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Vegetarian lasagna is a hearty, comforting dish that combines layers of tender pasta with a rich vegetable sauce and creamy cheeses. This recipe is perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. Here’s how to make a delicious vegetarian lasagna from scratch.
Ingredients
- 6 lasagna sheets
- 1 zucchini (courgette)
- 1 bell pepper (any color)
- 3–5 small tomatoes (for topping)
- 1 cup tomato passata (or canned diced tomatoes)
- Fresh basil leaves
- Chopped parsley
- 100 g grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 small onion (or 3 green onions)
- Olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 125 g ricotta cheese
- 150 g mozzarella cheese (for pizza)
Method
- Finely chop the onion and garlic. Dice the bell pepper after removing the seeds, and cut the zucchini into similar-sized cubes.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan. Sauté the onion and bell pepper for about 2 minutes. Add the zucchini and cook for another 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato passata, basil leaves, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low heat for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Slice the mozzarella cheese into pieces, crumble the ricotta cheese, and grate the Parmesan cheese. Prepare the lasagna sheets according to the package instructions, cooking them for 1 minute less than recommended. Drain and lay the sheets out on a towel to prevent sticking.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F). In a rectangular baking dish, start assembling the lasagna. Pour a bit of sauce on the bottom of the dish, place a lasagna sheet on top, and spread some of the vegetable sauce over it.
- Sprinkle with ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Add another lasagna sheet and repeat the layering process. For the final layer, cover with sauce (add more passata if needed) and top with Parmesan cheese. Optionally, mix Parmesan with breadcrumbs or pine nuts. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Place the small tomatoes on top. Bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes on the lower or middle rack. If the top browns too quickly, lower the temperature by 20°C (36°F).
- Once done, let the lasagna rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this delicious and comforting vegetarian meal with a fresh salad or some crusty bread!