Lightened Up Vegetable Lasagna Casserole

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If you want traditional lasagna, this isn’t it. There are plenty of vegetables and cheese included, but no noodles.

Sorry to burst your gluten noodle bubble and all.

Vegetable Lasagna Casserole on green plate

Instead of using pasta, I made the crust and base of the lasagna with grated zucchini and carrots, which I baked for about a half hour, until it crisped up and became a big zucchini-carrot-pancake-like noodle in the base of the pan.

I topped the baked vegetable noodle with layers of sour cream, cheese, salsa, more cheese, and baked it until the cheese turned golden, another 35 minutes or so.

The cheesy surface was so pretty that I couldn’t resist sticking a fork into it immediately upon taking the lasagna out of the oven. I didn’t need that skin on the roof of my mouth anyway but that’s what I get for being the queen of rushing things.

Vegetable Lasagna Casserole on green plate

The middle layers are full of corn and beans because the grocery store-brand salsa I used was very heavy on the corn and beans. And yes, I used salsa in lasagna, and the corn and beans provided heartiness, chunkiness, and texture. I need texture in everything, which is why I am not really a fan of traditional lasagna. All those smooth noodles, smooth sauce, and smooth cheese just does nothing for me.

To confuse tradition even more, I used sour cream rather than ricotta because I loathe ricotta. The texture is an absolute no-go for me. I don’t mind cottage cheese, once a decade or so, but ricotta is a never-in-my-lifetime cheese, and since Scott doesn’t like it either, sour cream was an easy choice.

And since this isn’t traditional lasagna and anything goes, I used a cheese medley rather that solely using mozzarella. I’m such a cheese rebel.

Vegetable Lasagna Casserole on green plate

Skylar has never had traditional lasagna and I’m sure now that whenever someone says they had lasagna, she’s going to think it means a pile of beans, corn, and cheese baked on top of a big carrot-zucchini-pancake-noodle.

She’ll be surprised to learn that most people use noodles in their lasagna. There are worse things than bucking noodle traditions.

Vegetable Lasagna Casserole in baking pan

We had lots of Clean Plate Club members after this meal, and after the dinners the next two nights, because the recipe makes planned leftovers as casseroles and pans of lasagna typically do.

I reheated the leftovers in the microwave for dinner the next two nights, but you can freeze them in single-serving portions in plastic food storage bags or food storage containers and reheat them as your own homemade frozen TV dinner on those nights where making something from scratch isn’t going to happen.

Vegetable Lasagna Casserole in green plate

Look at leftovers or freezer meals as saving you time and saving you money because they help you avoid Dialing For Your Dinner, otherwise known as calling for takeout.

However, the recipe does not make a huge huge pan, just a 9-by-9-inch pan, which is perfect for us. A 9-by-13-inch pan turns into the family turning grumpy because they’ve been eating the same thing over and over, over and over, like the Thanksgiving leftovers that never end. Unless of course I use the freeze-and-stash-for-a-few-months trick on them, and if you want to use that trick, feel free to double the recipe and bake it in a 9-by-13-inch pan.

Vegetable Lasagna Casserole in green plate

As it turned out, Scott wouldn’t have minded a huge pan of this. He said it got better each night, which I find is the case with traditional lasagna as the flavors marry as time passes.

He also said he wouldn’t have known there was zucchini or carrots in it, bu he’s also the same man who was convinced I had put chocolate in the Zucchini Banana Bread when there was no chocolate used. Maybe he has a mindblock for zucchini, which is fine by me since I have more to use up.

Vegetable Lasagna Casserole in green plate

I did, however, notice the zucchini-carrot noodle at the base of the lasagna, and although it’s fairly flavor-neutral, it gives extra chewiness and texture in each bite, and was the perfect resting place on which to pile layers of vegetables and cheese.

The family has requested this version of vegetable lasagna again, and anytime I can make an inexpensive, easy, vegan, gluten-free, makes-planned-leftovers kind of dinner, I am more than happy to oblige.

Vegetable Lasagna Casserole in green plate

Lightened Up Vegetable Lasagna Casserole

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Lightened Up Vegetable Lasagna Casserole

By Averie Sunshine
A healthy, flavorful noodle-less vegetarian lasagna that the whole family will love. A ‘pancake’ of shredded zucchini and carrots is used in place of traditional noodles to help keep this lasagna lighter, healthier, and it helps incorporate every more veggies. Recipe may be doubled and baked in a 9-by-13-inch pan,baking times may need to be increased slightly.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12
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Ingredients  

  • 3 cups coarsely grated zucchini, about 2 medium zucchinis, grated
  • 1 ½ cups coarsely grated carrot, about 1 large peeled carrot, grated
  • 1 teaspoon salt, optional and to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, optional and to taste
  • 1 large egg, beaten (or egg replacer or flax egg)
  • 1 ½ cups sour cream, or Tofutti
  • 3 ½ cups loosely packed shredded cheese, divided (cheddar, American, mozzarella, Ricotta, soy, goat, Daiya, or a favorite cheese blend)
  • one 16-ounce jar salsa

