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- Makes one 11×7-inch lasagna
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A tasty twist on lasagna, this vegan casserole recipe swaps out noodles for comforting Italian-seasoned polenta, layered with a saucy filling of lentils, kale, and bell pepper. Every forkful delivers a mouthwatering mix of the fluffy grains, tangy marinara, and tender veggies.
Ingredients
- 2 onions, chopped (2 cups)
- 1 red or green bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups oil-free low-sodium marinara sauce
- 1 15-oz. can brown lentils, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups coarsely torn stemmed kale
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups dry polenta
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 6 to 8 fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Cover and cook 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding water, 1 to 2 Tbsp. at a time, as needed to prevent sticking.
- Add 1 cup of the marinara, the lentils, kale, vinegar, tomato paste, and black pepper to skillet. Mix well and taste to adjust seasoning.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan bring 8 cups water to boiling. Gradually whisk in polenta, baking soda, and salt. Reduce heat to low; cook about 20 minutes or until mixture is thick and creamy, stirring frequently.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Evenly spread one-third of the polenta into a 2-qt. baking dish. Cover the saucepan so the remaining polenta doesn’t dry out. Spread half of the lentil mixture over the polenta in the baking dish. Top it with another one-third of the polenta. Repeat with the remaining lentil mixture and polenta, smoothing the polenta layer evenly.
- Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes. Just before serving, warm the remaining marinara and spread it over the top of the lasagna. Garnish with fresh basil.
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Comments (34)
(5 from 19 votes)I love polenta and was excited about this recipe. The ratio of lentils to polenta seemed off, with a lot more polenta than lentils, so a lot less flavor and less filling. Not worth all the effort in my opinion. If I make it again, I will skip the layering and baking and just scoop some polenta into a bowl and top it with the lentil mixture.
I just made this and it was really good BUT I did modify the recipe:. I added 2 cups versus 1 cup of marinara sauce (by accident) to the lentil mixture but it turned out well b/c the polenta didn't overwhelm the dish. I also followed others tips: reduced the amount of vinegar to 1 tbsp; increased the Italian seasoning; and increased the salt. I also added garlic powder to the marinara/lentil mixture, didn't add basil leaves (wasn't really necessary) and let it cool down before eating to ensure it didn't crumble. The marinara I used was also good (very low sugar Italian brand). I would definitely make again.
I made it exactly as stated in the recipe. I found that the polenta took all the flavor out of the lentil mixture. It was still good, but without the extra sauce (and a shot of port) , it would have tasted very bland. I will make it in a bigger pan next time (13x9), double the lentil layer, add more kale, and definitely add mushrooms!
What grain is being used to make the polenta. I don't think you should pour 1 cup of the polenta into the boiling water as polenta is the finished product after the grain has been cooked. Should the recipe say "1 cup of cornmeal"?
This recipe is fabulous. However, it should be noted that you must not use the fine-grained cornmeal sold as polenta. I did, and it was a gloppy disaster and unusable. But when I tried again using regular whole grain cornmeal (Bob's Mill brand) it came out perfect. Cornmeal and polenta are not interchangeable in this recipe. I am very grateful for this delicious new recipe and suggest it be renamed Layered Cornmeal/Lentil/Marinara Casserole. That would be more accurate.
I'm for sure going to try this--but I'll cook my own lentils and use my own marinara. Can't abide sweet jarred marinara. Plus, I've always cooked my own legumes from scratch; they are ever so much more gentle on the gut.
Is it possible to print this?
I won't make this again. It took a lot of time and labor, and all that effort to layer everything, only for it to turn out like gruel. Ugly, smushy, and unpalatable. The taste was fine. Not great, but good enough if it weren't for the appearance, texture, time, effort and dishes.
Who ever buys "Italian seasoning"? I always have its separate ingredients already in my cupboard!
Loved this but next time I would also increase Italian spices and add course chopped fresh garlic and mushrooms! As others said, it’s even better the second day. If making for company I’d make the day before. Maybe serve cold as a lovely summer dish. I’m eating it cold now for breakfast! Yummy!
