Description
Vegetarian Lasagna is a comforting and vibrant layered dish combining creamy plant-based cheese, fresh vegetables, and a natural gelling agent to create luscious textured layers. Easy to customize and perfect for any occasion, this recipe features time-saving steps and flavorful herbs for a delicious, wholesome meal.
Ingredients
Lasagna Components
- Lasagna noodles: pre-cooked or no-boil, quantity as needed for layering
- Plant-based cheese (melty and creamy): 2 cups
- Natural gelling agent: 1 tablespoon
- Tomato sauce (natural): 3 cups
Vegetables
- Zucchini, sliced: 1 medium
- Spinach, fresh: 2 cups
- Bell peppers, assorted colors, diced: 1 cup
- Garlic, minced: 3 cloves
- Onions, finely chopped: 1 medium
Additional Ingredients
- Smoked turkey bacon, chopped: 4 slices
- Fresh or dried herbs (basil, oregano, thyme): 1 tablespoon each, or to taste
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
- Apple cider vinegar: 1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Prep the Vegetables: Wash and slice zucchini, spinach, and bell peppers evenly. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat, sauté minced garlic and chopped onions until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add vegetables and cook for another 3-4 minutes until slightly softened but still fresh.
- Prepare the Sauce: Heat tomato sauce (natural) in a saucepan on low heat. Add fresh or dried basil and oregano, then stir in apple cider vinegar for brightness. Simmer gently for 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Cook the Noodles: If using traditional noodles, boil in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking. Separate no-boil noodles to ensure even layering.
- Assemble the Layers: Spread a thin layer of prepared tomato sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Layer noodles over the sauce, then spread a generous amount of sautéed vegetables, dot with plant-based cheese, and sprinkle chopped smoked turkey bacon. Repeat layers ending with a final layer of sauce and plant-based cheese on top. Sprinkle natural gelling agent evenly over the top layer.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes. Remove foil for the last 10 minutes to allow the cheese to bubble and brown slightly. Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs like basil or oregano to enhance the flavor more than dried herbs.
- Press excess moisture from vegetables like spinach to avoid soggy layers.
- Keep lasagna layers even for consistent texture and presentation.
- Do not overbake to prevent drying out the plant-based cheese.
- Allow the lasagna to rest after baking for clean and firm slices.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: vegetarian lasagna, plant-based cheese lasagna, vegetable lasagna, baked pasta, gluten free lasagna