Easy Vegetarian Lasagna with Step by Step Directions
on Nov 21, 2019, Updated Sep 27, 2024
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Vegetarian Lasagna is like the queen of casseroles, comfort food, and hearty meals! This recipe has everything – 3 different layers, a tomato sauce made from scratch, and lots of cheese. Potlucks, birthdays, family dinners – this pasta dish is your answer!
There is nothing quite like digging into layers and layers of pasta stuffed with veggies, sauce, cheese and more cheese. To be honest with you, I make those quick 30-minute lasagna for weeknight dinners quite often. But you’ll agree with me that sometimes you just need the real deal.
And this easy Vegetarian Lasagna is something all pasta lovers need to try at least once! In this recipe, I breakdown all the steps of making this lasagna, as well as walk you through the kind of pasta you need to use, how to freeze it, and so much more. Think of this article like a little crash course in making the best homemade lasagna! So let’s get started…
Jump to section: Easy Vegetarian Lasagna
Reasons To Love This Vegetarian Lasagna
- Super customisable. You can add or subtract whatever veggies you have available
- Perfect clear-the-fridge kind of recipe
- Rich in fiber, minerals, nutrients and essential vitamins, thanks to being loaded with veggies
- The sauce is made from scratch, meaning you know exactly what’s going into this recipe
Veg Lasagna Ingredient Overview
I’ve used the vegetables that I think go best in a lasagna – red bell peppers, mushrooms and zucchini. The easiest and fastest way to prepare them is by pan roasting them in some oil with onions and garlic. But you can also roast them in the oven. We also have spinach in the recipe that goes in the spinach ricotta layer. So you really have a ton of veggies that go here!
How to Layer The Lasagna
This is a really simple process and there’s no right or wrong way to do it.
- Brush the base of the casserole with oil (this helps the lasagna from sticking to the bottom)
- Spread a little sauce
- Cover the base with lasagna sheets (this helps to form a base so that the lasagna doesn’t fall apart when you try serving)
- Spread the ricotta spinach mixture
- Place another layer of lasagna sheets
- Add a layer of the vegetables
- Spoon some sauce and cheese over this
- Layer with lasagna sheets, more sauce and cheese and then bake!
Frequently Asked Questions
There are three main layers in this lasagna – spinach ricotta which adds a layer of creaminess, pan roasted vegetables, cheese and sauce. You will need to make three main elements for this recipe, and these can be made ahead, so that all you finally have to do is assemble and bake.
I always buy the no cook lasagna sheets (I use Barilla’s lasagna sheets). The advantage with them is that you don’t need to pre-boil them before using them. They are much easier to handle and cook as the lasagna cooks. You can also use fresh lasagna sheets if you can get your hands on them.
Even though this vegetarian is quite wholesome as is, it tastes really nice with a side of salad or homemade garlic bread to make this an even more filling meal.
This lasagna once cooked, lasts in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to a month. You can assemble this lasagna and store it unbaked in the fridge for up to 2 days.
I’ve used red bell peppers, mushrooms and zucchini – I feel these work really well in the lasagna. The easiest and fastest way to prepare them is by pan roasting them in some oil with onions and garlic. But you can also roast them in the oven. We also have spinach in the recipe that goes in the spinach ricotta layer. So you really have a ton of veggies that go here!
Richa’s Top Tips
- Even though this is a vegetarian recipe, you can easily add shredded chicken or any other protein of your choice to make it more wholesome
- After removing the lasagna from the oven, allow it to rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This will help the cheese settle down, and deliver a clean cut when serving.
This lasagna is all kinds of amazing. And it tastes great out of the oven when it’s warm and bubbly. But an even better thing with this lasagna is that it tastes even better the next day when the layers have had more time to sit together. And if you freeze it and reheat it a month later, it still tastes fantastic! So all I’m saying is, it’s time to make yourself a nice big batch of vegetarian lasagna…right away!
Watch Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe Video
Easy Vegetarian Lasagna
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
SAUCE:
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 3 Garlic cloves, chopped finely
- 1 Onion, finely chopped (100g)
- 1 Carrot, grated (70-80 grams)
- 2 Tomatoes, chopped (170g)
- 2 cups Tomato Puree, 400g/ Passata
- 1 cup Water
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 3/4 teaspoon Thyme , dried
- 3/4 teaspoon Oregano, dried
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Chilli flakes, adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- Salt and pepper
ROASTED VEGETABLES:
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Onion, any type, chopped (175 -200g)
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped (100g)
- 200 g Button Mushrooms, diced
- 1 Zucchini, diced (medium)
- Salt and pepper
SPINACH RICOTTA FILLING:
- 100 g Spinach, blanched and chopped (Note 1)
- 200 g Ricotta
- 1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Cream, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt and Pepper
LASAGNA:
- 12 no boil Lasagne sheets
- 300 g Mozzarella, shredded
Instructions
- Start the sauce so that it can simmer while you prep everything else. Heat oil in a saucepan and saute onions, garlic and carrots. Once the onions are soft, add tomatoes, tomato puree, water, thyme, oregano, sugar, salt and pepper and let this come to a boil. Then reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer for 20-25 minutes till the tomatoes break down and the sauce is thick.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and saute onions and garlic. Add salt and once the onions are translucent, add bell peppers, mushrooms and zucchini. Cook on high heat for 8-10 minutes till the vegetables are cooked and any residual water has evaporated. Season with more salt and pepper if required.
- In a bowl mix together blanched spinach, ricotta, parmesan and cream (is using). Refrigerate till ready to use.
Layering the Lasagna:
- Preheat oven to 180C/ 350F.
- Brush the base of a large baking dish (mine is 12.5 inch by 8 inch) with olive oil. Spoon a ladleful of the sauce at the base and spread it out. Cover the base with lasagna sheets overlapping/tearing as required.
- Add all the spinach ricotta mixture and spread it out. Cover with lasagna sheets.
- Add the roasted vegetables and spread them out. This will be the thickest layer. Add 2-3 ladles of sauce (approx 1.5 cups) and spread it over the veggies. Sprinkle a cup of cheese.
- Layer with lasagna sheets. Add 2 cups sauce on top and spread it out. Sprinkle with remaining cheese
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the lasagna is baked through (stick a knife in the middle to check – there should be no resistance) and the cheese is golden on top.
- This is an important step. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps settle the layers and the lasagna won't fall apart when you serve.
Notes
- Spinach: You can also use frozen spinach. Make sure to thaw it fully and squeeze out all the water before using. Do the same with blanched spinach.
- Pasta: If you are using pasta that needs to be pre-cooked, boil according to package directions. Reduce the cooking time to 25 minutes and then check.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the lasagna and refrigerate for a couple of hours and bake when required.
- Storing: The lasagna keeps well in the refrigerator for up to four days. Or you can freeze it for up to 2 months.
this is a vegetable lasagne, but not a vegetarian lasagne
Its vegetarian, but it isn’t vegan – I think thats what you meant
Super easy!! I have to make a half and half- ricotta on one side and cottage cheese on the other. I also add mushrooms to the ricotta side. I just split the cheese recipe in half. Turns out really good!!
This is so so so good – has become our weekend go-to plan 😀
I tried a version without the spinach/cheese layer (was feeling a bit lazy to do all that spinach pre-work) – and that turned out amazing too!
Must Must try !
OMG! I tried this recipe and actually stuck to it, down to the gram and it was amazing. I was fasting and could not taste it before serving it and I have never had a dish be recieved so well. The recipe needs no guess work and the end product looks and tastes beautiful (or so I am told). Next time I’ll make it when I can eat it too.
Thanks Radhika! I really hope you end up getting to eat the lasagna soon
Hi & thank youbso much for this recipe. Our son is visiting soon, & requested V lasagna! & I found this wonderful step by step instructions. A question, in the written recipe it said add 1 cup water, but in video it did not show, just wondering. & also no mention of covering it w foil before putting it on oven, so I am assuming not necessary. Again tks!
Hey Amy, I’m sorry I think we missed the water step while editing the recipe. Please follow the recipe instructions as is. And you don’t need to cover it with foil as there is enough sauce to provide moisture. I hope you try this out!
Really, really delicious recipe. Thank you so much for sharing. By far the best lasagne recipe I have tried to date.
Will be on high rotation in our house from here on in 🙂
I tried this lasagna recipe recently. I had been searching for a good vegetarian lasagna recipe for a long time and none hit the sweet spot so to speak until I found this recipe by Richa. The lasagna was a big hit with the family and have recommended and shared the recipe with my friends. I will definitely be making use of the recipe again and again.
Thanks so much Anupriya!!
Looks awesome! Could I know which tomato puree you used?
Hey, I use Dabur’s Homemade Tomato Puree
fantastic and easy
Hi Margaret! Thanks for dropping us a comment! Stay tuned for more easy recipes 🙂
My family and I really enjoyed it, thank you for your recipe! Certainly will be making it again
Amazing recipe Richa, have tried it and it was so easy. Your instructions make it fool proof!
Planning to make it again for a Christmas Party later next month!
Thanks so much Ninoshka!! So glad you liked the recipe