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Vegan Gluten free Zucchini Lasagna with creamy Tofu Herb Ricotta and Red Lentils! Grain-free, can be nut-free. 15 G of Protein. Can be made ahead. Soy-free optionย  Jump to Recipe

Our Vegan Gluten free Zucchini Lasagna in a cream baking dish and white plate

Sometimes you need a hearty lasagna, all the layers and fix ins, but less the gluten! This Zucchini Lasagna fits right in.

With layers of your favorite red pasta sauce, some super creamy tofu herb ricotta, zucchini, and red lentils for added texture and protein, this lasagna comes together quickly, needs just 1 food processor. No need to cook the lentils! Just mix them into the marinara sauce or sprinkle them when layering. There is enough moisture to cook them and enough baking time! Make sure to use the split red lentils. Or use veggie crumbles or other vegan meat subs.

Zucchini Lasagna in a white plate

Ingredients for this Zucchini Lasagna

  • A favorite store bought marinara sauce or herbed pasta sauce or homemade.
  • Thinly sliced zucchini
  • dried split red lentils for texture and protein. Use cooked lentils if using whole lentils, or use veggie crumbles or other vegan protein additions.
  • For the Tofu Ricotta, you need tofu, nutritional yeast, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, almond flour oregano, garlic, basil and spinach.

How to make Zucchini Lasagna with Step Pictures

Make the tofu ricotta in a food processor.

Tofu Ricotta for our Zucchini Lasagna

Slice the zucchini and assemble the rest of the ingredients.

Ingredients for Our Vegan Gluten free Zucchini Lasagna in bowls

Start layering with pasta sauce, red lentils, a layer of zucchini noodles, tofu ricotta, pasta sauce and repeat.

Layering Our Vegan Gluten free Zucchini Lasagna in a cream baking dish

Layering the tofu ricotta on Our Vegan Gluten free Zucchini Lasagna in a cream baking dish

Layering Our Vegan Gluten free Zucchini Lasagna in a cream baking dish

Our Vegan Gluten free Zucchini Lasagna in a cream baking dish

Can I make this Zucchini Lasagna in advance

You can make the tofu ricotta ahead of time. You can assemble the lasagna and freeze(covered nicely to reduce exposed surfac). Freeze for upto 1-2 months. Thaw for an hour then bake when needed

The baked Lasagna can also be frozen for upto a month.

Can I make the lasagna oil-free?

Yes, just omit the olive oil from the tofu ricotta. Saute the pasta sauce in broth.

Can I make this soy-free?

Use my vegan mozzarella cream or alfredo and mix in finely chopped basil and spinach.

Our Vegan Gluten free Zucchini Lasagna in a cream baking dish

Vegan Zucchini Lasagna with Tofu Ricotta (not watery) gluten-free

4.98 from 38 votes
By: Vegan Richa
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Vegan Gluten free Zucchini Lasagna with creamy Tofu Herb Ricotta and Red Lentils! Grain-free, can be nut-free. 15 G of Protein. Can be made ahead. Makes a 9 by 9 inch baking dish.

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Ingredients  

  • 28- ounce marinara sauce or herbed pasta sauce, or make my recipe linked in the notes
  • 3 medium zucchini squash, thinly sliced with a mandolin or knife
  • 1/4 cup red lentils, , dry Split red lentils, washed and soaked for 5 mins in warm water if needed

Tofu ricotta:

  • 14- ounce block firm tofu, , drained and pressed dry for 10 minutes
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 2-3 tbsp lemon juice
  • zest of half a lemon , optional
  • 1/4 cup almond flour , or omit for nutfree
  • 2 tsp oregano
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil
  • 4 oz fresh or frozen(thawed) spinach
  • Garnish: pepper flakes, ,basil, extra virgin olive oil, vegan cheese shreds

Instructions 

  • Make the marinara if not using store bought. Press the tofu, Preheat the oven to 400 deg F (205 C). Grease a 9 by 9 inch baking dish.
  • Make the Tofu Ricotta: In a food processor, add the tofu through pepper and process until evenly blended.
  • Add basil and spinach and pulse a few times to incorporate. Taste and adjust flavor with additional salt or lemon.
  • Assemble: Spread 1/4 cup or more marinara in the baking dish. then sprinkle 1 tbsp of the lentils. (Alternatively, mix the soaked and drained red lentils in the marinara sauce, and then ladle the sauce in the pan).
  • Add a layer of zucchini. Then add dollops of the tofu ricotta and spread evenly. Then add another layer of the marinara (sprinkle 1 tbsp lentils if you didn't mix them in the sauce). Layer with zucchini again and repeat. You can ad other layers such as roasted veggies/mushrooms or veggie sausage etc as well.
  • I usually reserve a bit of ricotta for the top layer and swirl it into the marinara sauce, or use dollops of my vegan mozzarella. Add garnishes such as pepper flakes, olive oil and basil.
  • Cover and Bake at 400 deg F for 30 minutes, then uncover and continue to bake for another 20 to 35 mins. (Depends on the thickness of the zucchini and the moisture content of the zucchini and pasta sauce). Check with a toothpick if the zucchini is cooked through and there isn't too much liquid on the edges.
  • Let it rest for 15 mins, then slice and serve.
    Store: Cool and Refrigerate for upto 3 days or freeze for upto a month.

Video

Notes

Make your own marinara. Double this recipe.
For soyfree: Use my vegan mozzarella cream or alfredo and mix in basil and spinach.ย 
Dried split red lentils substitute: Use 1 to 1.5 cup cooked lentils if using whole lentils, or use veggie crumbles or other vegan protein additions.
Tips for non watery lasagna,
1. Slice the zucchini as thin as possible. 2. Use dried split red lentils that will absorb the excess moisture that leaks during baking.ย 
Nutrition is for 1 of 6 slices

Nutrition

Calories: 199.65kcal, Carbohydrates: 20.65g, Protein: 14.34g, Fat: 8.47g, Saturated Fat: 0.97g, Sodium: 416.49mg, Potassium: 954.17mg, Fiber: 7.92g, Sugar: 8.83g, Vitamin A: 2605.16IU, Vitamin C: 34.87mg, Calcium: 162.5mg, Iron: 4.26mg

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

Did you make this recipe? Rate and comment below!

 

About Richa

Hi, I'm Richa! I create flavorful plant based recipes that are inspired by my Indian upbringing, including many gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free options.

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4.98 from 38 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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83 Comments

  1. BellaCiclista says:

    5 stars
    Really delicious and easy to make. We added more lentils, though, and next time Iโ€™m going to try layering in extra spinach. Thank you for all your recipes!

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      So glad you liked it!

  2. Boston Vegan says:

    5 stars
    Richa, this was outstanding! Thanks for sharing this recipe; I’ll definitely make it again.

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      I’m glad you enjoyed it!

  3. Georgette says:

    5 stars
    I’m one of your biggest fans. Made it last night. One of the few recipes that when made actually looks like the authors (not specifically yours)! LOLOL

    It was perfect. I used my own garden tomato sauce ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      Thank you for making my recipes!