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400F. Line a 9-by-9-inch pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl combine zucchini, carrot, salt, pepper, and pour the egg over the vegetables; toss to coat.
  • Pour mixture into prepared pan, lightly packing it and smoothing it down with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until vegetables begin to show signs of slight browning on top and have firmed up. Depending on how watery the vegetables were, how much salt was added, and how much water they release will dictate baking time. The vegetable crust doesn’t have to be well-done or even very hardened, just not watery and juicy.
  • Spread sour cream over the top of the crust in a smooth even layer.
  • Sprinkle about 2 cups cheese uniformly over the sour cream.
  • Drizzle the salsa (I used a very bean and corn-heavy salsa) uniformly over the cheese.
  • Top with the remaining cheese, about 1 1/2 cups, sprinkled uniformly. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until cheese has browned and top is bubbly and golden. Depending on the kinds of salsa and cheese used, and how browned you prefer your food, will dictate baking times and could cause them to vary widely; let your eyes be your guide and watch for browning.
  • Allow lasagna to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Lasagna can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Leftovers can be served cold or gently reheated.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 221kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 65mg, Sodium: 686mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Do you have a favorite casserole or meal that makes planned leftovers?

I never used to see the beauty in make-ahead meals and leftovers were things that were tolerated and something I ended up with, but never something I set out to make, on purpose.

Even if I didn’t have a family, the “cook once, eat twice” strategy is a good one and leftovers save time and sanity. Knowing I have something in the freezer or refrigerator made and all I have to do is re-heat it, makes the dinner hour so much more sane not having to start from ground zero. If I can rely on planned leftovers a couple times a week, it makes me much more sane.

Feel free to link up your favorite lasagna, casseroles, or easy weeknight dinner recipes.

About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

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Comments

  1. This was DELICIOUS! And so simple to make, which makes it even better. My only question is regarding the tin foil — while slicing and serving the casserole 10 minutes out of the oven, bits of tin foil were coming out along with each piece. Can you recommend a way to avoid this? Because I’d love to make it a family staple!

    1. You don’t have to use foil but I just find cleanup, overall, so much easier with it. I only use Reynolds nonstick foil. It’s more expensive than other foils by a dollar or so a roll, but it’s so much better quality and doesn’t do that and for an extra buck, well worth it!

      So glad you like the lasagna!

  2. Looks fantastically delicious… Do you recall the brand of salsa? I love the abundance of black beans and corn. Also wondered if it was a mild or spicier salsa.

    1. Thanks! Ralph’s grocery store brand. Medium spicy. There are sooooo many jarred salsas out there with plenty of beans/corn. I’m sure you’ll find a good one!

  3. Tonight I hosted pre-Thanksgiving dinner party with the girls. We are in college so budget is tight and stumbling upon this recipe was perfect for our event! Made it and everyone LOVED it! I even came home with an empty pan! Everyone was curious about the ingredients and I even substituted the sour cream with plain Chobani. Huge hit! Can’t wait to make it again! Thank you!!

    1. I love feedback and comments like this! First, glad you tried it and I am very sensitive to being on a budget and not breaking the bank – I write my recipes with that in mind! And loved that you came home with an empty pan :) And that Chob worked in place of the sour cream. Woot!

  4. Tried it, it’s anti-orthodox lasagna, but the taste was magnificient!! Will do it again.
    Thank you, Averie!

  5. Made it…LOVED it! Super shocked my husband ate it and loved it as well, although, he wouldn’t let me tell him what was in it until afterwards. absolutely will make this again and again and again….

  6. I made this last night and it was awesome! I also love that it’s a “method” more than a recipe. Next time I’m going to use Butternut squash and maybe potatoes in the crust? And ricotta cheese because I do like ricotta. Or cottage cheese. And spaghetti sauce instead of salsa, although I love the kick the salsa gave. And maybe cut back on the cheese a little. And maybe add more black beans. So many options!!! What a great recipe thank you so much!!

    1. So glad that you made it and yes, more of a method than a recipe- that’s a perfect way to say it! There are soooo many ways to go with it and things to do with it! I have a recipe coming on Friday this week that’s sort of a play on it with sweet potatoes but you could use squash on that one I have coming, or on the lasagna you just made. Spagh sauce and add sausage, or pizza sauce and add mozz cheese and pepperoni, or add salsa and beans, I mean there are sooo many options. I have a few other ideas pending with the recipe myself :)

      And LOVE your site! And that you’re in S.D., too!

  7. This looks amazing! And I’m so glad it’s good as leftovers and frozen because that is way to much for me to eat in one sitting. (although, I would try!)

    Please tell me you are making a cookbook!

  8. You know I love seeing pics of your cheezy veggie bake. Now this recipes looks and sounds amazing Averie. Hmm, maybe I can get the toddler to eat some veggies if I make this – just smother ’em in cheese! Obsessed with cheese these days that one is. :)

    1. Omg what are the odds that you saw this post?! I haven’t relinked the ole cheezy veg bake in…ages! The memories of when I made that! I had a toddler and you either had 0 kids or were maybe pregnant with baby #1? Wow, life is just flying by! Hope you and the fam are doing awesome xoxo