Easy Vegetable Lasagna Recipe | Diethood

Crisp-tender veggies mingle with a trio of creamy cheeses, layers of lasagna noodles, and hearty marinara in this perfect recipe for Easy Vegetable Lasagna. Everyone will come back for seconds on this one!

overhead shot of a square baking dish with vegetable lasagna cut in squares.

A Hearty and Satisfying Vegetarian Dinner Idea!

There’s nothing like a great vegetarian dinner recipe, right? A lot of readers are on the lookout for vegetarian meal options that are not just tasty, but hearty and filling. And, if they pass the picky eater test, which makes dinner time that much easier!

That’s exactly what you get with this cheesy, saucy lasagna. It’s full of savory, succulent veggies, yes. But, it’s also full of tender pasta, melted cheeses, and flavorful marinara. It really is delicious!

This vegetarian lasagna recipe is prepared with carrots, zucchini, and peppers, plus cottage cheese, feta cheese, and mozzarella cheese! It feeds a crowd and will satisfy both vegetarians and meat-lovers!

overhead shot of a square baking dish with vegetable lasagna cut in squares and one square being lifted up with a spoon.

What’s in This Vegetable Lasagna?

This recipe is made with four distinctive components: the veggies, the cheese, the sauce, and the topping. Let’s take a closer look at each one:

For the Vegetables

Olive Oil: I use a little olive oil to saute the veggies before layering them into the lasagna. You could also do avocado oil, or a mix of olive oil and butter.
Carrots: Wash and peel your carrots, and then slice them into coins.
Bell Peppers: Red bell peppers are my favorite! You could also use green, yellow, orange… it’s up to you.
Onion: Dice up one whole onion (I use yellow onion, but any kind is fine).
Zucchini: Zucchini is just perfect in easy vegetable lasagna. Its delicate texture and sunny flavor make this dish extra-satisfying.
Salt and Pepper
Garlic: Mince or press the garlic (or just hit the easy button, and use powdered or jarred garlic).
Pesto: My secret ingredient: a dab of pesto! Tons of taste and fragrance in one little spoonful.

For the Cheese Layer

Cottage Cheese: Using cottage cheese instead of ricotta adds a nice tangy depth of flavor, giving this lasagna a satisfying bite.
Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta is beautiful in easy vegetable lasagna. Need a replacement? Crumbled goat cheese also works well!
Basil: Chopped fresh basil really elevates the cheese layer, but you can definitely omit it or use dried basil, if you prefer.
Salt and Pepper
Lasagna Noodles: My favorite pasta is the no-boil lasagna pasta. So easy!

For the Tomato Sauce Layer

Pre-Made Marinara Sauce: Use a jar of your favorite marinara. You could also use any other red pasta sauce you like, homemade or store-bought.

For the Topping

Mozzarella: Mozzarella cheese gives the top of this easy vegetable lasagna a wonderful, melty, stretchy cheesiness.
Parmesan: Parmesan may not add much texture, but it adds a ton of deep cheesy flavor.
Basil: Chopped fresh basil makes a lovely optional garnish.

sauteeing diced carrots, zucchini, and peppers to make vegetable lasagna.

How to Make It (So Easy!)

Okay, let’s talk assembling this easy vegetable lasagna! It’s actually kind of fun. Once you have your ingredients ready to go, you can even bring in some little kitchen helpers to help you create the layers!

Cook the Veggie Mixture. Before you get started, make sure your oven is preheating to 425˚F. Next, set a large skillet over medium heat, and add a swirl of olive oil. Add the vegetables (except garlic and pesto) to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. At this point, the veggies will be tender and some of the liquid will have cooked out of the mixture. Add the garlic and pesto, and cook for one more minute. Set aside.
Make the Cheese Mixture. Combine the cottage cheese, feta, basil, salt, and pepper in a big mixing bowl. Stir together with a wooden spoon until fully incorporated.
Combine the Veggies and Cheese. Scrape the vegetables into the cheese mixture, and stir that all up until well incorporated.
Start Layering. Start off the lasagna layers by adding ½ a cup of marinara sauce to the bottom of your (9×9 inch) baking dish. Layer noodles on top of that, snapping off the ends as needed to make them fit. Then spread half of the veggie-cheese mixture over the noodles.
Add the Next Set of Layers. Now top the previous layers with ¾ cup marinara. Sprinkle with half a cup of mozzarella. Top with more lasagna noodles, and the remaining veggie cheese mixture.
Add the Last Set of Layers. Finally, sprinkle another half-cup of mozzarella, top with more lasagna noodles, and pour another ¾ cup of the marinara sauce on top of the noodles. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella, as well as the grated Parmesan.
Bake! Cover your lasagna with foil, and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil, and bake for 10 minutes more, until the cheese is melted and the top is lightly browned.
Let Stand. Take the finished lasagna out of the oven, and let it stand for 15 minutes before garnishing with basil and serving.