This indulgent Vegan Eggplant Lasagna is made with homemade tomato sauce, homemade tofu ricotta, and grilled eggplant.
A friend recently gave me a bunch of produce, including a beautiful eggplant that was just begging to be made into a recipe. Also included in the produce was a gorgeous red pepper, so I knew that I had to make a recipe using both.
I have had some gluten free lasagna noodles in my pantry for a while now, and I thought it was about time to make a recipe with them. This Vegan Eggplant Lasagna is the result.
I know lasagna can be a daunting task, but you do not have to do every step in this recipe. I personally think it will taste better, but if you are pressed for time, I can understand.
I made my own tomato sauce with some wonderful ingredients, including the beautiful red pepper that I mentioned earlier. If you are short on time, you could buy your favorite marinara sauce.
I also made homemade tofu ricotta, which I would definitely make, because I think it really helps make this lasagna, but again, if you can't fit it into your schedule, there are store-bought vegan ricotta cheeses that would work too.
To make things easier for me, I made the tomato sauce and the tofu ricotta the day before. I do that sometimes - make a recipe in steps. Since I have to do a photoshoot with the meals that I make, I like to make things as easy as possible.
Another eggplant recipe to try is my Vegan ELT Sandwich recipe.
Jump to:
❤️ Why You'll Love It
- It is warm and comforting.
- It is an easy recipe that is hearty and healthy.
- No one will know it is dairy-free, because the tofu ricotta is so good!
🧾 Ingredients
- Eggplant
- Olive oil: For cooking the veggies.
- Onion: Adds a sweet pungent flavor. I used a yellow onion.
- Red pepper: Adds a sweet flavor.
- Tomato sauce: I used tomato sauce and the other ingredients listed here to make my own marinara sauce. You could also use store-bought marinara sauce.
- Fire-roasted tomatoes: Adds a smoky flavor.
- Tomato paste: Adds a concentrated sweetness.
- Basil and oregano
- Salt and pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavor. I like to sea salt.
- Lasagna noodles: I used no-boil gluten-free lasagna noodles. Use your favorite lasagna noodles.
- Tofu ricotta: I used my Homemade Tofu Ricotta recipe. You can use store-bought vegan ricotta as well.
To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
📖 Variations / Additions
- Shredded vegan mozzarella, vegan parmesan
- Store-bought marinara sauce
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, butternut squash, broccoli, or whatever veggies you like
- Vegan crumbles, beans, or walnuts (which I used in Zucchini Lasagna)
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🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Cut off the ends of the eggplant and brush with olive oil.
Step 2: Cook on a grill or grill pan until char marks appear.
Step 3: Heat olive oil in a pan on medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until translucent.
Step 4: Add chopped red pepper. Cook until tender.
Step 5: Add tomato sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.
Step 6: In a 7 ½" x 9 ½" baking dish (or similar size), pour tomato sauce. Place three lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
Step 7: On top of the sauce, place eggplant.
Step 8: Spread tofu ricotta on top of eggplant.
Step 9: Repeat with another layer of noodles, tomato sauce, eggplant, tofu ricotta,
Step 10: Finish with noodles and sauce. Bake in the oven covered for 60 minutes.
Step 11: Let the lasagna rest for about 10 minutes.
❄️ Can You Freeze Leftover Lasagna?
Yes! Let the lasagna cool completely.
For individual portions, slice and wrap in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
🍽 Serving
- Gluten Free Breadsticks Stuffed with Tofu Ricotta
- Vegan Greek Salad
- Tomato Bruschetta
- Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
This eggplant lasagna recipe uses no-boil lasagna noodles. It saves time and is less of a hassle.
This vegan eggplant lasagna recipe will last 4-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Other Vegan Lasagna Recipes
If you tried this Vegan Eggplant Lasagna Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!
What could be more comforting than some vegan lasagna? No one will notice it's dairy-free and gluten-free.
📋 Recipe
Vegan Eggplant Lasagna
Ingredients
Eggplant
- 4 slices of eggplant cut lengthwise that are ¼" thick
- olive oil
Tomato Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ¼ cup finely chopped red pepper
- 15 oz. tomato sauce
- 14.5 oz. fire roasted tomatoes with roasted garlic
- 6 oz. tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- salt and pepper
Lasagna
- gluten free no boil lasagna noodles - I used rice noodles
- Tofu Ricotta (whole batch) or store bought vegan ricotta
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
Eggplant
- Cut off the skin and brush eggplant slices with olive oil and cook on a grill or grill pan until grill marks appear. Flip and grill the other side.
Tomato Sauce
- In a hot pan with olive oil cook chopped onion until translucent.
- Add finely chopped red pepper and cook until tender.
- Add tomato sauce, fire roasted tomatoes with roasted garlic, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.
Lasagna
- Put a small amount of olive oil in a 8x8, 9x9, or 7 ½ x 9 ½ casserole dish. Pour some of the tomato sauce mixture and spread all over pan.
- Place three lasagna noodles on top of sauce, overlapping if needed.
- Spread more tomato sauce on the lasagna noodles
- On top of the sauce place grilled eggplant.
- On top of grilled eggplant, spread tofu ricotta.
- Repeat with another layer of noodles, sauce, eggplant, and tofu ricotta.
- Finish with noodles, and sauce. Bake at 350°F covered for 1 hour, or until noodles are cooked through.
Notes
Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Amanda says
I love using gluten-free no boil lasagna noodles, the eggplant seems like such a great addition!
AvocadoPesto says
Love that this is made with tofu ricotta -- I've always wanted to try making that!!
Everyday Sarah Jane says
This looks great! I always use zucchini to replace the lasagna noodles but I love your idea of using eggplant! Thanks for sharing! XO
Willow Moon says
I made lasagna many years ago using zucchini as noodles, and quinoa as the filling. It was someone else's recipe. I think I would add tofu ricotta to that recipe, because it felt like something was missing.
Everyday Sarah Jane says
Oh quinoa filling sounds great too!!!
Kathy Hester says
This is a fantastic recipe! I love adding eggplant to lasagna.
Melissa says
This looks good. I'm like you and I make everything from scratch but I haven't had lasagne in a while so I'm very interested in trying your tofu ricotta.
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant says
1) I love this recipe 2) gluten free lasagna noodles??? So excited to try. I never make lasagna because...gluten. 3) I want a friend that just gives me amazing produce. Jealous!
Willow Moon says
They are a lot of great companies that make gluten free pasta that you should check out! I love Ancient Grains because some of their pasta is made with lentil and quinoa - so high in protein.
revisfoodography says
I love eggplant and always make Indian curries. This lasagna seems to be a wonderful idea and another lovely way to enjoy my favorite eggplant.
Willow Moon says
It's funny you mention Indian curries. Whenever I go to an Indian restaurant I order Baingan Bharta, which is made with eggplant. I love curries too, but that is my favorite Indian dish.
Mark, CompassandFork says
We have been making our own version of eggplant lasagna for years. Such a filling vegetable and brings real richness to the dish. I will have to try your version of the dish as we are always looking for variations.
khadija says
This might be crazy but i love eggplant so much!! it's crazy. i am going to make this recipe but can i use the normal ricotta (am not vegan and i don't think i can easily find vegan ricotta where am at), the photo is just making me salivate 🙂
Willow Moon says
Of course you can use whatever you want!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
Always looking for a new way to use eggplant. I never liked it before...but LOVE it now. Thanks!!
Willow Moon says
I get that! I have had eggplant in dishes that made me never want to eat it again, and I have had eggplant in recipes that made me want more! It all depends on how it is prepared and cooked!