World's Best (Now Vegetarian!) Lasagna Recipe
This plant-based lasagna is a comforting and hearty dish that's sure to satisfy. With layers of rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, it's a perfect vegan twist on a classic favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- cup minced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 8 ounces plant-based hot Italian-style sausage, chopped (e.g. Beyond Meat)
- 6 ounces cooked and crumbled ground meat substitute (e.g. Boca)
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- cup water
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- teaspoon dried basil
- teaspoon Italian seasoning
- teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1 (15 ounce) ricotta cheese
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 12 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 6 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
- Cooking spray
Directions
Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced onion and garlic, then cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes until tender.
Step 2: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, plant-based sausage, meat substitute crumbles, tomato paste, water, 1 tablespoon parsley, sugar, teaspoon salt, basil, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for about 1 hours, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens.
Step 3: In the meantime, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions, about 8 to 10 minutes, until tender but firm to the bite. Drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water.
Step 4: Preheat your oven to 375F (190C).
Step 5: While the noodles cook, mix the ricotta cheese, 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley, the beaten egg, and the remaining teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Stir until well combined.
Step 6: Spread 1/3 of the tomato sauce mixture in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Place 6 lasagna noodles lengthwise on top of the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then top with 1/3 of the mozzarella slices. Spoon 1/3 of the tomato sauce mixture over the mozzarella, and sprinkle with cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
Step 7: Repeat the layers: another 6 noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, 1/3 mozzarella slices, and the rest of the tomato sauce. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Step 8: Coat a piece of aluminum foil with cooking spray and cover the baking dish with it, coated side down. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Step 9: After 25 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 25 minutes until the lasagna is hot and bubbly.
Step 10: Let the lasagna cool for 15 minutes before slicing into 12 equal servings.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 366
- Total Fat: 15g (19% Daily Value)
- Saturated Fat: 8g (40% Daily Value)
- Cholesterol: 57mg (19% Daily Value)
- Sodium: 1026mg (45% Daily Value)
- Total Carbohydrate: 33g (12% Daily Value)
- Dietary Fiber: 4g (13% Daily Value)
- Total Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 27g (54% Daily Value)
- Vitamin C: 11mg (12% Daily Value)
- Calcium: 519mg (40% Daily Value)
- Iron: 3mg (16% Daily Value)
- Potassium: 467mg (10% Daily Value)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Comments
Michele Runge
10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM
Carnivores will never know it was made with Beyond Meat instead! I doubled the sauce when I made it, laid out the ingredients into 3 bread size pans, and froze two of them. When I was ready to use them, I thawed in the fridge all day and popped them in the oven after work. Next time I'll probably add in some mushrooms, spinach and maybe layer in summer squash as well.
SavvyHam6111
08/16/2023 09:43:02 PM
As an Italian American who only eats plant-based meat, I have made this delicious and easy to make recipe several times. I use impossible beef in place of the crumbles and for a special occasion I crumble meatballs (add 1 egg, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup mayonnaise for moisture, minced garlic and onion, basil and oregano, mix and form into balls, and bake at 350 for 30 minutes) which are added with the hot Italian links to my sauce and simmer for at least 1 hr. These meatballs freeze well and have authentic flavor and texture. I don't recommend the pre-made ones that are sold. Whether you use meatballs or crumbled impossible beef, it's important to simmer for authentic flavor. Finally to replace the moisture lost from not using meat, I mix whole milk ricotta with smashed eggplant (1 large or 2 small peeled, sliced in half, salted for 20 minutes, dried with paper towels and broiled at 350 deg 30 minutes, smashed) in the dish. Not only does it add moisture, the flavor balances the slight acidity from tomatoes and elevates the dish to a new level. For holidays, I use the lasagna sheets, but personally I think layers of rigatoni or spiral pasta is easier to make and digest.
joansantalucia2
05/26/2024 06:54:00 AM
The plant based Italian sausage mixed with the plant based ground "meat" was an excellent combination! I browned both before adding sauce. Also added sauteed onions and bell peppers (chopped small) to "meat" sauce mixture, which gave it added flavor and veggies. Also, used 32 oz of Ricotta cheese, instead of 16 oz. Used whole box of Lasagna noodles. Layered in pan: plain sauce, noodles, "meat" sauce mixture, noodles, Ricotta mixture with parmesan added to it, noodles, mozzarella cheese slices, plain sauce, parmesan cheese. This Lasagna was very tasty (also added more spices to "meat" sauce mixture for flavor)! It freezes very well also for later meals, or to have a delicious Lasagna meal quickly by just heating in microwave from freezer! Highly recommend recipe!
