The Best Lasagna Recipe…with no meat!
That’s right. What if we told you this easy vegetable lasagna recipe was equally as good as a Classic Lasagna Recipe? We love a vegetarian version of a classic, like our Vegetable Pot Pie. Its soft tender noodles, fresh veggies that get cooked down to a savory hearty mixture, and smooth, rich ricotta filling, make this healthy vegetable lasagna a staple in our house. While it does take some time to prep and cook, it’s a great area to get the kids involved and, you won’t have to worry about an additional main dish (unless you want to!) because this meatless lasagna will please everyone! We love this recipe for vegetable lasagna because it’s budget-friendly, contains simple ingredients, is very satisfying, and, well who doesn’t like lasagna? Sometimes making lasagna can be overwhelming, but we’ve provided a guide on how to make your lasagna the best lasagna based on the dietary needs of your company. For some added protein serve our Vegetarian Meatballs on the side.
If you’ve already made this classic vegetable lasagna, and love lasagna as much as us, we tried and tested three different variations including our Crockpot Vegetable Lasagna, a Four Cheese and Mushroom Rolled Lasagna, and a Lasagna Soup.
What is Vegetarian Lasagna Made Of?
We’re making a meatless lasagna to please even the biggest meat lovers. Packed with hearty veggies, lots of cheese, a simple tomato marinara, and of course the garlicky ricotta filling, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t made it before:
Lasagna noodles
Sea salt
Extra virgin olive oil
Yellow onion
Garlic cloves
Cremini mushrooms
Zucchini
Yellow squash
Baby spinach
Fresh basil
Ricotta cheese
Large eggs
Garlic powder
Freshly cracked black pepper
Marinara sauce (jarred or Homemade Marinara)
Mozzarella
Parmesan
Our Best Tips for Vegetable Lasagna
We know making the best lasagna can seem overwhelming, but, with these tips, ensure that your veggie-packed lasagna comes out perfect every. single. time.
If you’re looking for healthy substitutes, we suggest swapping out ricotta using equal parts cottage cheese and whipping it up in a food processor for a smooth, silky filling! You can also use whole wheat noodles!
Short on time? Swap out your noodles (and skip the first step!) for no boil noodles!
Want to make it gluten-free? Look for gluten free noodles and satisfy everyone OR swap out the noodles entirely and use this Lasagna Stuffed Zucchini Boat recipe!
While jarred marinara in this recipe saves time, if you have a little extra, we suggest making your own, Homemade Marinara.
We chose budget-friendly, hearty vegetables for this recipe but, you can make it your own and adjust the vegetables…such as diced eggplant, Tuscan kale, and bell peppers based on the season. Keep in mind that anything with a high water content will need to be cooked first to avoid a soggy lasagna later!
Our favorite tip: Make Ahead! Follow steps 1- 7, up until it’s assembled, and then freeze! When you bake it later, you’ll need to take it out of the freezer ahead of time and add 20-30 minutes to the covered baking time.
What to Serve with Vegetarian Lasagna
A crowd pleasing dish for the holidays is here and it goes well alongside almost any menu! Our favorite sides are a classic Caesar Salad, Kale Caesar, or a Simple Italian Salad. And we could never forget something to soak up all that delicious sauce and veggies like Focaccia, Garlic Bread, or Pull Apart Cheese Bread. If you’re looking for a heartier accompaniment, we like to serve easy-to-make roasted meats such as Whole Roast Chicken with Carrots or the Perfect Roast Turkey Recipe. For the holidays, it goes beautifully alongside a Roasted Garlic Honey Baked Ham or Prime Rib with Roasted Garlic and Horseradish Cream Sauce.
How to Make Vegetable Lasagna
Follow these step-by-step instructions for how to make a simple and cozy casserole with layers of tender veggies, rich tomato sauce, herby ricotta, and gooey, bubbling cheese:
Prep the lasagna noodles! Simply add your noodles to boiling salted water and cook al-dente according to the package. Don’t skip the step of salting the water – this can make a big impact on flavor! Pro Tip: although it’s hard not to oil your noodles when they come out to avoid sticking, don’t! This might cause the sauce not to stick. When ready to assemble, run them gently under warm water and they’ll come apart.
Cook the vegetable mixture! This process will soften and lightly brown the vegetables as well as reduce the water content in them, so you’ll have a lasagna that will hold together without being watery! Onions and garlic develop flavor while the zucchini, yellow squash, spinach, and mushrooms beef up the mixture!
Mix up the ricotta layer! Garlicky, herby ricotta gets held together by the eggs resulting in a smooth, delicious filling.
Assemble and bake! Start by adding a thin layer of sauce down, followed by the lasagna noodles, ricotta mixture, vegetable mixture, and eventually the sauce. Repeat two times ending with a healthy serving of mozzarella. Bake covered for 30 minutes then remove the top and bake an additional 30 until the top is golden brown and bubbly!
Tools You’ll Need For This Homemade Lasagna Recipe
Our Favorite Meatless Monday Meals:
Get in that extra dose of vegetables with some of our favorite meals that appease vegetarians and meat-eaters alike!
Ooey Gooey Cheesy Goodness for Everyone!
This comforting cheesy meatless lasagna is one of our favorites and for good reason! Snap us a photo of your Vegetable Lasagna and the beautiful people you shared it with. Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper for an opportunity to be reposted! Happy eating!
