Lasagna is a beloved Italian classic, and when packed with vibrant vegetables and topped with a luscious béchamel sauce, it becomes an irresistible comfort food that’s both hearty and wholesome. This awesome vegetable lasagna with béchamel sauce recipe combines layers of tender roasted vegetables, fresh pasta sheets, and a creamy, velvety white sauce that elevates every bite.
Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a kitchen newbie, this dish offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will wow your family and guests alike.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility — you can customize the vegetables to your liking and make a béchamel sauce that’s rich without being heavy. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a meatless meal that satisfies cravings and nourishes your body.
Plus, making your own béchamel sauce adds a touch of culinary sophistication and creaminess that jarred sauces just can’t match.
If you love recipes that combine wholesome ingredients with classic techniques, be sure to check out our Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes and Vegetable Lasagna Stouffer’s Recipe Made Easy and Delicious for more inspiration.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This vegetable lasagna with béchamel sauce is a true crowd-pleaser. Here’s why it will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen:
- Rich and Creamy Béchamel: The homemade béchamel sauce adds a silky texture that perfectly complements the vegetables and pasta.
- Loaded with Nutrients: Roasted zucchini, bell peppers, spinach, and mushrooms provide a colorful array of vitamins and minerals.
- Customizable Layers: You can swap in your favorite vegetables or add vegan cheese alternatives to suit your preferences.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it in advance and bake when ready — perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
- Comfort Food with a Healthy Twist: It’s filling and indulgent without relying on heavy cream or meat.
Ingredients
Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|
Lasagna noodles | 12 sheets | Pre-cooked or no-boil noodles |
Zucchini | 2 medium | Sliced |
Red bell peppers | 2 large | Deseeded and sliced |
Fresh spinach | 4 cups | Washed and roughly chopped |
Mushrooms | 8 oz (225g) | Sliced |
Olive oil | 3 tbsp | For roasting and sautéing |
Garlic cloves | 3 cloves | Minced |
All-purpose flour | 4 tbsp | For béchamel sauce |
Butter | 4 tbsp | Unsalted |
Milk | 4 cups | Whole or plant-based milk |
Grated Parmesan cheese | 1 cup | Optional, can substitute with vegan parmesan |
Nutmeg | 1/4 tsp | Freshly grated is best |
Salt & black pepper | To taste | For seasoning |
Fresh basil | 1/4 cup | Chopped, for garnish and layering |
Equipment
- Baking dish (9×13 inches or similar)
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk (for béchamel sauce)
- Mixing bowls
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Oven and stovetop
- Aluminum foil (optional, for baking)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your baking dish with olive oil or butter.
- Prepare the vegetables: Toss the sliced zucchini, red bell peppers, and mushrooms in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized. Set aside.
- Sauté the spinach and garlic: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.
- Make the béchamel sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes to form a roux, stirring constantly to avoid browning.
- Slowly add the milk: Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, to prevent lumps. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle boil, about 6-8 minutes.
- Season the sauce: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese (or vegan alternative), freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble the lasagna: Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Layer 3-4 lasagna noodles on top, followed by a layer of roasted vegetables, then a layer of sautéed spinach, and a sprinkle of fresh basil. Pour some béchamel sauce over the vegetables.
- Repeat the layering: Continue layering noodles, vegetables, spinach, béchamel sauce, and basil until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of béchamel sauce on top.
- Bake the lasagna: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Rest before serving: Let the lasagna cool for 10-15 minutes to set. This makes slicing easier and enhances the flavors.
Tips & Variations
Tip: If you prefer a vegan or dairy-free version, substitute the butter and milk with plant-based alternatives and use vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Feel free to customize the vegetable mix — add eggplant, carrots, or kale for different textures and tastes. For extra protein, consider layering in cooked lentils or crumbled tofu seasoned with Italian herbs.
For a lighter béchamel, you can use almond milk or oat milk and reduce the butter slightly. If you want to speed things up, use no-boil noodles and prepare the vegetables in advance.
Interested in more vegetable-packed dishes? Check out our Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals and Vegetarian Swiss Chard Recipes for Healthy Meals for delicious ideas.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Per Serving (1/8 of recipe) |
---|---|
Calories | 320 kcal |
Protein | 14 g |
Carbohydrates | 35 g |
Fat | 12 g |
Fiber | 6 g |
Sugar | 6 g |
Calcium | 200 mg |
Iron | 3 mg |
Serving Suggestions
This vegetable lasagna pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette to balance the creamy richness. Consider serving it alongside crusty garlic bread or a light soup for a complete meal.
For a festive meal, garnish with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of extra parmesan or nutritional yeast. A chilled white wine or sparkling water with lemon complements this dish perfectly.
Looking for more comforting vegetable recipes? Don’t miss our Vegetable Alfredo Recipes for Creamy, Healthy Dinners and Veg Recipes for Slow Cooker: Easy, Tasty Meal Ideas.
Conclusion
This vegetable lasagna with béchamel sauce is the perfect blend of comfort and nutrition. The creamy béchamel elevates the roasted and sautéed vegetables, creating a dish that’s both satisfying and elegant.
Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, this recipe offers a delicious way to enjoy a wholesome, meatless meal that everyone will love.
By making the béchamel from scratch and layering fresh ingredients, you get a homemade feel that’s far superior to store-bought versions. Plus, the flexibility to adjust vegetables and dairy alternatives means you can tailor it to your dietary needs or seasonal produce.
Try it today and experience the joy of classic Italian cooking with a fresh vegetable twist!
📖 Recipe Card: Awesome Vegetable Lasagna with Bechamel Sauce
Description: A delicious and hearty vegetable lasagna layered with creamy bechamel sauce and fresh veggies. Perfect for a comforting meal that everyone will love.
Prep Time: PT25M
Cook Time: PT45M
Total Time: PT1H10M
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups zucchini, diced
- 2 cups spinach, chopped
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 3 cups whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a pan; sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
- Add mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach; cook until tender. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk; cook until thickened. Stir in nutmeg, salt, and Parmesan cheese.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in a baking dish.
- Layer noodles, vegetables, bechamel sauce, marinara, and mozzarella; repeat layers ending with cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes; remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition: Calories: 420 kcal | Protein: 22 g | Fat: 18 g | Carbs: 45 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Awesome Vegetable Lasagna with Bechamel Sauce”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A delicious and hearty vegetable lasagna layered with creamy bechamel sauce and fresh veggies. Perfect for a comforting meal that everyone will love.”, “prepTime”: “PT25M”, “cookTime”: “PT45M”, “totalTime”: “PT1H10M”, “recipeYield”: “6 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“12 lasagna noodles”, “2 tablespoons olive oil”, “1 medium onion, chopped”, “3 cloves garlic, minced”, “2 cups mushrooms, sliced”, “2 cups zucchini, diced”, “2 cups spinach, chopped”, “4 cups marinara sauce”, “3 cups whole milk”, “4 tablespoons unsalted butter”, “4 tablespoons all-purpose flour”, “1 cup grated Parmesan cheese”, “2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese”, “Salt and pepper to taste”, “1/4 teaspoon nutmeg”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 375\u00b0F (190\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions; drain and set aside.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a pan; saut\u00e9 onion and garlic until translucent.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach; cook until tender. Season with salt and pepper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Gradually whisk in milk; cook until thickened. Stir in nutmeg, salt, and Parmesan cheese.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in a baking dish.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Layer noodles, vegetables, bechamel sauce, marinara, and mozzarella; repeat layers ending with cheese on top.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes; remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until bubbly and golden.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “420 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “22 g”, “fatContent”: “18 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “45 g”}}