Vegetarian Lasagna with Spinach – Ahead of Thyme

This Vegetarian Lasagna with Spinach is creamy, cheesy, and delicious. This classic Italian dish gets a meatless upgrade in this vegetarian version that is packed with classic Italian flavors: tender noodles, crushed tomatoes, three types of cheese, and fresh spinach and herbs are guaranteed to make this your new go-to lasagna recipe for family dinners.

You won’t miss the meat here! This vegetarian lasagna is incredibly filling and just as easy to make as any other lasagna – only 20 minutes of prep work and an hour in the oven are all you need to get a perfectly browned lasagna on the table and ready to eat. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly too and can be reheated from frozen so don’t worry about leftovers – if there even are any!

Why You’ll Love This Vegetarian Lasagna with Spinach

• The best combination of ingredients. Every ingredient in this dish comes together to create incredible flavors that you can taste in every bite. The spinach, the cheese, the lasagna noodles, and the fire-roasted tomato sauce. The fire-roasted tomatoes are grilled over an open flame to maximize natural sweetness and subtle smokiness. It adds a depth of flavor like no other.
• It is super cheesy. Lasagna is known for layers of creamy, stretchy, and salty cheese – and this vegetarian lasagna delivers! Three different kinds of cheese (Parmesan, ricotta, and mozzarella) create the layers of cheesy textures and flavors that make this lasagna so comforting and delicious.
• Simple preparation. Don’t let the long list of ingredients fool you – the instructions for this lasagna are broken down into easy-to-follow steps and the active preparation time is only 20 minutes, so this is a great meal to make when you want a show-stopping dish without a lot of effort! Plus, it’s easy to make ahead and freezer-friendly!
• Great as a side or an entree. This lasagna is incredibly versatile: it’s perfect when served as a side at a large gathering or potluck and it’s a satisfying entree for family meals at home. It’s sure to steal the show either way!

Ingredient Notes

To make this delicious Vegetarian Lasagna with Spinach, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• lasagna noodles – you can use regular or gluten free lasagna noodles to make this recipe a bit more allergy-friendly. If crunched for time, you can use no-boil lasagna noodles which can be layered in dry.
• vegetables
  • onion – yellow onions are great for lasagna, but you can use whatever kind you have on hand.
  • fire-roasted crushed tomatoes – if you can’t find fire-roasted tomatoes, just use a can of crushed tomatoes.
  • spinach – baby kale or baby chard will produce a similar result if used in place of the spinach.
• cheese
  • ricotta cheese – try Greek yogurt or cottage cheese as a substitute for ricotta if you need one. Note that the texture will be different.
  • Parmesan cheese – Asiago cheese or Pecorino Romano will also work instead of the Parmesan.
  • mozzarella cheese – if you don’t like mozzarella, you can increase the amount of Parmesan cheese used here or try a similar cheese like shredded provolone or cheddar instead.
• seasoning
  • garlic – fresh garlic will give you the best flavor, but you can also use 1 teaspoon of pre-minced in place of each clove of garlic in the recipe.
  • dried oregano – you can also use Italian seasoning or finely chopped fresh oregano for a slightly more intense flavor.
  • sugar – feel free to swap the sugar with your favorite sugar alternative. We just add a little sweetness to balance out the tangy tomatoes.
  • fresh basil – dried basil will work if you can’t find fresh, but the texture will be affected.
  • Italian seasoning – if you don’t have Italian seasoning on hand, you can make your own by combining dried basil, dried oregano, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and dried marjoram.
  • ground nutmeg – freshly ground or pre-ground are both fine for this recipe.
  • salt and pepper
• olive oil – avocado oil has a similar smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a great replacement for olive oil.
• butter – you can use an equal amount of olive or avocado oil in place of the butter in this recipe.
• egg – you can use two tablespoons of aquafaba instead of the egg in this recipe if necessary.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, saucepan, mixing bowl, skillet, and a 9×13-inch casserole pan.

How to Cook the Best Vegetarian Lasagna with Spinach

First, make the tomato sauce.

1. Sauté ingredients.Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and oregano and continue to sauté until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes and sugar. Stir to combine.
2. Simmer. Bring sauce to a boil, then turn the heat down to low. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in basil. Season with salt and pepper.

Then, make the spinach-cheese mixture.

1. Prep the spinach. Use your hands or a cheese cloth and squeeze the spinach to remove excess water. Set aside.

2. Cook. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Add spinach and continue sauté until the spinach is wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.

3. Combine ingredeints. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spinach, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, oregano, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.

Assemble the lasagna.

Cook lasagna noodles. In a large pot of salted water, cook the lasagna noodles until al dente, about 8 minutes or according to package instructions.

Finally, bake the lasagna.

Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake in a 375F preheated oven for 45 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake for 15-20 more minutes until cheese is golden brown.

Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Garnish with freshly chopped basil and Parmesan cheese, if desired, and serve. 

Vegetarian Lasagna with Spinach is delicious and filling meal served on its own, or paired with classic breadsticks and a family-style salad. Some of our family’s favorites include:

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Transfer leftover vegetarian lasagna into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days.

How to Reheat

Reheat leftover lasagna in a casserole dish in a 350F preheated oven for 10-20 minutes until warmed through, or in the air fryer at 350F for up to 10 minutes until warm and bubbly. You can also reheat in the microwave.

How to Freeze

Transfer the entire lasagna (or slices) into a freezer-friendly container and wrap tightly with aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Allow the lasagna to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating or reheat straight from frozen in the oven (adding up to 10 minutes extra to the reheating time).

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This post was originally sponsored by Muir Glen in 2017. It has been completely updated in 2023 with new content and images.