Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Recipe

4.9 from 7 reviews

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This Mediterranean Lasagna Recipe is the best you will ever taste! It is packed with delicious Mediterranean flavors, perfectly roasted vegetables, a blend of four cheeses, and baked until golden brown. It’s a twist on a classic that the whole family will love!

See this post What to Serve with Lasagna (50 Best Side Dishes) to complete your lasagna meal experience.

mediterranean lasagna after it is baked in the oven with a cheesy top.
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More delicious recipes Classic Italian Lasagna Bolognese with Bechamel Sauce, Simple Steamed Asparagus Recipe, Greek Orzo Salad Recipe, and Authentic Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna with Tomato Sauce.

This hearty meal is pure comfort food and the best vegetarian lasagna recipe ever tasted! The vegetables are tossed in olive oil, lightly seasoned, and slow-roasted to perfection before layering in the Mediterranean lasagna recipe. You already have the oven on for baking the lasagna, so this extra step is easy and worth it!

The perfect blends of cheeses: ricotta, mozzarella, parmigiano, and feta create a cheesy filling while remaining light. This is a great way to eat extra veggies and indulge in a delicious lasagna meal.

one slice of the mediterranean lasagna pulled out from pan with cheese pull.

Simple Ingredients for Mediterranean Lasagna

Easy vegetable lasagna with fresh, healthy roasted vegetables loaded with colorful roasted vegetables and four different kinds of cheese. 

ingredient shot.

Tomato Sauce 

Mediterrarean Lasagna Filling 

  • Bell peppers red, orange, or yellow
  • Zucchini
  • Red onions
  • Eggplant
  • Lemon Zest
  • Dried oregano 
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Baby spinach, kale, or chopped Swiss chard leaves
  • Whole milk ricotta
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Feta cheese 
  • Fresh parmigiano cheese, plus additional for serving
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Pasta 

  • 12 sheets of lasagna noodles 

See the recipe card for quantities.

How To Make Mediterranean Lasagna

You will love how easy it is to make this incredible vegetarian lasagna!

Make the Italian Tomato Sauce (Sugo al Pomodoro) and set aside. 

How to make Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Process- seasoning veggies in a bowl.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. 
Add the eggplant, bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion to a large bowl—season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil and toss to coat.

How to make Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Process- veggies on baking sheet ready to roast.

Transfer the veggies to a large-rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

How to make Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Process- adding all cheeses and lemon zest to bowl.

While the veggies bake, make the filling.

Combine ricotta cheese (remove any excess moisture), 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, feta cheese, 1/2 cup of parmigiano cheese, and lemon zest in a medium mixing bowl.

How to make Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Process- making the ricotta and cheese filling

Mix all the different cheeses and lemon zest until combined. 

How to make Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Process- roasting the veggies on sheet pan until golden brown.

Roast until the vegetables are soft and slightly browned, about 25 minutes.

How to make Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Process- adding fresh spinach to the roasted veggies.

Take out of the oven and immediately add the spinach.

How to make Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Process-wilted spinach after adding to roasted veggies.

Toss with tongs to mix and wilt the greens. Alternatively, using the same method, you can sautee vegetables in a large skillet. 

How to make Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Process- laying the lasagna noodles flat after boiling.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. (skip these steps if using no-boil noodles)
Boil lasagna noodles (6 at a time for dried pasta) until they are tender but still underdone (they will finish cooking as the lasagna bakes). Set the cooked pasta flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. 

How to make Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Process- layering the lasagna noodles on top of the tomato sauce.

Grease a 9X13 (or 8X8) rectangular baking dish with the olive oil, add a 1/4 cup of tomato sauce and spread it around the bottom of the pan.
Put a single layer of pasta (use 4-5 depending on size of the dish). 

How to make Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Process- adding a layer of roasted veggies to the lasagna noodles and sauce.

Top with an even layer of tomato sauce and one-third of the vegetable mixture.

How to make Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Process- adding a layer of roasted veggies to the lasagna noodles and sauce then a layer of the ricotta and cheese mixture.

Top with a third of the ricotta mixture, and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella. 

How to make Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Process- adding. more sauce on top of the layers of lasagna.

Add more sauce and finish layering.

How to make Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Process- adding the final layer of sauce and cheese on the lasagna before baking.

Repeat the layers three times with the remaining ricotta and other ingredients. For the top, cover with remaining mozzarella and parmigiano cheese.

mediterranean lasagna after it is baked in the oven with a cheesy top. Basil leaves as garnish.

Bake until the lasagna is bubbling and the cheese is melted and lightly browned on top, about 35-40 minutes if it gets too brown, tent with aluminum foil. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes (up to 1 hour) before serving. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired. Enjoy!

FAQs

What type of pasta should I use for lasagna?

Lasagna noodles are the best option for making lasagna. They are flat and wide and have a ruffled edge which helps hold the sauce and other ingredients in place.

Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles?

