Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
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A family favorite: Fresh, healthy roasted vegetable lasagna loaded with colorful roasted vegetables and three different cheeses.
Roasted vegetable lasagna was one of my most requested recipes when I was a personal chef.
Some of my clients were long-term regulars, and each time I cooked for them I’d take care to change their menus.
I wanted to offer families variety while trying to stick to their dietary needs – whether the menu was vegetarian, gluten-free, low-carb or keto.
But, it turns out they would often ask for the same favorite dishes over and over again, and comfort food like vegetarian lasagna was always a hit.
Ingredients for vegetable lasagna
For this lasagna, I used a mix of Mediterranean vegetables:
- Colorful red and orange bell peppers
- Zucchini (green squash)
- Eggplant
- Sweet red onion
- Leafy greens (spinach, kale or chard)
The chopped vegetables are tossed together on a baking sheet with olive oil and salt, then roasted for about 25 minutes.
Besides the abundance of roasted vegetables, what makes this lasagna a standout is the nice balance of pasta, cheese, vegetables and light sauce.
You can eat a serving without needing to take a nap afterward!
This roasted vegetable lasagna was a recipe I made on repeat for one of my vegetarian clients, and now I can say that I know why she liked it so much.
This roasted vegetable lasagne is beautifully loaded with colorful vegetables, satisfying and comforting all at once.
How to make roasted vegetable lasagna
- You can make the fresh cherry tomatoes sauce as directed in the recipe, but feel free to use your favorite sauce instead. You’ll need one quart of sauce to layer with the noodles.
- Mix up the variety of vegetables in the filling according to what you like and have on hand, just be sure you have about four cups total bite-size vegetables that are roasted or cooked until tender.
- Other vegetables to try: mushrooms, leeks, butternut squash, kale or other greens.
- Cool the lasagna for up to an hour before serving. This helps the layers to set, making it much less messy to cut and serve. But if you just can’t wait to dig right in, shorten the cooling time to 15 minutes and enjoy the gooey slices!
- This recipe uses fontina instead of mozzarella. It’s a soft mild cheese that melts beautifully. If you don’t have fontina, use an equal amount of whole milk mozzarella or havarti cheese instead.
Best pan to use for making roasted vegetable lasagna
This recipe makes a square lasagna that serves about 6 – 8 people, baked in an 8 x 8-inch pan.
Depending on what’s handy, I alternate between using a few different pans when I make lasagna:
My favorite ceramic baking dish and a simple square cake pan.
If you want to double this lasagna recipe for a larger crowd, a rectangular baking pan or glass/ceramic dish that’s 13 x 9 inches will do the trick.
For more vegetable recipes and ideas, check out the seasonal vegetable planner.
How to freeze vegetable lasagna
- Cool the lasagna completely – this helps prevent freezer burn from condensation.
- Transfer to a sturdy freezer-proof container and wrap securely with aluminum foil.
- Label and date the lasagna and freeze for 1-2 months.
- Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Bake as directed.
- If you’re freezing and defrosting a baked lasagna, heat at 350 degrees (covered) for about 20 minutes, until heated through.
Related recipes to try
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Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
Ingredients
Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce:
- 2 pounds (900 g) cherry tomatoes
- 2 whole garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt
For Lasagna:
- 1 medium eggplant, peeled if desired, diced
- 2 bell peppers red, orange or yellow, diced
- 2 small zucchini less than 6-inches long, diced
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cups baby spinach, kale or chopped Swiss chard leaves
- 1 pound (450 g) whole milk ricotta
- ½ pound (225 g) fontina or soft havarti cheese, coarsely grated
- 12 sheets no-boil lasagna noodles
- ½ cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese, plus additional for serving
Instructions
To make the sauce:
- Heat oven to 425 ( 220C) degrees. Toss the tomatoes on a large rimmed baking sheet with the garlic, oil and 1 teaspoon salt. Roast until the tomatoes are very soft and slightly browned, about 25 minutes.
- Cool the tomatoes 10 minutes then scrape into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
To make the lasagna:
- Put the eggplant, bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion in a large bowl. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, ground pepper to taste and 1/4 cup olive oil and toss to coat.
- Transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet and roast until the vegetables are soft and slightly browned, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately add the spinach. Toss with tongs to mix together and wilt the greens.
- Reduce oven temperature to 400 (200C) degrees.
- Lightly coat an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with olive oil. Ladle 1/4-cup tomato sauce evenly over the bottom of the pan.
- Make three layers in the pan as follows: 3 pasta sheets, slightly overlapping, topped evenly with 1/3 of the vegetables, ricotta, fontina and 1/4 cup sauce. Finish the final top layer with the remaining sauce and the Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the pan with foil and bake 35 minutes. Take a peek under the foil — if the sauce is bubbling, the cheese melted and the noodles tender, it's done. If not, cover and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and let cool 30-60 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- The vegetables can be roasted the day before making the lasagna to save time. Or assemble the whole lasagna, cover and refrigerate up to a day ahead before baking.
- You can use your favorite tomato sauce instead of making the roasted cherry tomato sauce. You'll need 4 cups sauce (1 quart).
- If you can't wait to dig in and serve the lasagna, let it cool for 15 minutes (instead of an hour) - it won't be completely set but will still taste wonderful.
