Four Cheese Vegetable Lasagna
A creamy, cheesy vegetable lasagna layered with spinach, broccoli, carrots, and flavorful cheeses, perfect for a hearty vegetarian main or comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
- 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach ⓘ
- vegetable cooking spray ⓘ
- 2 tsp. vegetable oil ⓘ
- 2 c. chopped fresh broccoli
- 1 1/2 c. thinly sliced carrots ⓘ
- 1 c. sliced onion ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped red bell pepper ⓘ
- 3 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 1/2 c. flour
- 3 c. 1% low-fat milk ⓘ
- 1/2 c. grated fresh Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. 1% low-fat cottage cheese ⓘ
- 1 c. shredded part-skim Mozzarella cheese ⓘ
- 1/2 c. shredded Swiss cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Press spinach between paper towels until barely moist and set aside.
- Coat a Dutch oven with cooking spray.
- Add vegetable oil and heat over medium until hot.
- Add chopped broccoli, sliced carrots, sliced onion, red bell pepper, and crushed garlic; sauté for 7 minutes and set aside.
- Place flour in a medium saucepan.
- Gradually add milk, stirring with a wire whisk until blended.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until thickened, stirring constantly.
- Add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper; cook for another minute.
- Remove from heat and stir in the pressed spinach.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the spinach mixture and set aside.
- Assemble the lasagna layers with cooked vegetables, cheeses, and spinach mixture.
- Bake as directed until bubbly and golden on top.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding herbs like basil or oregano to the vegetable mixture. If you want to lighten it further, replace cottage cheese with ricotta or Greek yogurt. You can also use fresh spinach instead of frozen; just sauté it briefly before adding to the layers. For extra texture, try adding sliced mushrooms or zucchini. This dish is a great option for vegetarian recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this lasagna with a fresh green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Tiramisu(Home Style) for dessert. For added flavor, sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top just before serving, or drizzle with balsamic glaze for a tangy finish. This dish can also be a hearty side for Italian recipes.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F until heated through, about 20-25 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions, covered, for 2-3 minutes or until hot.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Four Cheese Vegetable Lasagna contains roughly 1154 calories, with 43g protein, 130g carbohydrates, and 51g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (86% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (76% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (65% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2304mg per serving (100% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different vegetables in this lasagna?
Absolutely! You can customize the vegetable mix to your liking. Consider using bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms. Just remember to sauté them first to reduce moisture content and enhance their flavors before layering them in the lasagna.
How can I make this lasagna gluten-free?
To make this lasagna gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free lasagna noodles. Ensure that all other ingredients, such as the cheeses and vegetable broth, are also gluten-free. This way, you can enjoy the dish without compromising on flavor.
Can I prepare this lasagna ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare this lasagna a day in advance. Assemble the layers and cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, then refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove the cover and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if it's coming straight from the fridge.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).