Caramelized Onion Lasagna
Recipe from EatingWell

This unusual lasagna with portobello mushrooms, sweet onions, spinach and Gorgonzola cheese has a rich, complex flavor. It's also great with goat cheese instead of Gorgonzola, if you prefer.


Caramelized Onion Lasagna


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Prep Time: 1 hr 10 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins
Servings: 9 servings
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Ingredients
 
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  • 8  ounces  lasagna noodles, preferably whole-wheatOn Sale
  • 3  tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oilOn Sale
  • 3    large sweet onions, thinly sliced (about 10 cups; see Kitchen Tip)On Sale
  • 4    medium portobello mushroom caps, gills removed (see Kitchen Tip), dicedOn Sale
  • 1/2  cup  red wineOn Sale
  • 1  teaspoon  saltOn Sale
  •     Freshly ground pepper, to tasteOn Sale
  • 4  cups  baby spinachOn Sale
  • 2  cups  nonfat ricotta cheeseOn Sale
  • 1/2  cup  chopped fresh basilOn Sale
  • 1/2  teaspoon  saltOn Sale
  • 2  tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oilOn Sale
  • 3  tablespoons  all-purpose flourOn Sale
  • 2  cups  low-fat milkOn Sale
  • 1/2  teaspoon  saltOn Sale
  • 2  ounces  crumbled Gorgonzola cheeseOn Sale
  • 1/3  cup  chopped walnutsOn Sale
  • 1/4  cup  chopped fresh basilOn Sale

Directions
1.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook noodles until not quite al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain; return the noodles to the pot and cover with cool water.
2.
To prepare onion filling: Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and very soft, about 25 minutes. (If they begin to stick, add water 1/4 cup at a time to release them and prevent burning.) Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until just beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Add wine and 1 teaspoon salt and continue cooking until most of the liquid is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in pepper.
3.
To prepare spinach filling: Place spinach, ricotta, basil and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor and process until smooth.
4.
To prepare white sauce: Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir until bubbling, about 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in milk and 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking, until the sauce has the consistency of thick gravy, about 1 minute. Add Gorgonzola and gently whisk until it is melted. Remove from the heat. (The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits.)
5.
To assemble lasagna: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
6.
Drain the noodles and spread out on a kitchen towel. Spread 1/2 cup white sauce in the prepared pan. Place a layer of noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the spinach filling over the noodles and top with one-third of the onion filling. Evenly spread 1/2 cup white sauce over the onions. Repeat with another layer of noodles, the remaining spinach filling, half the remaining onion filling and half the remaining white sauce. To finish, top with a third layer of noodles, spread the remaining onion filling over the noodles and then spread or dollop the remaining white sauce on top. Sprinkle with walnuts and basil.
7.
Bake until hot and bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Kitchen Tips:
Onions contain a volatile compound called lachrymator that reacts with the fluid in your eyes and makes them water. To chop them without crying, try wearing goggles, burning a candle nearby or cutting them under cold water. To mellow the bite of a raw onion, soak it for an hour in 1 cup cold water, 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt and then rinse thoroughly.
The dark gills found on the underside of a portobello mushroom cap are edible, but can turn a dish an unappealing gray/black color. Remove the gills with a spoon, if desired.
Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate the caramelized onion filling (Step 2) for up to 1 day.

Nutrition information
Calories 345, Total Fat 14 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Monounsaturated Fat 7 g, Cholesterol 9 mg, Sodium 680 mg, Carbohydrate 39 g, Fiber 8 g, Protein 16 g, Potassium 514 mg. Daily Values: Vitamin A 15%, Vitamin C 23%, Calcium 16%. Exchanges: Starch 1.5,Vegetable 2,Medium-Fat Meat 1,Fat 2. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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