The Best Vegan Lasagna

Introducing the BEST classic vegan lasagna recipe. It’s layered with al dente lasagna noodles, creamy tofu ricotta, vegan meat sauce, and a rich vegan cheese sauce. It’s the perfect decadent and delicious entree to make for holidays or hearty vegan dinners. 

Vegan lasagna is at the top of our list when it comes to the best classic holiday recipes. No one is ever upset to see lasagna on the menu for Christmas dinner, and you won’t regret having lasagna leftovers in the fridge, either! 

This plant-based lasagna is guaranteed to be a hit with vegans and non-vegans alike (just read the comments!). Plus, we’ve included possible substitutions, make ahead options, and additional tips to guarantee you make the best lasagna bake! Be sure to check out our Vegan White Lasagna or Epic Vegan Ravioli Lasagna for another variation.

Ingredients You’ll Need 

• Vegan ground beef and sausage: We have made this vegan lasagna using Beyond Meat, Impossible Beef, and Gardein ground beef, and all worked well. Feel free to use your favorite brand or even omit it entirely for a simple vegan cheese lasagna. 
• Marinara sauce: For this recipe, we like to use our homemade marinara, but you can opt for your favorite store-bought if you are short on time. Most store-bought marinara sauces are naturally vegan-friendly, but some brands add dairy to make it creamy. Always check your labels!
• Vegan ricotta: We can’t recommend our super simple tofu ricotta recipe enough! You can make it at home in the food processor with just 7 ingredients, including lemon juice, herbs, and other kitchen staples. If you are soy-free, opt for an almond-based ricotta like Kite Hill’s Ricotta Alternative.
• Vegan mozzarella shreds: Mozzarella is used in both the filling and the final cheese sauce for topping to make this lasagna extra cheesy. Any dairy-free cheese shreds will do. 
• Flax egg: A flax egg is simply made by combining ground flax seeds and water to form a jelly-like consistency, similar to an egg white. Make sure to use ground flax – whole flax seeds will not absorb the water in the same way. 
• Fresh herbs: For the best flavor, we highly recommend using fresh parsley and basil. With that being said, you can use 4 teaspoons of each dried herb in a pinch. 
• Vegan butter: This helps turn the mozzarella into a pourable, savory cheese sauce. If you are out of vegan butter, substitute 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. 
• Almond milk: Also helps make the cheese sauce smooth and creamy. Any almond milk will do (try our homemade!) – just make sure it is unsweetened. Or, opt for water. 
• Lasagna noodles: We tested this vegan lasagna recipe using no-boil lasagna noodles, and it did not cook through correctly. Please only use classic lasagna noodles and take the extra step to boil them before baking. Note: Most store-bought lasagna noodles are naturally vegan, but fresh or authentic varieties sometimes contain eggs. 

Equipment Needed

• 9×13 deep baking dish
• Spatula 
• Large pot (2)
• Food processor
• Small pot 
• Aluminum foil 
• Whisk

How to Make Vegan Lasagna

1. Prepare the flax egg. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the ground flax seed with 3 tablespoons of water. Set aside for 5-10 minutes or until gelatinous. 
2. Cook the noodles. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the lasagna noodles. Cook according to package instructions or until al dente. Once finished, drain, rinse with cold water, then submerge the noodles in a bowl of cold water. This will stop the cooking process and prevent the lasagna sheets from sticking together. 
3. Prepare the tomato sauce. In a separate large pot, cook the vegan sausage and ground beef over medium heat until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Once browned, add in the marinara sauce and mix to combine. Turn the heat down to low, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes. 
4. Make the vegan cheese filling. Add the ricotta, flax egg, vegan mozzarella, and fresh herbs to a medium-sized mixing bowl and mix until uniform. Set aside. 
5. Layer your lasagna ingredients in the baking dish. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Next, layer 4 lasagna noodles lengthwise in the baking dish, overlapping slightly. Spread ⅓ of the cheese filling on top of the lasagna noodles, then top with ¼ of the sauce. Repeat this process two more times, then add the remaining marinara sauce on top of the final layer of noodles. 
6. Whisk together the vegan cheese sauce for topping. In a small pot over medium heat, add vegan butter and allow it to melt. Once melted, add in the vegan mozzarella shreds and non-dairy milk. Whisk together rapidly until the cheese melts completely and a smooth sauce forms. 
7. Bake. Pour the melted cheese sauce over top of the vegan lasagna, then tightly cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden and bubbly. 
8. Cool and serve. Allow the lasagna to cool in the baking dish for a minimum of 30 minutes before slicing and serving. This will give it a chance to firm up and hold its shape. 

Watch how to make this vegan lasagna step by step in our easy-to-follow video tutorial. 

Gluten-Free Variation 

If you are gluten-free, good news! This vegan lasagna is very easy to make gluten-free. Simply swap the traditional wheat-based lasagna noodles for your favorite gluten-free lasagna. For the most authentic results, we’d recommend Jovial Foods Organic Brown Rice Lasagna. 

Beyond Meats ground beef and sausage products are also gluten-free friendly. If you choose to use another brand of vegan ground beef or sausage, avoid brands that use ingredients like vital wheat gluten or gluten-based binding agents. 

How to Prep and Make Ahead

If you’re making this vegan lasagna for the holidays, you may be interested in prepping it in advance to save time and make things fuss-free. To do so, simply follow steps 1-8, top with the final vegan cheese sauce, and tightly cover. Place the uncooked lasagna in the fridge until you are ready to bake. Then, allow the lasagna to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking as usual. 

For best results, prep your lasagna no more than 24 hours in advance. 

Serving Suggestions 

Vegan lasagna pairs well with our Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad and a side of Vegan Garlic Bread, Garlic Herb Dinner Rolls, or Vegan Pandesal (Filipino Bread Rolls).

Or, if you are serving this lasagna for the holidays, you may enjoy our collection of our favorite 50 Vegan Christmas Recipes.

Storage Instructions

This vegan lasagna will store well and tightly covered in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Use this handy guide by Bon Appetit to learn how to properly freeze and defrost homemade lasagna and other casserole dishes.

To reheat a single serving of lasagna, place the vegan lasagna in a microwave-safe dish and cook until warm. To reheat several servings of lasagna at once, place the vegan lasagna in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil. Cook at 350 F for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through again and bubbly. To ensure the lasagna does not dry out, feel free to add a splash of water or vegetable broth to the dish before reheating.

Recipe FAQs

More Vegan Pasta Recipes You May Enjoy: 

• Vegan Baked Ziti with Ricotta Cheese (Easy + Oil-Free Option)
• Easy Vegan Ricotta & Spinach Stuffed Shells
• Easy Vegan Eggplant Rollatini (Gluten-Free with Oil-Free Option)
• Easy Vegan Chicken Parmesan
• Easy Vegan Penne alla Vodka (Gluten-free Option)

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