Enjoy a hearty and healthy meal with this Vegetable Lasagna. Packed with fresh vegetables, rich tomato sauce, and a blend of cheeses, this lasagna is a perfect vegetarian option that’s full of flavor and comfort. Ideal for family dinners or special occasions, it’s a dish that everyone will love.
Ingredients
For the Noodles:
- 9 lasagna noodles, uncooked
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Vegetable Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 8 ounces white mushrooms, sliced
- 2 medium zucchinis, chopped into ½-inch cubes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cups tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 egg, beaten
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Noodles:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to keep ingredients from sticking.
- Prepare the Vegetable Sauce:
- Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the sliced mushrooms and cook until they begin to brown and release their juices, roughly 5 minutes.
- Introduce the sliced mushrooms and sauté until they release their moisture and begin to turn golden, which should take around 5 minutes.
- Add the diced zucchini and ½ teaspoon salt. Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes, or until the zucchini becomes tender.
- Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced red bell pepper. Sauté until the vegetables become tender, which should take approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and ¼ cup fresh parsley. Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, and ¼ cup fresh parsley. Mix until well combined.
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of the vegetable sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Place three lasagna noodles on top of the sauce. Spread one-third of the cheese mixture over the noodles, then top with one-third of the vegetable sauce.
- Repeat the layers twice more, ending with the remaining vegetable sauce on top.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake the Lasagna:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Take off the foil and continue baking for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and has a bubbly texture.
- Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Conclusion
This Vegetable Lasagna is a delicious and satisfying meal that showcases the natural flavors of fresh vegetables and creamy cheese. Perfect for a family dinner or a special gathering, it’s a dish that brings comfort and joy to the table.