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Vegan Gluten free Zucchini Lasagna with creamy Tofu Herb Ricotta and Red Lentils! Grain-free, can be nut-free. 15 G of Protein. Can be made ahead. Soy-free optionย Jump to Recipe
Sometimes you need a hearty lasagna, all the layers and fix ins, but less the gluten! This Zucchini Lasagna fits right in.
With layers of your favorite red pasta sauce, some super creamy tofu herb ricotta, zucchini, and red lentils for added texture and protein, this lasagna comes together quickly, needs just 1 food processor. No need to cook the lentils! Just mix them into the marinara sauce or sprinkle them when layering. There is enough moisture to cook them and enough baking time! Make sure to use the split red lentils. Or use veggie crumbles or other vegan meat subs.
Ingredients for this Zucchini Lasagna
- A favorite store bought marinara sauce or herbed pasta sauce or homemade.
- Thinly sliced zucchini
- dried split red lentils for texture and protein. Use cooked lentils if using whole lentils, or use veggie crumbles or other vegan protein additions.
- For the Tofu Ricotta, you need tofu, nutritional yeast, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, almond flour oregano, garlic, basil and spinach.
How to make Zucchini Lasagna with Step Pictures
Make the tofu ricotta in a food processor.
Slice the zucchini and assemble the rest of the ingredients.
Start layering with pasta sauce, red lentils, a layer of zucchini noodles, tofu ricotta, pasta sauce and repeat.
Can I make this Zucchini Lasagna in advance
You can make the tofu ricotta ahead of time. You can assemble the lasagna and freeze(covered nicely to reduce exposed surfac). Freeze for upto 1-2 months. Thaw for an hour then bake when needed
The baked Lasagna can also be frozen for upto a month.
Can I make the lasagna oil-free?
Yes, just omit the olive oil from the tofu ricotta. Saute the pasta sauce in broth.
Can I make this soy-free?
Use my vegan mozzarella cream or alfredo and mix in finely chopped basil and spinach.
Vegan Zucchini Lasagna with Tofu Ricotta (not watery) gluten-free
Ingredientsย ย
- 28- ounce marinara sauce or herbed pasta sauce, or make my recipe linked in the notes
- 3 medium zucchini squash, thinly sliced with a mandolin or knife
- 1/4 cup red lentils, , dry Split red lentils, washed and soaked for 5 mins in warm water if needed
Tofu ricotta:
- 14- ounce block firm tofu, , drained and pressed dry for 10 minutes
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2-3 tbsp lemon juice
- zest of half a lemon , optional
- 1/4 cup almond flour , or omit for nutfree
- 2 tsp oregano
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 4 oz fresh or frozen(thawed) spinach
- Garnish: pepper flakes, ,basil, extra virgin olive oil, vegan cheese shreds
Instructionsย
- Make the marinara if not using store bought. Press the tofu, Preheat the oven to 400 deg F (205 C). Grease a 9 by 9 inch baking dish.
- Make the Tofu Ricotta: In a food processor, add the tofu through pepper and process until evenly blended.
- Add basil and spinach and pulse a few times to incorporate. Taste and adjust flavor with additional salt or lemon.
- Assemble: Spread 1/4 cup or more marinara in the baking dish. then sprinkle 1 tbsp of the lentils. (Alternatively, mix the soaked and drained red lentils in the marinara sauce, and then ladle the sauce in the pan).
- Add a layer of zucchini. Then add dollops of the tofu ricotta and spread evenly. Then add another layer of the marinara (sprinkle 1 tbsp lentils if you didn't mix them in the sauce). Layer with zucchini again and repeat. You can ad other layers such as roasted veggies/mushrooms or veggie sausage etc as well.
- I usually reserve a bit of ricotta for the top layer and swirl it into the marinara sauce, or use dollops of my vegan mozzarella. Add garnishes such as pepper flakes, olive oil and basil.
- Cover and Bake at 400 deg F for 30 minutes, then uncover and continue to bake for another 20 to 35 mins. (Depends on the thickness of the zucchini and the moisture content of the zucchini and pasta sauce). Check with a toothpick if the zucchini is cooked through and there isn't too much liquid on the edges.
- Let it rest for 15 mins, then slice and serve. Store: Cool and Refrigerate for upto 3 days or freeze for upto a month.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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We made this last night and it was so good! I was expecting it to be tedious to make but it was actually really quick. Thank you for making it easy to go vegan!
This was better than I expected. It was perfect and so easy to make. Iโm not a cook and you have mad it so easy for people like me to make a delicious easy meal. thank you!! will share and canโt wait to make this again!
wow โ so inspiring
Made this tonight! So good. Will make again. Thanks for sharing.
Yay!!
GREAT Recipe! Have made this 3 times so far and every time it turns out so well.
Yay
Sooooo delicious!!! My boyfriend, who usually hates anything I make vegan, loved this. You canโt even tell thereโs tofu in it. Make this recipe! You will not regret it! Also super healthy!
Yay
I love this recipe. I have made it many many times. It is hardy and beautiful italian flavors and my hisband loves it too. i double the recipe and bale in 9 x 14 pan and we have it for 2 days some work involved but worth it It is in the oven right now and he keeps asking when will it ready smile. House smells great and it is very cool out today. wanted to comment because i am so grateful for a healty vegan lasagna xo
sounds perfect โ nothing like comfort food
I found it very tasty. The tofu ricotta is so fluffy and light and I much prefer it to real ricotta.
yay! mission accomplished
This was fantastic!!! Iโve made it a couple times now, and it just comes out perfectly and smells heavenly. I like to top it with some black olives. Great recipe, thank you!
perfect . thank you kindly, Iโm so glad that you enjoyed it
Perfect way to use up all my CSA zucchini. Any time Iโm looking for a certain type of recipe I google vegan Richa plus what Iโm looking for and she always has something amazing to offer and exactly what Iโm looking for!
Awesome! Do add a rating when you make again!!
Hi Richa, made this today. The tofu ricotta is delicious but my lasagne was a bit too tomatoe-y perhaps because I used canned tomatoes.
It felt amazingly light and my husband and me could have eaten the whole dish (I made it oil free ) between us. To make it more filling will add lasagne sheets next time and perhaps some more veggies too.
Thanks again for your wonderful recipes.