Caramelized Onion Lasagna

I received an email from my friend, Amber yesterday suggesting that I should try this recipe and report back to her. Not only did it sound good, it just so happened I had nothing planned yet in the way of meals. So tonight we had Caramelized Onion Lasagna from EatingWell.

I was a little worried that my sauce didn't turn out exactly right but you would have never known that to taste it. The results were delicious; however, it took quite a bit of effort. In fact, this was more effort than I have been used to these days in the kitchen. But if you have some extra time, this is very appetizing.

8 ounce(s) pasta, lasagna noodles, whole wheat
3 tablespoon oil, olive, extra virgin
3 large onion(s), sweet, thinly sliced
4 medium mushrooms, portobello, gills removed, diced
1/2 cup(s) wine, red, table
1 teaspoon salt
pepper, black ground, to taste
4 cup(s) spinach, baby
2 cup(s) cheese, ricotta, fat-free
1/2 cup(s) basil, fresh, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon oil, olive, extra virgin
3 tablespoon flour, all-purpose
2 cup(s) milk, lowfat (1%)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 ounce(s) cheese, crumbled Gorgonzola
1/3 cup(s) nuts, walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup(s) basil, fresh

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

2. Cook noodles until not quite al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions.

3. Drain; return the noodles to the pot and cover with cool water.

To prepare onion filling:
1. 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.)

2. 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.

To prepare spinach filling:
1. Place spinach, ricotta, basil and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor and process until smooth.

To prepare white sauce:
1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir until bubbling, about 30 seconds.

2. 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.

3. Add Gorgonzola and gently whisk until it is melted. Remove from the heat. (The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits.)

To prepare the lasagna:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

2. Drain the noodles and spread out on a kitchen towel. Spread 1/2 cup white sauce in the prepared pan.

3. 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.

4. Bake until hot and bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.