Eggplant Lasagna Recipe {Vegetarian Meals} - Savory Simple (2024)

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If you love lasagna but find it too filling (or are trying to cut back on pasta), you need to try this vegetarian eggplant lasagna recipe! Mushrooms add an extra savoriness to the cheesy filling. It’s a great weeknight meal, as well as a good make-ahead option for dinner parties.

Eggplant Lasagna Recipe {Vegetarian Meals} - Savory Simple (1)

I’ll be the first to admit I love a good pasta recipe. This baked butternut squash macaroni and cheese is a personal favorite when fall and winter roll around. But it can be a bit heavy, you know?

Sometimes I want the cozy comfort of a cheesy pasta casserole without feeling like I immediately need a nap after I finish eating. That’s where this vegetarian eggplant lasagna recipe fits in beautifully!

Eggplant Lasagna Recipe {Vegetarian Meals} - Savory Simple (2)

Recipe Ingredients

  • Eggplants
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Mushrooms
  • Garlic
  • Thyme
  • Ricotta cheese
  • Eggs
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Oregano
  • Marinara sauce

How to Make Eggplant Lasagna

  • You can certainly make marinara from scratch if you prefer (myall-purpose tomato sauce would also work). However, I prefer to save time since the eggplant needs to be roasted and the mushrooms need to be sautéed. I’m a fan of Rao’s Homemade, which actually tastes homemade. I wasn’t paid to say that; they have no idea who I am.
  • I used a 9×13 casserole dish, which is deeper than most 9×13 baking dishes (the type you would use for brownies). You want to use a casserole or lasagna pan that’s 2 1/2 – 3 inches deep.
  • You’re aiming for approximately 12-15 slices of eggplant total. The eggplant will shrink as it roasts, and thicker slices mean a more textured lasagna. If you slice thinner than 3/4 inches, the roasting time will decrease, so keep an eye on them. You don’t have to salt the eggplant prior to roasting. More on this below.

Eggplant Lasagna Recipe {Vegetarian Meals} - Savory Simple (3)

Does eggplant need to be salted?

I know I might get a few questions about this, so here’s the quick rundown. You do not need to salt the eggplant before roasting it. It will not impact the flavor or texture. I promise there is no bitterness in this lasagna.

You certainly can take this extra step if you want to; it won’t hurt anything. However, it will add about 30-60 minutes onto the prep time.

Salting eggplant does have one benefit: it will extract some of the water, which can seep out of individual slices a bit on subsequent reheats. It’s a minor annoyance that to me isn’t worth the additional time. It’s not a ton of liquid.

How to Salt

If you want to salt the eggplant before roasting it, here’s how to do so:

  1. Spread out a couple wire cooling racks set over rimmed baking sheets, or place 1-2 large colanders in the sink.
  2. After slicing the eggplant, sprinkle each slice generously with salt (I like to salt the slices on both sides). Leave untouched for 30-60 minutes, until there are beads of water.
  3. Thoroughly wash the salt from the eggplant, and pat dry using paper towels (you want the slices as dry as possible before roasting). Proceed with the recipe!

Eggplant Lasagna Recipe {Vegetarian Meals} - Savory Simple (4)

More Eggplant Recipes

If you like this eggplant lasagna recipe, you should definitely check out my baba ganoush, grilled fairytale eggplant, and Chinese eggplant with spicy garlic sauce!

Eggplant Lasagna Recipe {Vegetarian Meals} - Savory Simple (5)

Print Pin Recipe

Eggplant Lasagna

5 from 6 votes

If you love lasagna but find it too filling (or are trying to cut back on pasta), you need to try this vegetarian eggplant lasagna recipe! Mushrooms add an extra savoriness to the cheesy filling.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian, Vegetarian

Keyword eggplant lasagna

Prep Time 40 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 55 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings (approximately)

Calories 358

Author Jennifer Farley

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 3 large eggplants, sliced lengthwise into 3/4-inch slices (see notes)
  • 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 4 cups cremini mushrooms, coarsely chopped
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped thyme leaves
  • 15 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 2 tablespoons chopped oregano leaves
  • 2 cups marinara sauce (see notes)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

  • Arrange sliced eggplant in a single layer on 1 large or 2 standard sheet pans lined with foil or parchment. Brush both sides using 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast the eggplant until it is soft and golden, flipping halfway through, about 25 minutes total. After removing the eggplant from the oven, lower the temperature to 350 degrees F.

  • While the eggplant is roasting, heat the remaining olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add the mushrooms, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes until soft and fragrant. Add the garlic and thyme, then cook for another minute.

  • In a large bowl, stir together the ricotta, eggs, 3/4 cup parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, oregano, the mushroom mixture, 2 teaspoons of salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

  • Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish using olive oil or cooking spray. Spread 1/2 cup marinara on the bottom. Top with 4-5 slices of eggplant (depending on how large the slices are). You can optionally overlap them slightly. Top with half the mushroom cheese filling, spreading evenly. Top with 1/2 cup marinara, a layer of eggplant, the remaining mushroom cheese filling, a layer of eggplant, and 1 cup marinara. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan and mozzarella evenly over the top. Bake until golden brown for 40 minutes. Allow to set for 20 before slicing.

Video

Notes

You can make the marinara from scratch if you have a recipe you love (this tomato sauce recipe would also work). However, I prefer to save time since the eggplant needs to be roasted and the mushrooms need to be sautéed. I’m a fan of Rao’s Homemade.

