Not to brag or anything, but this is totally happening (again), and it totally rules.
Origins of lasagna
Perhaps like many of you, we were under the impression that lasagna originated in Italy. Turns out, its origin history is more complicated! Some say the concept originated in ancient Greece where layered dough sheets (called laganon) were cut into strips and baked. Others claim it resembles a Roman dish recorded in a cookbook in the 1st century AD. And still others place its origin in England or Italy in the 14th century, where cookbooks describe the concept of layering cheese and pasta in a dish and baking it. (source) But it wasn’t until the 16th century that tomato-based versions were recorded that more closely resembles today’s lasagna. Those versions came from Italy. So to everyone who ever contributed to the invention of lasagna, we’re forever grateful!
How to make sweet potato lasagna
This lasagna is inspired by three things:
- My love for lasagna (forever and ever, amen)2) My successful recreations of it using both eggplant + spaghetti squash3) My never-ending love affair with sweet potatoes The filling is my go-to tofu ricotta. It’s creamy, lemony, herby, delicious, and a convincing dupe for the real thing. Trust me on this one – you need this in your life. And the ‘pasta noodles’ are thinly-sliced sweet potatoes, which add the perfect tender texture and sweet flavor contrast to the savory ‘ricotta.’ In other words, swoon. How is this recipe simple? I’m so glad you asked. It requires just 9 basic ingredients, simple methods, and about 1 hour from start to finish. While this recipe lacks a marinara sauce as in a traditional lasagna, I argue it doesn’t need it! However, if you’re a sauce-lover like me, I do include an optional (but highly recommended) basil pesto sauce that’s positively amazing (and still keeps the recipe within my 10-ingredient standard). It not only adds a burst of vibrant green color, but also a punch of herby-garlic flavor that finishes the dish perfectly (in my humble opinion). I think you guys are going to LOVE this lasagna! It’s: Savory-sweetComfortingSatisfyingVibrantProtein-packedSimpleFlavorful& Delicious I created this recipe with comfort food-loving folks in mind. Everyone loves a good hearty baked dish this time of year. Plus, it’ll satisfy hearty cravings with nearly 10 grams of protein per serving. If you give this recipe a try, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it (once you’ve tried it), and don’t forget to take a picture and tag it @minimalistbaker on Instagram! We’d love to see what you come up with. Cheers, friends!
