Easy Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe

Looking for an easy vegetarian lasagna recipe? This popular dish is a family favorite and can be prepared in under 2 hours with enough servings for 6 people.

Cooking Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes (preparation + baking)
Servings: 6

Ingredients List

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 500 grams (1 lb) ground beef or meat substitute for vegetarians
• 2 cans of crushed tomatoes
• 1 can of tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 sheets of lasagna noodles, uncooked or pre-cooked (as per package instructions)
• 3 cups of ricotta cheese
• 2 eggs, beaten well
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Parmesan cheese for the top as garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a large baking dish with olive oil.

Step 2: In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté until they are soft but not browned.

Step 3: Stir in ground beef or meat substitute for vegetarians along with salt and pepper. Continue cooking until the meat is cooked through, breaking it up into small pieces if necessary. Once done, add crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce to the mixture; reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and let simmer for about 20 minutes.

Step 4: Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together ricotta cheese with eggs until well combined. Set aside this cheese mixture.

Step 5: Assemble your lasagna: Spread one-third of the meat sauce at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Cover it with two layers of uncooked (or pre-cooked) lasagna noodles, breaking them to fit if needed. Pour another layer of the meat sauce over the noodles, followed by a generous amount of ricotta mixture. Repeat these layers twice more: sauce, noodles, and then finally top off with a final layer of sauce, more noodles, and the remaining cheese (ricotta and mozzarella).

Step 6: Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven for approximately 45 minutes.

Step 7: After removing from the oven, allow it to rest for about 10-15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Tips & Tricks

1. To make this lasagna even more flavorful, consider adding fresh herbs such as oregano or parsley during the assembly process.
2. If you prefer a lighter version of your lasagna, you may replace some of the mozzarella cheese with lower-fat alternatives like part-skim ricotta or light mozzarella.
3. For those who want to reduce the preparation time slightly, precooking the noodles according to package instructions can save time while baking. Alternatively, use pre-cooked no-boil lasagna noodles which eliminate boiling step altogether!

Conclusion

This easy vegetarian lasagna recipe offers a comforting meal that everyone will love. With minimal effort and time spent in the kitchen, you can enjoy this classic pasta dish any day of the week! Whether it's for a family dinner or potluck gathering with friends, it’s always a hit.

Keywords: easy vegetarian lasagna