I used a 9x13 casserole dish, which is slightly deeper than most 9x13 baking dishes (they type you would use for brownies).

You need approximately 12-15 slices of eggplant total. Keep in mind that the eggplant will shrink as it roasts. Thicker slices mean a more textured lasagna. If you slice thinner than 3/4 inches, the roasting time will decrease, so keep an eye on them. You don’t have to salt the eggplant before roasting. It will not impact the flavor or texture. However, you can choose to salt it beforehand to extract some of the water, which might seep out a bit on subsequent reheats. See my post notes for instructions on how to salt the eggplant.

Adapted from Food Network

Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!

Nutrition

Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 892mg | Potassium: 494mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 905IU | Vitamin C: 4.5mg | Calcium: 534mg | Iron: 1.7mg

Recipe Troubleshooting

For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)

Eggplant Lasagna Recipe {Vegetarian Meals} - Savory Simple (2024)

FAQs

Why is my eggplant lasagna watery? ›

Eggplant won't absorb as much liquid as traditional lasagna noodles do (especially the no-boil noodles that I love), so sometimes eggplant lasagna will turn out a little more watery than a regular version.

What is eggplant lasagna made of? ›

Gather your components: roasted eggplant rounds, grated parmesan, mozzarella, tomato sauce, sautéed Swiss chard, and no-boil noodles. Begin the layering by spreading 1/2 cup sauce into a 9×13-inch pan and topping it with 3 sheets of no-boil noodles. Add another layer of sauce, the vegetables, and cheese; then repeat.

How important is the egg in lasagna? ›

It adds a wonderful texture and flavour to the lasagna. We have received requests to make our lasagna without the egg because it just seems so foreign to some people. That's no problem. We don't mind omitting it; but, if you enjoy authentic food, I would encourage you to give it a chance.

How to keep veggie lasagna from being watery? ›

Cook your vegetables separately.

It's also important not to overload you vegetable lasagna. Having a proper amount of vegetables will help the lasagna maintain its shape, and will keep everything moist, but not watery. As you're creating layers, don't worry if it looks more sparse than you'd think.

Why do you soak eggplant in water? ›

I tend to soak the slices in a bowl of water with a couple of tablespoon of salt for about 30-45 minutes. It doesn't have to do with bitterness, but I find that in doing this, the fried eggplant turns out less greasy," Jenkins says.

Should eggplant be peeled before baking? ›

While the skin of a small young eggplant is edible, the skin becomes bitter on larger or older eggplants and should be peeled. When in doubt, the answer to, "Do you peel eggplant before cooking?" is yes, peel it. Use a vegetable peeler or paring knife to remove the skin.

Is eggplant good for you? ›

An eggplant's nutritional value is that it's low-carb, low-calorie, and a good fiber source. The potential health benefits of eggplants are rooted in their antioxidant content, heart disease risk protection, and more.

Is it better to peel eggplant for eggplant parmesan? ›

The peel of an eggplant is completely edible. However, as the eggplant grows bigger and matures, the peel may become tough and bitter. People often prefer to peel larger eggplants because of this, but smaller eggplants do just fine unpeeled. It ends up being a matter of personal preference.

Why do Italians put boiled eggs in lasagna? ›

The pieces of the hard-boiled egg will add a creamy, rich disposition to the dish's other components, effortlessly blending between the levels of sauce and pasta.

Why do Italians eat eggplant? ›

That eggplant did eventually become a staple in the kitchens of central and northern Italy can be largely attributed to Sicilian Jews who were forced to leave or convert during the Spanish Inquisition.

Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta? ›

Ricotta Substitutes

If you don't have ricotta on hand, here are six totally solid substitutes. Cottage cheese: As far as ricotta substitutes go, light and mild cottage cheese is your best bet. In fact, some people prefer to use cottage cheese because it has a similar flavor and fewer calories.

What can I substitute for 1 egg in lasagna? ›

13 Effective Substitutes for Eggs
  1. Applesauce.
  2. Mashed banana.
  3. Flax or chia seeds.
  4. Commercial egg replacer.
  5. Tofu.
  6. Vinegar and baking soda.
  7. Yogurt or buttermilk.
  8. Arrowroot powder.
Feb 7, 2024

Why do you put milk in lasagna? ›

Milk. It tenderises the meat, to leave you with the most tender ragù.

What if I don't have enough eggs for pasta? ›

There are several things you can use for substitution.
  1. yoghurt - 2 tbsp yoghurt for one egg.
  2. tofu - cut it, use 2 tbsp per egg, blend it well [I assume this means you have to make the dough in the food processor - ed.]
  3. vegetable oil.
  4. buttermilk.
  5. pure water.
  6. gelatine.
Oct 3, 2010

Why is my baked eggplant watery? ›

Eggplant is about 80 to 90 percent water, so when you put them in the oven they need space to evaporate all that water and caramelize properly," says Covarrubias. Give them a toss halfway through the cooking process to make sure they're cooked evenly, too.

How do you cook eggplant without getting soggy? ›

A useful tip to prevent sogginess and greasiness is to salt sliced or diced eggplant and let it sit for an hour.

How do you fix watery eggplant parmesan? ›

It's essential to wait at least 30 minutes before cutting the eggplant Parm or it will ooze out everywhere and seem watery. It needs time to set up after baking. This Eggplant Parmesan tastes even better the next day because it has time for all of the flavors to meld together.

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