Meatless Lasagna

 This meatless lasagna recipe adapts from several recipes, linked at the bottom and adds corn starch to the cheese mixture for extra creaminess, courtesy Cook's Illustrated Vegetable Lasagna recipe.

Note: could layer in sauteed spinach or mushrooms or both in here as well.

Ingredients

For the Sauce

• 5–6 cups marinara sauce (store‑bought or homemade)

For the Cheese Filling

• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 15 oz cottage cheese (full‑fat recommended)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tsp corn starch
• Salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg to taste

For the Béchamel

• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp all‑purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk, warmed
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste

Assembly

• 12 lasagna noodles (uncooked)
• 3–4 cups shredded fresh mozzarella cheese³⁴

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Béchamel Instructions

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux without browning. Slowly pour in warm milk while whisking constantly until the sauce thickens, about 5–7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.²

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Cheese Filling Instructions

In a bowl, combine ricotta, cottage cheese, egg, parsley, Parmesan, corn starch, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir until smooth and well blended for optimal creaminess.¹

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Assembly and Baking

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread 1 cup marinara in a 9×13‑inch baking dish. Layer 4–6 uncooked noodles, 1 cup marinara, one‑third of the cheese filling, one‑third of the béchamel, and 1 cup mozzarella.

Repeat layers twice more, topping the final layer with remaining marinara, béchamel, and mozzarella.

Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake 30–40 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest 15–20 minutes before serving.³²

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Citations

1. Ricotta Cheese Lasagna with Marinara Sauce — Familystyle Food
   https://familystylefood.com/ricotta-cheese-lasagna/
2. Homemade Lasagna with Bechamel + Video — Kevin is Cooking
   https://keviniscooking.com/best-lasagna-recipe-bechamel/
3. Easy Lasagna Recipe (with VIDEO) — Natasha’s Kitchen
   https://natashaskitchen.com/lasagna-recipe/
4. Mom's Cottage Cheese Lasagna — NeighborFood
   https://neighborfoodblog.com/cottage-cheese-lasagna/