- The assembled unbaked lasagna can be frozen. Make sure to wrap securely to prevent freezer burn and freeze for 1 or 2 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and continue to bake as directed.
Nutrition
Hey, I’m Karen
Creator of Familystyle Food
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Sorry, but a bit confused- you are
Making this in an 8×8, but it serves 8? So you’re cutting it into 2” by 4” slices? Doesn’t sound like very much, has anyone doubled this?
Hi Kim – The lasagna can be sliced into 8 servings or as large or small as you like. You can also double it if you want to serve a crowd, either in 2 8×8 pans or 1 9×13-inch pan. Click on Print — there’s an option at the top to adjust the serving size.
I’ve made this recipe twice now and it was absolutely delicious- I’m a meat eater but I think this is the best veggie lasagna –
Delicious! Perfect Christmas dish for vegetarians and meat lovers alike. I omitted the eggplant and doctored up the ricotta with egg, fresh chopped parsley, mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Amazingly delicious!!
I’ve made this twice now. Once with jar sauce and once with the roasted tomato sauce with fresh tomatoes from our garden. In that version I also bought the best fresh ricotta available in the specialty cheese section and also I subbed a fresh mozzarella for the fontina. This recipe is the best lasagne I’ve ever made or eaten anywhere. Fresh roasted vegetables elevate the flavors. Thanks also added fresh herbs from the garden mixed in. It was perfect and my guests were in heaven and went for seconds even though they were already full!
Tonya – wow, I want to come over for leftovers!!
This lasagne is delicious! I wanted to try a lighter, meat-free version and this was everything I didn’t even know I wanted. The roasted summer vegetables give it such a unique flavour, combined with the ricotta, it makes it taste amazing. Close enough to a traditional lasagne to hit that comfort food craving but without the guilty food hangover after.
I know it’s a veggie lasagna but can you add a meat to it and have it taste as good.. I’ve made the veggie one and it was awesome but husband likes his meat
Yes, for sure. You can add some shredded cooked pork, beef or chicken. Also ham or prosciutto would be good!
This lasagna looks yummy! I was wondering if you can use regular cooked lasagne noodles. I prefer a veggie lasagna and thinking of all the different kinds of veggies you could use makes me very hungry.
Hi Susan – yes, I think you can use cooked or fresh lasagna noodles too! I hope you enjoy.
First time making lasagna. My daughter loved it! She’s in her first trimester of pregnancy.
Wonderful veggie lasagna! Since discovering this recipe, we’ve been making it often.
Any thoughts on adding mushrooms? I worry that they might be too watery. Have you tried them at all in this?
Hi Alicia – Yes, you can use mushrooms. Brown or portobellos are great! I would slice and saute or roast them separately to release their liquid before adding to the rest of the veggies.
Thank you so much! I’m making this Friday and am SO excited to try it!
This is such a great recipe! I had to modify it a little to suit what was in my fridge, but it was amazing and good and rich even though it’s vegetarian.
Absolutely love this recipe! I am here to make this again but I was having trouble viewing as the pale pink header with the socials links overtook the entire screen on phone, ipad and PC. It was only when I hit the print button that it all disappeared and I can view it. I’ve emailed it to myself just in case it doesn’t work in the future, because I just love this recipe! Thank you!
Thanks for letting me know Ebony! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the lasagna and I will look into the viewing problem.
Wow! I can not believe how amazing this lasagna was. I followed the recipe exactly and it was a huge hit at my house! My 3 young kids all asked for a second serving–my family of 5 ate the entire 9 x 11 in pan in one night. This will become a regular in our dinner rotation. THANK YOU!
Wow Melissa I’m so glad everyone loved it!!
Curious to know if you’ve ever played around with cheese substitutes in this recipe? To make it vegan?
I have not tried a vegan version yet, but it’s totally worth a try!
Why does it need to cool for an hour.
Hi Paula, great question! The lasagna is best cooled so it’s easier to slice into. When it’s hot out of the oven, the layers can be very gooey and kind of messy to slice. But if you just can’t wait, dig right in!
Absolutely DELICIOUS!!!! I will be making this forever! I did make my own ricotta cheese ahead of time! I can’t wait to make this for my husband! A vegetarian meal he’ll be able to agree with ?
Great!! I love that you made your own ricotta, too.
Making it right now and it smells amazing! Can you freeze it?
Hi Alexis – Yes for sure! Let it cool completely and freeze in a covered Pyrex or other freezer-safe container. Enjoy!!
Try gouda
Have you made this with gouda? That’s a great idea. A creamy havarti would be good too.
Hello…I would love to try this recipe…do you have a favorite cheese you recommend to replace the fontina? Thank you so much!!!
Hi Theresa – Yes, you can use a whole milk mozzarella (but not fresh water-packed) instead of the fontina. Hope you enjoy!
I’ve made this twice in the last week. SO. GOOD. The sauce if perfect. I subbed yellow squash for eggplant but otherwise followed it exactly. Thank you!
Yay! So glad you liked it Heather.
This is the best looking veggie lasagna i have seen! Inspiration for my Christmas dinner this year, thanks! -Mere
I want to make this right now (well, I wish I had made it yesterday so I could eat this right now!) XO Liza