MintMelon1521
05/30/2023 04:00:29 AM
Probably the best lasagna I’ve ever had. I followed some tips from previous posts. I skipped the fennel seeds and made more of the sauce. I also made 3 layers of 4 noodles. Turned out amazing!
BlueBear
07/12/2020 12:24:00 AM
This was so delicious! I used Beyond Hot Sausages and Impossible burger meat. I used no-cook-ahead lasagna noodles so added extra water (as per the noodle box) to the sauce before assembling the lasagna. I also spiced up the sauce a bit with flaked red peppers. Definitely a do over. Thanks for the recipe!
NYC liz
10/26/2021 03:13:10 PM
This recipe is SOOO good. I add some spinach just for greens but you certainly dont have to. One caveat which i think is an error. Instead of 2 layers of 6 lasagna noodles I really think it should be 3 layers of 4 noodles. Most lasagna recipes have at least 3 noodle layers. And 6 noodles per layer is a bit much for a 9 X 13 baking dish. So the 2nd time i made it with 3 layers of 4 noodles and it was perfect! I wonder if anyone else noticed this?
kiminvan
12/19/2022 06:02:15 AM
Absolutely delicious.. a few changes I made were that I used no boil noodles.. used shredded mozzarella.. added some small homemade beyond meatballs.. used cottage cheese instead of ricotta.. skipped the fennel.. and your recipe calls for parmesan which is NOT vegetarian.. so we left that out. I could have used a vegetarian parm but didn't have any on hand... but definitely will make again
SStylie
01/11/2023 10:50:17 PM
It was a hit in my family. I used the Impossible sausage instead of the Beyond Meat version
MichelleSatherRealtor
11/20/2021 11:10:56 PM
This is the first review I’ve written after trying a recipe from the internet. I can personally say this lasagna was unlike any I have ever tried. I’m new to vegetarian cooking. Frankly, I’m not much of a cook at all. There’s a 70/30 chance I will screw something up. BUT I NAILED THIS! Best lasagna ever. My carnivorous husband and son. Ate it up. My husband had no idea it was not meat. I asked for his feedback and he said, “it’s the best lasagna you ever made. Only thing I’d say is add more meat “ lol that’s when I blew his mind and said it was vegetarian. Now that’s a recipe we noob vegetarians need! I did cheat on one thing…. I popped open a jar of Foddy marinara because I wanted to top the noodles and keep them from drying out. The recipe sauce mixture was very thick. I think the ratios of layer components were spot on. I’m going to make this as an addition to thanksgiving next week!
Janet
01/12/2023 10:31:25 PM
This was awesome! Definitely will make again. Will probably make a little extra sauce to keep it really moist, but that’s it:) P.S. Vegetarians CAN and DO use eggs and cheese. VEGANS do not…. Seems some on here are a bit confused. 🫤. Thanks for an amazing recipe that is very adaptable to whatever veggies you have on hand:) 👏
KFERG371
01/02/2021 09:59:20 PM
I used Impossible meat and Beyond sausage for this.... doubled the tomato sauce and skipped the fennel seeds.... AMAZING!
Frank Adams
01/08/2025 03:00:31 PM
Bro, flavor overload in the best way.
HotSpoon6762
11/28/2024 05:13:30 AM
I have made this dish over a dozen times for the holidays and it is the best!! But let’s say I made it in advance, what is the best way to reheat the entire dish in the oven the day of?
FairPie4785
04/29/2024 09:13:20 PM
Absolutely delicious.. one of the best lasagnas (vegetarian or not!) I've ever had.
vinnytruong5671
01/20/2022 05:27:42 AM
I literally made an account just so I could leave this review. This lasagna recipe was so nutty holy . I had hotpot with my significant other and I STILL was talking about this lasagna, what the heck. My only regret was not making enough to feed myself for a month. Definitely making this again.
KFERG371
01/02/2021 09:59:20 PM
I used Impossible meat and Beyond sausage for this.... doubled the tomato sauce and skipped the fennel seeds.... AMAZING!
would rather be fly fishing
10/16/2020 09:01:58 PM
Worked out great, going to be my go to lasagna recipe going forward. I did cut the fennel seed in half and it was still a bit strong. Next time I will use just 6-8 seeds.
kdswords
03/28/2020 04:32:10 PM
So good! I didn’t even measure everything and it tasted phenomenal. Everyone had seconds. No one would guess it wasn’t real meat in it either. Delish.