Il Cucinologo
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Lasagne with Pumpkin Cream and Mushrooms

17/11/2023

Lasagne with pumpkin and mushroom cream are an excellent autumnal dish, yet delicious at any time of the year. This is a vegetarian variant of the classic lasagne alla bolognese.

Ingredients

  • 250 g fresh lasagne (or dry, if you prefer)
  • 700 g cleaned pumpkin
  • 300 g mushrooms (button or porcini)
  • 1 small onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 400 ml béchamel
  • 150 g grated Parmesan
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Nutmeg to taste
  • Fresh chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by cutting the pumpkin into cubes and roasting it in the oven at 180 °C for about 20-25 minutes, or until tender.

  2. Meanwhile, clean the mushrooms and slice them. Finely chop the onion and garlic and sauté them in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

  3. Add the mushrooms to the pan and cook until golden. Season with salt and pepper.

  4. Once cooked, blend the pumpkin (you can set aside some cubes for decoration) until you obtain a smooth cream; add a pinch of salt, pepper and nutmeg.

  5. Prepare the béchamel by bringing the milk almost to a boil in a saucepan and then, off the heat, adding butter and flour previously combined in another container, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Season with salt and add a pinch of nutmeg.

  6. Now assemble the lasagne. Grease the bottom of a baking dish with a little béchamel. Arrange the first layer of lasagne and on top a portion of pumpkin cream, one of mushrooms and one of béchamel. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan.

  7. Repeat the layers until the ingredients are used up, finishing with béchamel and Parmesan.

  8. Bake the lasagne in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 30-40 minutes or until the surface is golden and crisp.

  9. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving, garnished with the reserved pumpkin cubes and fresh chopped parsley, if desired.

Trivia

Although they are not a classic of Italian cuisine, pumpkin lasagne represent an interesting variation on the theme and an excellent way to enjoy seasonal vegetables in an original and tasty manner. Moreover, this dish can be prepared in advance and baked when needed, making kitchen organization easier.