Creamy Aubergine Lasagne Recipe: A Hearty Italian Classic

Crafting a delectable aubergine lasagne brings pure comfort to your kitchen adventures.

Layers of rich, velvety vegetables promise a mouthwatering experience for every pasta enthusiast.

Mediterranean flavors dance through each carefully assembled slice, creating magic beyond traditional recipes.

Creamy cheeses melt between tender aubergine slices, promising incredible depth and warmth.

Robust tomato sauce binds ingredients with passionate Italian inspiration.

Fragrant herbs whisper secrets of home-style cooking that feel both intimate and luxurious.

Savor every bite of this soul-warming dish that turns ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary celebration.

What Makes James Martin Aubergine Lasagne Special

• Create Layered Comfort: Dive into a rich, soul-warming dish that transforms simple ingredients into a stunning masterpiece of flavor and texture.
• Master Complex Cooking Techniques: Learn professional-grade cooking skills like perfectly frying aubergines, creating silky white sauce, and building beautiful layered lasagne.
• Customize for Every Palate: Easily adapt this recipe by switching cheeses, adding proteins, or making vegetarian variations to suit different dietary preferences and tastes.
• Impress Without Stress: Craft a restaurant-quality meal that looks intricate but requires straightforward cooking steps anyone can follow with basic kitchen skills.

What You’ll Need For James Martin Aubergine Lasagne

• Aubergine: The star of the dish, providing a rich, meaty texture and absorbing flavors beautifully.
• Pasta: Adds structure and helps create the classic lasagne layering.
• Tomatoes: Creates a robust and flavorful sauce base for the dish.
• Milk and Cream: Essential for creating a smooth and creamy white sauce.
• Cheese: Provides a delicious golden top and adds richness to the lasagne.

• Garlic, Basil, Cloves, Bay Leaf: Infuse the dish with deep, complex flavors and aromatic notes.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhance and balance the overall taste of the lasagne.

• Olive Oil, Butter, Flour: Support the cooking process by helping to create sauces and fry ingredients.
• Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the white sauce.

Simple Steps To Make James Martin Aubergine Lasagne

Step 1: Preheat The Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 200C (400F), getting ready for a mouthwatering culinary adventure.

Step 2: Prepare Aubergine Slices

Slice aubergines into hearty thick pieces. Heat olive oil in a skillet and fry the slices until they turn golden and soft. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 3: Create Robust Tomato Sauce

• Minced garlic
• Olive oil

Let the sauce bubble and reduce for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the sauce looks glossy and thick, tear fresh basil leaves into the mixture.

Step 4: Infuse Creamy Milk Base

• Sliced onion
• Whole cloves
• Bay leaf

Watch carefully to prevent boiling, removing from heat just before bubbles form.

Step 5: Craft Smooth White Sauce Roux

Melt butter in a pan, then stir in flour. Cook for two minutes until the mixture smells nutty and looks golden.

Step 6: Blend White Sauce

Strain the warm milk mixture into the butter-flour base. Whisk thoroughly until smooth. Simmer until the sauce reaches a silky, thick consistency.

Step 7: Layer Lasagne Masterpiece

• Tomato sauce
• Aubergine slices
• Pasta sheets
• White sauce

Repeat layers, finishing with a generous sprinkle of mixed cheeses on top.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Slide the lasagne into the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes until the top bubbles wildly and turns golden with delightful dark blistered spots.

Step 9: Rest And Serve

Allow the lasagne to rest for 10 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set and intensifies the flavors, creating a truly memorable dining experience.

Helpful Hints For James Martin Aubergine Lasagne

• Elevate Aubergine Texture: Pat dry aubergine slices thoroughly before frying to achieve maximum golden crispiness and prevent soggy layers.
• Infuse Deeper Flavor: Roast garlic with tomatoes during simmering to add rich, caramelized undertones to the sauce.
• Master White Sauce Technique: Remove onion, cloves, and bay leaf before whisking to ensure smooth, silky béchamel without lumps or unexpected spice bits.
• Control Moisture Balance: Let cooked aubergines rest on paper towels to absorb excess oil and prevent watery lasagne layers.
• Perfect Cheese Topping: Mix different cheese types like mozzarella and parmesan for a complex, golden-brown crust with varied melting properties.

Different Twists On James Martin Aubergine Lasagne

• Vegan Veggie Lasagne: Replace aubergines with zucchini or mushrooms. Use plant-based milk and vegan cheese. Swap white sauce with cashew cream for a rich alternative.
• Gluten-Free Garden Lasagne: Substitute wheat pasta with gluten-free lasagne sheets. Use cornstarch instead of flour for white sauce. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Lean Protein Powerhouse: Add ground turkey or lean beef to tomato sauce. Include spinach between layers for extra nutrition. Use low-fat mozzarella and ricotta for healthier version.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Incorporate roasted red peppers with aubergines. Mix fresh oregano and thyme into tomato sauce. Sprinkle feta cheese on top for authentic Greek flavor profile.

