Engine 2 Raise the Roof Sweet Potato Vegetarian Lasagna
If youve heard about the Engine 2 Diet and want to try an Engine 2 approved recipe, heres a sample recipe to try. This is Rip Esselstyns Raise the Roof sweet potato vegetarian lasagna. Its so good, he says, that he served it at his own wedding! Its also low in fat and cholesterol-free. Recipe courtesy of The Engine 2 Diet, by Rip Esselstyn. When I made this recipe, I only needed one box of lasagne noodles because the veggie mixture was so plentiful that I couldnt fit in another layer. The flavor is great, and I think you could use rotini noodles and bake it in a casserole dish for an easier preparation. (Leave the sweet potatoes in chunks if you do that.) Notice that the recipe doesnt call for any oil. If you use a non-stick wok, just add a little water to the bottom and it works just fine.
If youve heard about the Engine 2 Diet and want to try an Engine 2 approved recipe, heres a sample recipe to try. This is Rip Esselstyns Raise the Roof sweet potato vegetarian lasagna. Its so good, he says, that he served it at his own wedding! Its also low in fat and cholesterol-free. Recipe courtesy of The Engine 2 Diet, by Rip Esselstyn. When I made this recipe, I only needed one box of lasagne noodles because the veggie mixture was so plentiful that I couldnt fit in another layer. The flavor is great, and I think you could use rotini noodles and bake it in a casserole dish for an easier preparation. (Leave the sweet potatoes in chunks if you do that.) Notice that the recipe doesnt call for any oil. If you use a non-stick wok, just add a little water to the bottom and it works just fine.
- 1 onion chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 garlic clove chopped
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 2 carrots chopped
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- 1 package tofu
- 1 head broccoli chopped
- 2 red bell peppers seeded and chopped
- 1 can corn rinsed and drained
- 2 (25 ounce) jarsvegan pasta sauce
- 2 (14 ounce) boxeswhole grain lasagna noodles
- 16 ounces frozen spinach thawed and drained
- 2 sweet potatoes cooked and mashed
- 6 roma tomatoes sliced thin
- 1 cup raw cashews ground
- Carbohydrate 21.4639581490222 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 7.45833585014222 g
- Fiber 5.59018393964155 g
- Protein 8.9775389689 g
- Saturated Fat 1.34300735952778 g
- Serving Size 1 1 slices, 12 serving(s) (278g)
- Sodium 73.9875691175556 mg
- Sugar 15.8737742093807 g
- Trans Fat 0.770641391452445 g
- Calories 171 calories
Step-by-step
- Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
- Sauté the onion and garlic on high heat for 3 minutes in a wok or nonstick pan.
- Add the mushrooms and cook until the onions are limp and the mushrooms give up their liquid.
- Remove them to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Reserve the mushroom liquid in the pan.
- Sauté the broccoli and carrots for 5 minutes and add to the mushroom bowl.
- Sauté the peppers and corn until just beginning to soften. Add them to the vegetable bowl.
- Drain the tofu by wrapping in paper towels. Break it up directly in the towel and mix into the vegetable bowl.
- Add spices to the vegetable bowl and combine.
- To Assemble: Cover the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch casserole with a layer of sauce.
- Add a layer of noodles.
- Cover the noodles with sauce. This way the noodles cook in the oven, saving time and energy.
- Spread the vegetable mixture over the sauced noodles.
- Cover with a layer of noodles and another dressing of sauce.
- Add the spinach to the second layer of sauced noodles.
- Cover the spinach with the mashed sweet potatoes.
- Add another layer of sauce, the final layer of noodles, and a last topping of sauce.
- Cover the lasagna with thinly sliced roma tomatoes.
- Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil, sprinkle with the cashews, and return to the oven for 15 minutes.
- Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.
A Busy Mom's Take on Engine 2 Lasagna
Let me tell you, life as a working mom is a whirlwind. Between school pick-ups, soccer practice, and endless piles of laundry, finding time to cook a healthy, delicious meal feels like a Herculean task. But I’m committed to feeding my family nutritious food, and that’s where this Engine 2 Raise the Roof Sweet Potato Vegetarian Lasagna comes in. I first discovered this recipe while searching for healthier alternatives to traditional lasagna, and let me tell you, it's a game-changer.
What I love most about this recipe is its simplicity. The ingredient list isn’t overwhelming, and the preparation, while involving a few steps, is surprisingly manageable. Even on a busy weeknight, I can usually get this together in under an hour. Plus, the flavor is absolutely incredible. It’s rich and satisfying without being heavy, and the sweet potatoes add a lovely sweetness that perfectly balances the savory vegetables and spices. My kids even love it, which is a huge win in my book!
The Beauty of Make-Ahead
One of the best things about this lasagna is that you can do a lot of the prep work ahead of time. I often chop the vegetables and prepare the sweet potato mash on the weekend, storing them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This means that on a busy weeknight, all I have to do is assemble and bake the lasagna, making it a truly efficient meal.
Adapting to My Needs
I’ve adapted the recipe slightly over time to better suit my family’s preferences and my own busy schedule. Sometimes I use rotini noodles instead of lasagna sheets for a quicker assembly, and I’ve experimented with different types of vegetables. Zucchini or butternut squash would be delicious additions, and I sometimes add a layer of sautéed spinach underneath the sweet potato for an extra boost of nutrients. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility.
Beyond the Plate: A Family Tradition
This lasagna has become more than just a meal; it’s a family tradition. It’s a dish that we all look forward to, and it’s a comforting reminder that even amidst the chaos of everyday life, we can still sit down together and enjoy a healthy, delicious meal that everyone loves. The aroma alone fills our home with a warm, inviting feeling, and it sets the perfect tone for a family dinner. And that, to me, is priceless. This is a recipe I highly recommend, especially to busy moms who want to nourish their families with delicious, healthy food without spending hours in the kitchen.
Serving Suggestions
This lasagna is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with a simple side salad or some crusty bread. A glass of chilled red wine isn't a bad companion either!