Pretty good. I think I would make it again using this tip: "I doubled the Italian Seasoning. Also, for a bit of creaminess, I added a half cup of cashew cream (1/4 c soaked raw cashews blended with 1/2 c water and 1 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast) to the sauce."
This was great! Like another commenter, I doubled the Italian Seasoning. Also, for a bit of creaminess, I added a half cup of cashew cream (1/4 c soaked raw cashews blended with 1/2 c water and 1 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast) to the sauce. We loved it.
A super easy recipe that definitely tastes better the second and third day. After reading the comments on seasoning, I put a tablespoon of Italian Seasoning in instead of a teaspoon and reduced the vinegar to 1 tablespoon (and used apple cider vinegar instead of white). I also increased the salt to 1/2 teaspoon. For the kale I used a bunch of Lacinto Kale, cut the leaves from the stems, and finely diced the leaves (discarding the stems). The finished product is delicious and does cut like a cake after 2 days in the refrigerator. Simply heat up a slice, top with diced avocado and enjoy!
Healthy but tasteless. Won’t make this again. I love all the ingredients, but this combination was not good in my opinion.
Does anyone know how many calories are in this meal?
My husband (who is a meat eater) and I very much enjoyed this recipe. I did utilize grits as that is what I had in the pantry. My husband went back for seconds. I did not find the prep too time consuming. Definitely use a larger pot then you think you will need if you use grits. (Trust me in this).
I would like to see recipes for 1 or 2 people. As a single person, I would like to have recipes that won’t require me eating leftovers for several days.
Cut the recipe in half lol- I do that with pretty much every recipe.
I had to come back and comment again. *This dish is best served the second day. It allows the polenta to set up then, when cut, it slices cleanly like a layered cake. Looks impressive! I reheated mine in a cast iron skillet adding water to steam on medium for 15 minutes. The dish holds together beautifully and transfers unbroken to be plated.
I used yellow corn grits in place of polenta, rice vinegar and probably too many vegetables but, turned out well. Very hardy, filling and flavorful! I added a pinch of cayenne to the lentil mixture and topped it with some bruschetta I had sitting around- delicious!
A nutritious, whole food/plant-based, no oil, and fairly tasty dish which in no way resembles lasagna. I sat down to eat 2.5 hours after launching the recipe. I won't make again because too laborious and time-consuming to justify the outcome, both in preparation and clean-up.
Try using the premade polenta in a tube and it works out just about perfect for 2.5 people
great alternative to traditional polenta. I do not add salt, and I am using a can of imported tomatoes SanMarzano (whole, not chopped). Why is baking soda necessary?
It may be what makes the polenta "fluffy." I would not call the polenta I make for cereal or frying, "fluffy." That fluffiness may, also, allow the sauces to meld more evenly into the cornmeal.
Baking soda is used to cut the acid in tomato dishes.
I love the recipes, I can’t wait to start cooking.
Sounds really good, will try to cook it tonight.
I took the yard sauce to mean Lori was a gardener and had some nice veggies coming in already in her yard. This might be good in a Tex Mex version and the polenta made with blue corn meal!
Thank you! I love the sound of your version of this! Black beans instead of lentils and canned salsa or Rotel :) with cilantro & avocado to garnish!
I had to do some improvising, using black beans instead of lentils, and a good yard red sauce instead of the sauce ingredients, but other than that I mostly follow the recipe. Very easy and delicious! The challenge is not eating each of the components individually before putting them together into this lovely Pie!
Comfort food! This has a mellow flavor that is just right or can be customized to your preferences. Easy to make. I’m looking forward to trying the leftovers to see how the flavors merge ever further.
Lori Belenzon, what does that even mean? What is a good yard sauce??? Thx!
Karen, I think Lori meant jarred sauce. :-)
I think autocorrect changed jarred sauce to yard sauce. Looks like a good, healthy recipe. Will try it.