Yes, you can use no-boil lasagna noodles. They are specifically designed for making lasagna and don’t require pre-cooking before baking. However, make sure to use enough sauce and other liquids to ensure the noodles cook properly in the oven.

How many layers should I make in my lasagna?

Lasagna has no set number of layers; it can vary depending on personal preference and the size of the pan being used. A typical lasagna might have three to four layers of noodles, meat or vegetable sauce, and cheese filling.

What types of cheese are typically used in lasagna?

The most common cheeses in lasagna are mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmigiano or Parmesan cheese. Mozzarella is used for its stretchy texture and mild flavor, ricotta for its creamy texture and mild flavor, and Parmesan for its sharp, nutty flavor.

Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta cheese?

Yes, you can use cottage cheese instead of ricotta cheese in lasagna. However, the texture and flavor of the lasagna will be slightly different.

Top Tips

  • The vegetables can be roasted the day before making the lasagna to save time. Or assemble the whole lasagna, cover it, and refrigerate it up to a day before baking.
  • Use whole milk ricotta and mozzarella cheese for the best flavor. That being said. Yes, you can substitute for part-skim versions if you need. The cheese won’t melt as nicely since low-fat cheese contains added stabilizers.
  • Use freshly shredded cheese, not a bag of pre-shredded cheese.  The bagged shredded cheese from the grocery store often contains anti-caking agents and does not melt smoothly. Read more about why you should shred your own cheese.
  • If possible, make your red sauce or pasta sauce (sugo al pomodoro). It takes 20 minutes and is worth the fresh and light flavor. I make mine in large batches and freeze them in containers. I can pull one out whenever I need it for a recipe.

For this recipe, you cook the lasagna noodles before building the lasagna. This creates a more authentic lasagna recipe. However, you can use no-boil pasta lasagna sheets if you are in a pinch. Here is what you need to do for that.

In this recipe, we boil the lasagna noodles in salted boiling water according to the directions on the package, then lay the cooked noodles on a flat surface so they won’t stick together. See this post on how to cook pasta perfectly every time.

cut in slices of the mediterranean lasagna after it is baked in the oven with a cheesy top. Basil leaves as garnish.

Using no-boil lasagna noodles decreases the prep time for homemade lasagna by about 15 minutes. It is a great option to save time if needed. This is the perfect way to do it.

If you use the no-boil variety, add more liquid and cover the lasagna tightly until the end before you brown the cheesy top.

  • No-boil lasagna noodles are often thinner than regular lasagna noodles and are already partially cooked in a water bath before they are dried and packaged.
  • They don’t require boiling but additional liquid to reconstitute them during baking. Adding ¼ cup of water to the sauce adds the extra liquid for the noodles to cook without drying the lasagna.
  • Lasagnas containing no-boil noodles should be tightly covered with a lid or foil during baking so the steam can help cook the noodles. Take off the cover for 5-10 minutes to brown the cheese layer.
Easy Mediterranean Lasagna slice on a plate ready to eat. Fork and knife on the plate.

Variations

This Mediterranean Lasagna Recipe is simply delicious as-is. You can add some of your favorite flavors to customize it. Here are some options for you:

  • Meat: Add meat to the red sauce, such as crumbled and cooked Italian sausage, ground beef, or diced grilled chicken.
  • Whole Wheat Noodles: sub the white for whole wheat for extra fiber.
  • Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables, such as mushrooms, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, spaghetti squash, cherry tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, or carrots. Add to the vegetable mixture before roasting.
  • Greens: You can substitute kale, escarole, or other cooked greens for spinach.
  • Cheese: Add other cheeses such as fontina, provolone, or Pecorino Romano.
  • Kalamata Olives: add a handful of kalamata olives.
  • Spicy: Add a little heat with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the vegetable mixture.

Best Pan for Making Lasagna

This is my favorite pan for making lasagna.

Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions

  • This dish can be assembled up to 6 hours before you bake it. Store it in the fridge until you can bake (about 40 minutes to start) and eat it.
  • In an airtight container, you can store any leftover lasagna in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Easy Mediterranean Lasagna slice on a plate ready to eat. Fork and knife on the plate.

Freezing lasagna is a great way to prepare a future meal without any work!

  • Cool the lasagna completely – this helps prevent freezer burn from condensation.
  • Transfer to a sturdy freezer-safe container and wrap securely with aluminum foil.
  • Freeze the lasagna for 1-2 months.
  • Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Bake as directed.
Easy Mediterranean Lasagna slice on a plate ready to eat. Fork and knife on the plate. One bite taken out with fork holding it.
Easy Mediterranean Lasagna slice on a plate ready to eat. Fork and knife on the plate. One bite taken out with a fork.

What To Serve With This Recipe

Here are a few recipe ideas to serve with Easy Mediterranean Lasagna Recipe. You can also check out this post What to Serve with Lasagna (50 Best Side Dishes).