Perfect Sides For James Martin Aubergine Lasagne

• Perfectly Complement Aubergine Lasagne
• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that cuts through the creamy layers and matches the rich tomato sauce's acidity.
• Serve with Fresh Green Salad: Create a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the lasagne's heaviness, adding bright, zesty notes that refresh the palate.
• Enhance with Rustic Bread: Offer crusty sourdough or ciabatta to soak up remaining sauce, providing a delightful textural contrast and extra indulgence to the meal.
• Accompany with Herbal Side: Prepare a simple herb-infused olive oil drizzle with fresh basil and parsley to complement the aubergine's earthy flavors and add a final Mediterranean touch.

How To Keep James Martin Aubergine Lasagne Fresh

• Store leftover lasagne in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Wrap individual portions or whole lasagne tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2-3 months. Label with date.
• Place single portion on microwave-safe plate. Cover with damp paper towel. Heat at 50% power for 2-3 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even warming.
• Preheat oven to 180C. Cover lasagne with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 74C. Remove foil last 5 minutes for crispy top.

FAQs On James Martin Aubergine Lasagne

• What makes aubergine lasagne different from traditional lasagne?

This version uses aubergines instead of meat, creating a rich vegetarian dish with layers of intense Mediterranean flavors and a creamy white sauce.

• Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, the lasagne is completely vegetarian, using aubergines as the main protein and featuring a delicious combination of tomato sauce, white sauce, and cheese layers.

• Can I prepare this dish in advance?

You can prepare the components ahead of time – fry aubergines, make tomato sauce, and white sauce – then assemble and bake when ready to serve.

• What type of cheese works best for this recipe?

A combination of mozzarella for melting and parmesan for sharp flavor works perfectly, giving the lasagne a rich, golden top and deep cheesy taste.

Aubergine Lasagne Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 75 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Layered Mediterranean magic reveals this mouthwatering aubergine lasagne, blending rich Italian flavors with roasted vegetable depth. Creamy cheese and herbed sauce promise a comforting meal that transports you straight to a sun-drenched Italian countryside kitchen.

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Ingredients

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Vegetables:

• 2 aubergines, thick sliced
• 1/2 onion, halved
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large bunch basil

Dairy and Cheese:

• 25 grams butter
• 300 milliliters milk
• 200 milliliters double cream
• 200 grams mature cheddar, grated
• 1 ball mozzarella, sliced
• 50 grams parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated

Sauces and Other Ingredients:

• 2 x 400 grams cans chopped tomatoes
• 100 milliliters olive oil
• 1.5 tablespoons plain flour
• 2 cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• 12 lasagne sheets

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F), preparing for a rich Mediterranean-inspired baking experience.
2. Slice aubergines into substantial pieces and sear in olive oil until they develop a golden, tender texture. Remove excess oil using paper towels and season generously.
3. Create a robust tomato sauce by simmering chopped tomatoes with garlic and olive oil for approximately 30 minutes. Stir intermittently and incorporate torn basil leaves once the sauce becomes thick and glossy.
4. Infuse milk and cream with onion, cloves, and bay leaf over gentle heat. Remove from stove just before boiling to preserve delicate flavors.
5. Craft a roux by melting butter and incorporating flour, cooking until the mixture releases a nutty aroma and loses its raw essence.
6. Carefully strain the aromatic milk mixture into the roux, whisking thoroughly to create a smooth, velvety white sauce. Simmer until achieving a luxurious consistency.
7. Assemble the lasagne in a large baking dish, layering tomato sauce, roasted aubergine slices, pasta sheets, and white sauce. Repeat layers, culminating with an abundant cheese topping.
8. Bake for 30 minutes, allowing the lasagne to bubble vigorously and develop golden, slightly charred edges.
9. Allow the lasagne to rest for 10 minutes before serving, enabling flavors to meld and the dish to set for easier portioning.

Notes

• Check aubergine thickness matters for even cooking and perfect texture, aim for slices around 1/2 inch thick to ensure golden exterior and soft interior.
• Drain fried aubergines thoroughly on paper towels to remove excess oil and prevent soggy lasagne layers, patting gently to absorb moisture.
• Use fresh basil leaves for intense flavor, tearing them just before adding to tomato sauce to preserve their aromatic oils and bright green color.
• Infuse milk mixture with whole spices like cloves and bay leaf for subtle depth, removing before making white sauce to avoid overpowering other delicate flavors.
• Experiment with cheese combinations like mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta for complex, rich taste profile that complements aubergine’s earthy notes.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 610 kcal
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg