I love crafting my Best Vegetable Lasagna Recipe featuring vibrant zucchini, earthy mushrooms, and fresh spinach layered between tender lasagna noodles. Infused with olive oil, garlic, and onions and finished with a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, this dish offers a hearty vegetarian twist that’s both satisfying and full of flavor.
I just made this vegetable lasagna recipe that totally blew my mind and I knew I had to share it with you all. I started off by sautéing a chopped medium onion with 2 tbsp olive oil and 3 minced garlic cloves until they got nice and soft.
Then I tossed in thinly sliced zucchinis and 8 oz of sliced mushrooms, letting them cook down a bit before mixing in about 3 cups of fresh spinach. I layered the mixture with 12 perfectly prepped lasagna noodles and a rich marinara sauce, with dollops of ricotta, mozzarella and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan.
Every bite reminds me why this is easily one of the best veggie lasagna recipes out there. This dish is an innocent nod to those hearty yet light vegetarian options and even though it might sound simple its flavors sure pack a punch.
Enjoy trying out this surefire winner for your next dinner!
Why I Like this Recipe
I love this recipe because it gives me a perfect balance between healthy veggies and that cheesy, comforting taste that makes me feel good. I really enjoy how it combines flavors from zucchini, spinach, mushrooms and even eggplant if I feel adventurous, so every bite is different but still really satisfying. I also like that the recipe is pretty easy to follow even when I’m tired, meaning I can whip it up without spending all day in the kitchen. Plus, I appreciate the flexibility since I can modify the vegetables or the cheese amounts around a bit to suit my mood or what I have on hand.
Ingredients
- Olive oil: Provides healthy fats, enhances flavor, and helps evenly cook the veggies.
- Onions: Rich in fiber and antioxidants, they become sweet when lightly sautéed.
- Garlic: Adds pungency, boosts immunity, and gives the dish a robust, savory kick.
- Zucchini: A low-calorie vegetable packed with vitamins and fiber goodness.
- Mushrooms: Offer an earthy texture with an umami flavor and essential nutrients.
- Spinach: Brings iron and freshness, making the dish both vibrant and healthy.
- Red bell pepper: Sweet, crisp vegetable loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants.
- Eggplant: Optional, it adds a tender texture and a subtle, smoky flavor.
- Marinara sauce: A tangy tomato base rich in flavor and natural sweetness.
Ingredient Quantities
- 12 lasagna noodles (you can use the oven-ready ones or the regular type, up to you)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped roughly
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped if you like)
- 1 small eggplant, sliced thin (optional but adds a nice touch)
- 4 cups marinara sauce (store-bought works fine if you dont wanna make your own)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
How to Make this
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and if your noodles ar regular ones, cook them according to the pack instructions then drain and set them aside.
2. In a large pan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and fry ’em until the onion gets soft.
3. Add the sliced zucchinis, mushrooms, diced red bell pepper, and eggplant (if you’re using it) to the pan. Stir them well and let cook for about 5 minutes, until they start to soften.
4. Toss in the fresh spinach and cook until it just wilts. Season the veggies with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Pour 4 cups of marinara sauce into the pan with the vegetables, stirring everything together until nicely mixed.
6. Spread a thin layer of the sauce and veggie mix on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Lay 3 lasagna noodles over it.
7. Spoon on some of the ricotta cheese in dollops over the noodles, then add a layer of half of the veggie mixture. Sprinkle with some of the shredded mozzarella and a little Parmesan.
8. Repeat the layers, starting with noodles, more ricotta, remaining veggies and sauce, and then top with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
9. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese on top gets bubbly and slightly golden.
10. Let it sit for about 10 minutes after taking it out of the oven. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and then serve. Enjoy your hearty, cheesy, vegetable lasagna!
Equipment Needed
1. Preheated oven and a 9×13 inch baking dish
2. Large pot for boiling noodles
3. Strainer to drain noodles
4. Large pan for cooking the onions, garlic, and veggies
5. Knife and cutting board for chopping and slicing the vegetables
6. Mixing spoon or spatula for stirring the ingredients
7. Aluminum foil to cover the baking dish while baking
FAQ
Vegetable Lasagna Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you don’t have regular lasagna noodles, you can use gluten-free or whole wheat ones instead
- If you’re not a fan of ricotta, cottage cheese is a good alternative
- You can swap mozzarella for provolone if you want a slightly different flavor
- If you can’t find Parmesan, Asiago or Pecorino Romano will work just fine
- Instead of using spinach, you might try kale or arugula for a bit of a twist
Pro Tips
1. If you’re using regular lasagna noodles, be careful not to overcook them because they keep cooking in the oven and might get too mushy if you boil them for too long.
2. Try to slice your vegetables really thin so they cook evenly; thicker slices might leave you with some crunchy bits in the middle even when the lasagna is done.
3. Let the dish sit for about 10 minutes after you take it out of the oven. It helps the lasagna settle so it cuts cleaner and doesn’t fall apart on your plate.
4. When adding your herbs like basil, mix some into your veggie sauce too instead of only putting them on top at the end. It can give the sauce a more balanced flavor and makes the whole dish taste fresher.
Vegetable Lasagna Recipe
My favorite Vegetable Lasagna Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Preheated oven and a 9×13 inch baking dish
2. Large pot for boiling noodles
3. Strainer to drain noodles
4. Large pan for cooking the onions, garlic, and veggies
5. Knife and cutting board for chopping and slicing the vegetables
6. Mixing spoon or spatula for stirring the ingredients
7. Aluminum foil to cover the baking dish while baking
Ingredients:
- 12 lasagna noodles (you can use the oven-ready ones or the regular type, up to you)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped roughly
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped if you like)
- 1 small eggplant, sliced thin (optional but adds a nice touch)
- 4 cups marinara sauce (store-bought works fine if you dont wanna make your own)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and if your noodles ar regular ones, cook them according to the pack instructions then drain and set them aside.
2. In a large pan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and fry ’em until the onion gets soft.
3. Add the sliced zucchinis, mushrooms, diced red bell pepper, and eggplant (if you’re using it) to the pan. Stir them well and let cook for about 5 minutes, until they start to soften.
4. Toss in the fresh spinach and cook until it just wilts. Season the veggies with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Pour 4 cups of marinara sauce into the pan with the vegetables, stirring everything together until nicely mixed.
6. Spread a thin layer of the sauce and veggie mix on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Lay 3 lasagna noodles over it.
7. Spoon on some of the ricotta cheese in dollops over the noodles, then add a layer of half of the veggie mixture. Sprinkle with some of the shredded mozzarella and a little Parmesan.
8. Repeat the layers, starting with noodles, more ricotta, remaining veggies and sauce, and then top with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
9. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese on top gets bubbly and slightly golden.
10. Let it sit for about 10 minutes after taking it out of the oven. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and then serve. Enjoy your hearty, cheesy, vegetable lasagna!