Loaded Veggie White Lasagna Recipe
A delicious and comforting Loaded Veggie White Lasagna featuring a creamy homemade white sauce, sautéed mixed vegetables, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, all layered with tender lasagna noodles. Perfect for vegetable lovers looking for a hearty meatless Italian-inspired dish.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
White Sauce
- 1/2 cup (113g) butter
- 1/2 cup (57g) all-purpose flour
- 4 cups (946ml) milk
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetable Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped
- 1 (10-ounce) package (283g) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
Cheese Mixture
- 1 (15-ounce) container (425g) ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Assembly
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 3 cups (336g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Prepare the White Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and bubbling. Gradually whisk in the milk to prevent lumps. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce comes to a simmer and thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
- Prepare the Vegetable Filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Add chopped red and yellow bell peppers and zucchini, sautéing until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the thawed and drained spinach along with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Mix Cheese and Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, and the lightly beaten egg. Fold in the cooled vegetable filling until well incorporated.
- Cook the Lasagna Noodles: Prepare the noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of the prepared white sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Place 3 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the vegetable and cheese filling evenly on top. Sprinkle 1 cup (112g) shredded mozzarella cheese over the filling. Repeat the layering with another layer of white sauce, noodles, remaining vegetable filling, and another cup of mozzarella. Top with the last 3 noodles, remaining white sauce, and sprinkle the final cup of mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Cover the assembled lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the lasagna from the oven and allow it to stand for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. This helps the layers to set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. Bake just before serving for best results.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add mushrooms, artichoke hearts, or roasted eggplant to the vegetable filling for extra flavor and texture.
Keywords: white sauce lasagna, vegetable lasagna, ricotta lasagna, vegetarian Italian recipe, cheesy lasagna