Portobello Mushroom Lasagna Recipe
This Portobello Mushroom Lasagna is a rich, creamy, and savory vegetarian dish that combines tender portobello mushrooms with layers of no-boil lasagna noodles and a luscious homemade béchamel sauce. Slow refrigerated soaking allows noodles to soften perfectly before baking to a bubbly, golden finish, making it a comforting and elegant main course.
- Author: Isla
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 day 20 hours (includes 24-48 hours refrigeration) + 80 minutes active
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Mushrooms
- 1½ lbs. Melissa’s portobello mushrooms
- Good olive oil, 2 tablespoons
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (from divided amount)
Lasagna
- 12 no-boil lasagna noodles
Béchamel Sauce
- 4 cups whole milk
- 12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, divided
- ½ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- ½ tablespoon salt (for sauce)
Cheese
- 1 cup freshly ground Parmesan cheese
- Prepare Mushrooms: Separate the mushroom stems from the caps and discard the stems. Using a spoon, remove the gills from the caps to prevent bitterness. Slice the caps into ¼-inch thick pieces. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a 12-inch sauté pan over medium heat. Once the butter melts, add the mushroom slices and sprinkle with salt. Cook for about 5 minutes until mushrooms are tender and release their juices; then remove from heat and set aside.
- Make Béchamel Sauce: In a separate saucepan, gently bring the 4 cups of whole milk to a simmer and then set aside to keep hot. In a large saucepan, melt 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of butter over medium heat. Stir in ½ cup flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly to create a roux. Pour the hot milk into the butter-flour mixture all at once, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes. Season with ½ tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg. Remove from heat and keep aside.
- Assemble Lasagna: Spread a layer of béchamel sauce evenly on the bottom of an 8” by 8” by 2-inch baking dish. Arrange a layer of no-boil noodles over the sauce. Add more sauce over the noodles, followed by one-third of the cooked mushrooms and ¼ cup grated Parmesan. Repeat these layers two more times—noodles, sauce, mushrooms, and Parmesan. Finish with a final layer of noodles topped with béchamel sauce and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the assembled lasagna tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours. This resting period allows the no-boil noodles to soften fully by absorbing moisture from the sauce, developing optimal texture and flavor.
- Bake the Lasagna: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the plastic wrap from the dish and bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes or until the top is golden brown, and the sauce is bubbly and heated through.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna cool at room temperature for 15 minutes after baking to allow it to set. Serve hot and enjoy a deliciously satisfying portobello mushroom lasagna.
Notes
- Removing the mushroom gills prevents the lasagna from becoming bitter and watery.
- Warming the milk before adding to the roux speeds up the béchamel sauce preparation but is optional.
- Refrigerating the assembled lasagna for one to two days is critical for the no-boil noodles to soften properly and develop flavor.
- If short on time, you can bake immediately, but the texture of the noodles may be firmer.
- This recipe uses no-boil noodles, so it avoids the need for pre-cooking pasta, simplifying the process.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melt quality.
Keywords: Portobello Mushroom Lasagna, vegetarian lasagna, no-boil noodles, béchamel sauce, easy lasagna recipe, mushroom dinner, Italian vegetarian dish