Spinach Mushroom Vegetarian Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
A hearty vegetarian lasagna featuring layers of tender spinach, earthy mushrooms, and creamy cottage cheese filling between pasta sheets. The addition of grated carrots to the marinara sauce adds subtle sweetness and extra nutrition. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or serving vegetarian guests. This version uses cottage cheese instead of traditional ricotta for a lighter texture and protein boost, while the combination of mozzarella and parmesan creates that classic cheesy top layer.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375
- 2
Mix together carrots and sauce in a medium bowl
- 3
Thaw spinach by running hot water over it in a mesh strainer and squeeze out excess water with the back of a wooden spoon
- 4
Mix together eggs, cottage cheese, spinach, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl
- 5
Cook lasagna noodles for approximately 5 minutes until not fully cooked
- 6
Spread a little sauce to cover the bottom of casserole dishes
- 7
Create layers of noodles, sauce mixture, cheese mixture, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese
- 8
Repeat layers one more time
- 9
Bake covered loosely with foil for 20 minutes
- 10
Remove foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbly
- 11
Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving
Tips
Undercook the noodles slightly so they absorb the vegetable moisture during baking for better texture
Squeeze spinach thoroughly to remove excess water - this prevents a watery lasagna
Let the lasagna rest 5-10 minutes after baking for cleaner slices
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days
Assemble completely and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking
Cut into squares and serve hot with garlic bread or side salad
Common Mistakes
Squeeze spinach thoroughly to avoid watery layers
Don't fully cook noodles to prevent mushy texture
Cover with foil initially to prevent over-browning
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble completely and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10-15 minutes to baking time if cooking from cold.
Can I freeze this lasagna?
Yes, freeze assembled unbaked lasagna up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking as directed.
What if I don't have cottage cheese?
Ricotta cheese works perfectly as a substitute using the same amount for similar creamy texture and flavor.