Lasagna 2.0
Confession time: growing up, I hated lasagna. I know, sounds crazy, right? But hear me out—it was the ricotta’s texture that threw me off (after all, baked ricotta does have a grainy texture). Much to my delight, I later discovered that traditional Italian lasagna doesn’t even use ricotta. Instead, it calls for bechamel, a smooth and creamy white sauce. So, if you’re not yet sold on lasagna, it might just be the ricotta holding you back! That’s why we’re going all-in with bechamel for today’s vegetarian lasagna (that’s packed to the brim with vegetables). It’s surprisingly easy to make, and trust me, the 15 minutes of prep time is worth every second.
Grab These Ingredients
Our vegetable lasagna requires only a handful of ingredients. This is an overview, but you can jump to the recipe card for exact measurements!
Veggies: A vegetarian lasagna isn’t complete without veggies! I love zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, and baby spinach, but you can also try mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, butternut squash, carrots, or celery. Bechamel: We’ll use bechamel instead of a ricotta mixture. It’s very easy to make, especially if you follow our instructional photos and video! Marinara: Marinara sauce can make or break a lasagna recipe. For this one, we’ll be going the homemade route. Here’s how to make fresh tomato marinara (you’ll need to 1.5x it!). Noodles: I recommend using no-boil noodles, which cut your prep time down dramatically. Looking to go noodle-free? Try this eggplant lasagna or this zucchini lasagna (they’re both gluten-free!) Cheese: As far as cheese is concerned, shredded mozzarella is the way to go! It tastes the best in lasagna and provides a melty, stringy texture.
Making Veggie Lasagna Is Easy
As with most LEL recipes, I’ve pared down this recipe as much as possible to make it super easy and approachable (full directions in the recipe card at the end of this post).
Plays Well With
I love pairing a simple vegetable lasagna recipe with garlic bread and tons of nutritious greens. Here are some delicious green salad ideas you may enjoy!
Vegetarian Ceasar Salad: This classic lasagna pairing never fails to impress (plus, it’ll keep your meal vegetarian-friendly!). Everyday Kale Salad with Avocado and Apple: The fresh crunch is just what you need to balance the richness of your lasagna. Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad: You’ll love how easy this crisp, fall-inspired salad is to prep (make it as your lasagna bakes!).
