Cheesy Polenta Lasagne with Mushrooms and Seitan

From the kitchen of Carly

Creamy polenta lasagne layered with sautéed mushrooms and savory seitan, bound together with a nutmeg-scented béchamel spiked with Fontina and Gruyère. Rich, satisfying, and entirely plant-forward without sacrificing an ounce of comfort.

Prep
n/a
Cook
n/a
Total
n/a
Servings
4
Difficulty
medium

Ingredients

4 servings

  • 11/2 stick unsalted butter
  • 13 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 12 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 11/4 pound Italian Fontina, coarsely grated (about 1 cup)
  • 13 ounces Gruyère, coarsely grated (about 1 cup), divided
  • 1Scant 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 13 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 13 tablespoons olive oil
  • 110 ounces cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 18 ounces seitan (patted dry and thinly sliced)
  • 11/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
  • 13 tablespoons water
  • 12 (16-to 18-ounce) logs ready-made plain polenta

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F with rack in upper third. Lightly butter a 2-to 2 1/2-quart shallow baking dish.

  2. Melt butter in a 2-to 3-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth, then cook roux, whisking frequently, until pale golden, 2 to 3 minutes.

  3. Meanwhile, heat milk in a separate small saucepan until just about to boil. Add milk to roux in 2 batches, whisking constantly until very smooth. Bring to a boil, whisking, then cook, whisking, 30 seconds. Remove from heat and whisk in Fontina, half of Gruyère, nutmeg, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and set aside, whisking occasionally.

  4. Cook garlic in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat, stirring, until beginning to turn pale golden. Stir in mushrooms, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are softened, about 3 minutes. Add seitan and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms and seitan are slightly golden, about 4 minutes. Add water and cook briefly, scraping up any brown bits.

  5. Spread 1/2 cup cheese sauce in bottom of baking dish.

  6. Slice 1 log of polenta into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and arrange enough rounds to cover bottom of dish, overlapping slightly. Spoon half of filling evenly over polenta, then spread with half of remaining cheese sauce (about 1 cup). Slice enough rounds from second log to form a second layer. Cover with remaining filling, then cheese sauce. Sprinkle with remaining Gruyère and bake until top is just bubbling and slightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.