baking dish. Spread evenly. Depending on size of pan, layer 3-5 noodles (uncooked). Snap off the layers of noodles or layer them.
Spread ½ of the filling on top of noodles. (Options/ fillings: veggies, mushrooms, vegan cheesy ricotta, and/ or other vegan cheeses.) Top with half of the spinach. Add about 1 cup of sauce over spinach. Layer the noodles.
Spread half of the filling on top of the noodles. Top with half of the spinach. Add about 1 cup of the marinara sauce over the spinach, then add more lasagna noodles on top. Then pour the rest of the sauce over the top, evenly.
Note: The marinara and the lentil marinara sauce will help alleviate noodles sticking to casserole dish. If you prefer, add extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and spread evenly on the bottom of the baking dish.
Baking Instructions:
Preheat the oven and bake the lasagna at 350 F/ 180 C. for 40-45 minutes. Higher elevations require a longer cooking time.
Baked covered. Wrap parchment paper or aluminum foil over the top, make sure it’s taut, not touching the top of the lasagna.
Remove cover and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until lasagna is steaming or bubbling at the corners.
Remove pan from oven and let cool for about 15 minutes.
Before serving:
Sprinkle on nutritional yeast, fresh basil, or Vegan Parmesan, feta, etc. Try some slices of avocado on top.
Slice, serve and enjoy.
Pair with a salad or a lentil salad.
Enjoy and let me know how much you loved treating yourself to compassionate choices, mindful prep, dining alone and sharing the recipe with those you love.
The Remarkable Comeback Story of Kara, the Barn Owl
My partner, Shawn and I volunteered for a few hours while I was in town at Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation. We met wonderful people and animals, including Kara, a Barn Owl. Thanks to dedicated, compassionate people she went from near death to thriving! She now has a new home where she will be an ambassador for her species. Good luck, Kara, it was great meeting you- May you prosper! And, thank you, Annette, Katie and team, for helping wildlife. Kara the Barn Owl is in the news.
About Robin
Flora, fauna, food, farming and freedom with conservation- restoration are my passions. Simplicity, flexibility and exploring are essential with a nomadic, minimalist lifestyle. I travel with two small suitcases and live in three ecosystems. Wherever I go, I enjoy supporting small businesses, co-ops and farmers markets. I’ve made some great friends by purchasing local/ seasonal foods from people who care.
Shop local is the best way to vote with your dollars and support communities. In addition, a plant-based ethic supports many good, compassionate choices to help support your mind-body-spirit.
It’s Divine to dine with peace of mind! Wildlands shares how to have truly nourishing grazing alternatives, sustainable living and advocacy in daily lives.
Your support helps community projects: caring for wildlife too injured to return to the wild; art events; organic food and pollinator gardens; increase access to healthy foods in communities, supporting farmers, farmers markets and co-ops.
Wildlands covers a lot of ground, including microbiomes and other topics, packed with experience and backed with research: Here’s the Poop; Hunger and Waste; Discover Health and Prosperity that Supports Biodiversity; Want Health? Life-Changing Information that Prevents Disease; and Let It Be Wild and Free, and more.
Tell me, dear friends,
What makes you feel calm, connected and peaceful?
Let me know how you liked the lasagna!
May your minds and hearts receive peace and prosperity. Generosity heals and sustains us for good. Healthy people create a world of well-being.
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Cheers and Happy Holidays, from Robin of Wildlands!
An easy recipe for a delicious meal!
Looking forward to feasting on this healthy and delicious dish!