Classic Vegan Lasagna

Here's a very classic and traditional lasagna recipe with all of the cheeses and meat sauce -- only, it's all vegan. And it's amazing!

Lasagna has always been a big favorite in our home, and I sometimes experiment with different versions, like this Pumpkin Spinach Lasagna or my Wild Mushroom Lasagna.

As delicious as these recipes are, there's nothing that can quite beat the comfort-food feel of a traditional lasagna with a red "meat" sauce and lashings of vegan parmesan, mozzarella and ricotta cheeses. It's really the most perfect meatless lasagna and that's what I have for you today.

There's no spinach in this vegan lasagna or sweet potatoes or any adaptations that take it away from the classic. It is also a rather easy recipe, although it does involve a few steps because you are making two of the three cheeses yourself -- the parmesan and the ricotta. You can use storebought mozzarella cheeze, as I did, because there are some good options out there in the stores.

I first ate a vegetarian lasagna almost right after I moved to the United States, at the home of an acquaintance who was vegetarian. I was not, but I remember thinking at the time how close the meat substitute tasted to the real thing. In my vegan lasagna, I can guarantee you, no omnivore will miss the meat and the dairy -- unless you tell them. And why would you?

In addition to being delicious, this vegan lasagna is a really filling dish, and since this recipe makes a large pan, you will have enough to feed a group of hungry family members or friends. And that makes it perfect for holiday eats. Or for just anytime eats, because who ever needed an excuse to eat lasagna?

When you pull that bubbling, hot baking dish out of the oven, with the cheese baked golden at the top, people will be gathering around the table faster than you can say "Garfield."

What we love about this recipe

• It's the best vegan lasagna you'll eat. Exactly as you remember it, just meatless, and healthier.
• It's no-fuss.
• It's easy to make ahead.
• You can easily make it soy-free or gluten-free by using soy-free meatless meat and gluten-free lasagna noodles.
• Everything that goes into it is mindblowingly delicious. And it's clean, real food.
• The ricotta and the parm are easily made in the food processor. And you can use them in so many different pasta recipes.
• It's immensely kid-friendly. And adult-friendly. And omnivore-friendly. So if you're feeding all kinds of eaters, here's the food that'll please everyone, and get rave reviews.

Helpful tips for making the perfect vegan lasagna without breaking a sweat

• Make the various elements of the vegan lasagna in advance. You can make the ricotta, parm and the "meat" sauce the day -- or even a couple of days -- before you want to bake your lasagna. Assemble the dish and bake the day you want to serve.
• Make the entire lasagna in advance, cover tightly with cling wrap, and refrigerate for up to five days or freeze for a month. Thaw and then bake as instructed.
• Use no-boil lasagne noodles, if you don't want the extra step of boiling your noodles first. They are easily available now, and I am not above using them to save precious time and effort. You do need to incorporate more liquid in your recipe if using no-boil noodles, so pay attention to the recipe instructions. Also no-boil noodles are shorter than regular lasagna noodles, so you need to layer on more of them.
• If you want to add more veggies to the recipe, you can cut down the meatless meat by half and add a roasted, diced eggplant to your marinara sauce while you are making it. Or add finely diced mushrooms.
• If you don't want to use meatless meat, use lentils instead. Use 28 oz, or roughly two cans, of brown lentils and add them to the marinara instead of the meat.
• Soak the cashews for the ricotta for a few hours so they blend up into the perfect consistency.
• Season your ricotta. This is a great opportunity to add some fresh, herby flavor into your lasagna.
• Use any brand of vegan mozzarella cheese. I usually get the vegan cheese at Trader Joe's or Aldi's, or Daiya when I'm at Whole Foods, and they all work very well in any recipes that call for the use of mozzarella.

The meat sauce is perfectly seasoned and delicious , and you can use it not just in this lasagna but with other pasta dishes as well.

What to serve with the lasagna

You don't need to serve much alongside this classic vegan lasagna, because it's a full meal on its own, but some Garlic Pull Apart Bread and a fresh, green salad are the perfect accompaniments.

Ingredients

• No-boil lasagna noodles (preferred, although you can use regular noodles if you can't find these)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic 
• Vegan meatless meat that's crumbly
• Canned whole plum tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Oregano
• Red pepper flakes
• Vegetable stock
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• Vegan cashew parmesan
• Vegan mozzarella shreds

More vegan pasta recipes

• Vegan Garlicky Pasta with Broccoli Rabe
• Vegan Wild Mushroom Lasagna
• Instant Pot Spaghetti with "Meaty" Marinara
• Vegan Pasta Puttanesca
• Lentil Pasta Salad
• Spaghetti with Brussels Sprouts and Onions

Love this vegan lasagna? Check out more vegan pasta recipes on Holy Cow!