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Mediterranean Lasagna Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 7 reviews

  • Author: Elena
  • Total Time: 1 hr 15 min
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

This Mediterranean Lasagna Recipe is the best you will ever taste! It is packed with perfectly roasted vegetables and a delicious blend of cheeses. It’s a twist on a classic that the whole family will love!


Ingredients

Units Scale

Tomato Sauce 

Mediterrarean Lasagna Filling 

  • 2 bell peppers red, green, orange, or yellow, diced
  • 2 small zucchini, diced
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium eggplant, peeled and diced
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach, kale, or chopped Swiss chard leaves
  • 1 3/4 cups (450 g) whole milk ricotta
  • 2 cups (225 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup (225 g) feta cheese
  • 1 cup grated fresh parmigiano cheese, plus additional for serving
  • Fresh basil, for garnish

Pasta 

  • 12 sheets lasagna noodles

Instructions

Tomato Sauce 

  1. Make the Italian Tomato Sauce (Sugo al Pomodoro) and set aside. 

Mediterrarean Lasagna Filling 

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. 
  2. Add the eggplant, bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion to a large bowl—season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil and toss to coat.
  3. Transfer to a large-rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and roast until the vegetables are soft and slightly browned, about 25 minutes. Take out of the oven and immediately add the spinach. Toss with tongs to mix and wilt the greens. Alternatively, using the same method, you can sautee vegetables in a large skillet. 
  4. Reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees F. to get ready for the lasagna. 
  5. Combine ricotta cheese (remove any excess moisture), 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, feta cheese, 1/2 cup of parmigiano cheese, and lemon zest in a medium mixing bowl. Mix until combined. 

Cook Lasagna Noodles 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. (skip these steps if using no-boil noodles)
  2. Boil lasagna noodles (6 at a time for dried pasta) until they are tender but still underdone (they will finish cooking as the lasagna bakes). Set the cooked pasta flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. 

Assemble Lasagna

  1. Grease a 9X13 (or 8X8) rectangular baking dish with the olive oil, add a 1/4 cup of tomato sauce and spread it around the bottom of the pan.
  2. Put a single layer of pasta (use 4-5 depending on size of the dish). 
  3. Top with an even layer of tomato sauce, one-third of the vegetable mixture, and a third of the ricotta mixture, and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella. 
  4. Repeat the layers three times with the rest of the ingredients. For the top, cover with remaining mozzarella and parmigiano cheese.
  5. Bake until the lasagna is bubbling and the cheese is melted and lightly browned on top, about 35-40 minutes if it gets too brown, tent with aluminum foil. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes (up to 1 hour) before serving. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired. Enjoy!

Storage: cool completely, cover well, refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze.

Notes

Top Tips

  • The vegetables can be roasted the day before making the lasagna to save time. Or assemble the whole lasagna, cover it, and refrigerate it up to a day before baking.
  • Use whole milk ricotta and mozzarella cheese for the best flavor. That being said. Yes, you can substitute for part-skim versions if you need. The cheese won’t melt as nicely since low-fat cheese contains added stabilizers.
  • Use freshly shredded cheese, not a bag of pre-shredded cheese.  The bagged shredded cheese from the grocery store often contains anti-caking agents and does not melt smoothly. Read more about why you should shred your own cheese.
  • If possible, make your red sauce or pasta sauce (sugo al pomodoro). It takes 20 minutes and is worth the fresh and light flavor. I make mine in large batches and freeze them in containers. I can pull one out whenever I need it for a recipe.

Can I make Mediterranean Lasagna Ahead of Time?

Yes! Here are a couple of tips for you.

  • This dish can be assembled up to 6 hours before you bake it. Store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake and eat it.
  • In an airtight container, you can store any leftover lasagna in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to Freeze Lasagna

Freezing lasagna is a great way to prepare a future meal without any work!

  • Cool the lasagna completely – this helps prevent freezer burn from condensation.
  • Transfer to a sturdy freezer-safe container and wrap securely with aluminum foil.
  • Freeze the lasagna for 1-2 months.
  • Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Bake as directed.

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Savory
  • Method: Italian
  • Cuisine: Italian

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About Elena

My dream is to share delicious wholesome recipes that you will share around the table with all your loved ones. The memories surrounded by food are the heart and soul of CucinaByElena.

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12 Comments

  1. It tasted better than I’d expected! I wasn’t sure about the red sauce and feta combination but wow! I will be making this again!






    1. Yes, I tested the recipe with and without, and I loved the combination and yummy flavor twist. Happy you loved it.

  2. This recipe was AMAZING!! It was the easiest lasagna I have ever made and everyone loved it! I canโ€™t say enough good things about it. The only thing I forgot was the basil which I was very disappointed about because I have a lot of fresh basil in my garden but I canโ€™t wait to make this lasagna again and this time I wonโ€™t forget the basil. Delicious lasagna!!






  3. One of the lasagnas Iโ€™ve ever had. Iโ€™m a big meat eater, but this lasagna hit the spot and itโ€™s vegetarian! Yum.