Description
A hearty, meatless lasagna layered with caramelized vegetables, spinach, creamy cottage cheese, tangy tomato-basil sauce, and melted mozzarella—perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
½ tsp salt
4 cups baby spinach
1 (28-oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
¼ cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
2 tbsp olive oil (for sauce)
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp salt (for sauce)
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
9 no-boil lasagna noodles
3 cups low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add carrots, bell pepper, zucchini, onion, and ½ tsp salt. Sauté until vegetables are golden on the edges (8–12 minutes). Add spinach in batches and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- For the sauce, blend drained tomatoes, basil, 2 tbsp olive oil, garlic, ½ tsp salt, and red pepper flakes until spreadable (about 2 cups).
- In a 9-inch baking dish, spread ½ cup sauce, layer 3 noodles, half the cottage cheese, ¾ cup sauce, and ½ cup mozzarella. Repeat with noodles, remaining cottage cheese, and ½ cup mozzarella. Top with final layer of noodles, ¾ cup sauce, and 1 cup mozzarella.
- Cover with foil or parchment (avoid touching cheese) and bake for 18 minutes. Uncover, rotate pan, and bake another 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Let cool 15–20 minutes before slicing. Garnish with basil and serve.
Notes
- Swap in seasonal vegetables like mushrooms, butternut squash, or eggplant.
- Make gluten-free by using certified GF no-boil noodles.
- For a vegan version, use plant-based cheese and vegan ricotta alternatives.
- Drain tomatoes well to prevent excess liquid in the lasagna.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of lasagna)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
