Vegetarian Lasagna
I've had a fraught history with lasagna, but I think I've finally figured it out. Hopefully this recipe will help you succeed where I have failed.
What you will need
1 lb. Ricotta
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1 lb Shredded Mozzarella
1 cup Grated Parmesan
1 lb. Lasagna
1 Yellow Onion
1 Eggplant
4 Tbsp Olive Oil
8 oz. Sliced Mushrooms
5 oz. Baby Spinach
25 oz. Marinara
Salt
Black Pepper
(Nutritional facts 165 calories, 9.35 g fat, 11.56 g carbohydrates, 8.98 g protein, 27 mg cholesterol, 431 mg sodium)How to cook
1
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MSZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU2l6ZT0x.jpg)
2
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MiZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU2l6ZT0x.jpg)
3
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU2l6ZT0x.jpg)
4
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9NCZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU2l6ZT0x.jpg)
Place the ricotta in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
5
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9NSZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU2l6ZT0z.jpg)
Add the cream and mix well.
6
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9OCZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU2l6ZT0z.jpg)
Add a little salt and pepper to taste.
7
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MTEmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mg==.jpg)
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella and parmesan.
8
![gna. Pour hot water over the pasta and let it sit for 10 minutes. I used an electric kettle, but using hot tap water should work fine. Give it a little stir after a few minutes to keep the pasta from sticking to itself.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MTMmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mg==.jpg)
Place the lasagna in the baking dish you intend to use to assemble the lasagna. Pour hot water over the pasta and let it sit for 10 minutes. I used an electric kettle, but using hot tap water should work fine. Give it a little stir after a few minutes to keep the pasta from sticking to itself.
9
![e root tip to yield thin arcs of onion.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MTUmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mw==.jpg)
Halve onion through the root axis and remove the peel. Slice parallel to the root tip to yield thin arcs of onion.
10
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MTgmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mw==.jpg)
Cut the eggplant to a medium dice, maybe a little less than 1/2".
11
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MjEmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9MQ==.jpg)
Heat some oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat.
12
![ning to caramelize.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MjImcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mw==.jpg)
Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until the onion is tender and beginning to caramelize.
13
![. Eggplant tends to soak up a ton of oil. Cook until the eggplant begins to soften, maybe 3-5 minutes.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MjUmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mg==.jpg)
Add the diced eggplant. It doesn't hurt to add a little more olive oil here. Eggplant tends to soak up a ton of oil. Cook until the eggplant begins to soften, maybe 3-5 minutes.
14
![until the mushrooms and eggplant are tender.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MjcmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mw==.jpg)
Add the sliced mushrooms. Cook, stirring often, for about 5-10 minutes, or until the mushrooms and eggplant are tender.
15
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MzAmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mg==.jpg)
Stir in the spinach and cook briefly until wilted.
16
![in a thin coat of olive oil.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MzImcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mg==.jpg)
Coat a casserole dish (probably the same one you used to soak the lasagna) in a thin coat of olive oil.
17
![the bottom.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MzQmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9MQ==.jpg)
Now we move into the layering phase. Start with a thin coat of marinara on the bottom.
18
![re they meet.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MzUmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9MQ==.jpg)
Arrange some pasta sheets in the sauce, overlapping the sheets slightly where they meet.
19
![mixture here.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MzYmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mg==.jpg)
Spread a thin layer of ricotta on top. You can use about 1/3 of the ricotta mixture here.
20
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MzgmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mg==.jpg)
Top with about 1/3 of the cooked vegetables.
21
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9NDAmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9MQ==.jpg)
Add about 1/4 of the grated cheese blend.
22
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9NDEmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9MQ==.jpg)
Scatter about 1/3 of the remaining marinara on top of the cheese.
23
![layers (and a total of 3).](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9NDImcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mw==.jpg)
And now repeat: noodles, ricotta, vegetables, shredded cheese for two more layers (and a total of 3).
24
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9NDUmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mg==.jpg)
To top it off, add one final layer of noodles.
25
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9NDcmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9MQ==.jpg)
Top with a final shellac of marinara.
26
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9NDgmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9MQ==.jpg)
And finish with grated cheese. You are now ready to bake.
27
Preheat oven to 400°F
28
![that we don't overcook the top.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9NTAmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mw==.jpg)
Cover the lasagna in foil. The first stretch in the oven will be covered so that we don't overcook the top.
29
![ow the top cheese to brown and crisp.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9NTMmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mg==.jpg)
Bake for 50 minutes, removing the foil after the first 20-30 minutes to allow the top cheese to brown and crisp.
30
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8972374-1635875443022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9NTUmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9MQ==.jpg)
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