Slice of vegetable lasagna being removed from casserole dish.
If you're a fan of classic lasagna, get ready to be blown away by this incredible Vegetable Lasagna. Packed with a medley of nutritious vegetables, including mushrooms, onions, zucchini, and spinach, this vegetarian delight is a perfect choice when you're craving a comforting and cheesy main dish.
A Wholesome Blend of Ingredients
Ingredients for vegetable lasagna recipe.
To create this superb vegetable lasagna recipe, you'll need some key ingredients, along with a few notes and substitutions:
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables.
- Onion, Bell Pepper, Mushrooms, Zucchini: These hearty veggies add a burst of flavor and texture. For a twist, you can substitute yellow squash for the zucchini.
- Garlic: Essential for Italian dishes like this one.
- Marinara Sauce: Opt for a good quality store-bought sauce or indulge in the homemade variety if you have the time.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes bring the lasagna to life. The subtle hint of spice from the red pepper flakes adds a delightful kick.
- Fresh Parsley: Infuses a fresh and herby flavor.
- Spinach: As the lasagna bakes, the fresh spinach wilts down into the sauce, making it even more irresistible.
- Ricotta & Egg: A combination of ricotta cheese and an egg creates creamy pockets throughout the lasagna. Feel free to use a full 15-ounce container if you adore ricotta, or substitute cottage cheese if desired.
- Oven Ready Lasagna Noodles: Ensure the best results by using oven-ready (no-boil) lasagna noodles. They absorb the extra moisture from the vegetables, especially the zucchini, resulting in a perfect texture.
- Mozzarella & Parmesan Cheese: These classic ingredients bring the comforting and cheesy flavor that we all love in lasagna recipes.
Preparing the Vegetable Lasagna
The recipe follows a simple process: sauté the veggies, simmer the sauce, layer, and bake!
- Sauté the vegetables in olive oil until they've softened. Add minced garlic to enhance the flavors.
Sauteed vegetables and garlic in a pot.
- Stir in the marinara and seasonings, then simmer for 10-15 minutes, occasionally stirring to develop the flavors.
Marinara sauce and seasonings added to vegetables in pot.
- Stir the spinach into the sauce, where it will wilt down perfectly.
Stirring fresh spinach into marinara sauce.
- Layer the ingredients in the baking dish. Begin by spreading a cup of sauce over the bottom, then layer noodles, sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Repeat this layering step once more. For the top layer, use noodles, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
Four images showing how to layer lasagna: noodles, sauce, cheese, repeat.
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Bake the lasagna at 375°F for 35 minutes, covered with foil. Then, uncover and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the lasagna is hot, bubbly on the sides, and golden brown on top.
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Let it rest! Allow the lasagna to rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting time allows the lasagna to set up, ensuring it won't be too soupy when served. Sprinkle some fresh basil or parsley on top for a delightful finishing touch.
Baked vegetable lasagna in baking dish.
Tips for a Perfect Vegetable Lasagna
- If you wish to use different vegetables, make sure to cook them until soft before assembling the lasagna.
- Opt for no-boil/oven-ready lasagna noodles. They absorb the moisture from the vegetables, saving you time and effort.
- As the noodles expand during cooking, the baking dish will be quite full. Place a rimmed baking sheet on the rack beneath the lasagna to catch any drips.
- If you want a smaller portion, halve the recipe and bake it in a 9x9-inch baking dish. The baking time remains the same.
Vegetable lasagna in pan cut into slices.
Perfect Pairings for Vegetable Lasagna
Complete your meal with a fresh green salad and some warm bread. You can't go wrong with a loaded Italian Salad or a simple Arugula Salad. Slice up a loaf of crusty bread or make a batch of Garlic Knots to complement the flavors.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours before baking. Cover and refrigerate, and add about 15 minutes to the covered baking time if baking a cold lasagna.
- Refrigerator: Store leftover baked vegetable lasagna, wrapped airtight, in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze leftover lasagna in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Consider freezing individual portions for convenient meals later on. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat slices of veggie lasagna in the microwave or in a covered dish in the oven until steaming hot.
Slice of vegetable lasagna on a small plate.
More Lasagna Recipes to Explore
If you're craving more delicious lasagna recipes, give these a try. Whether you prefer vegetarian options or meat-filled delights, there's something for everyone:
- Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups
- Butternut Squash Lasagna
- Kale and Mushroom Lasagna
- Instant Pot Lasagna
- Slow Cooker Lasagna
- Slow Cooker Turkey and Veggie Lasagna
Prepare yourself for a mouthwatering journey with these scrumptious lasagna recipes!
