This Eggplant Lasagna recipe is so cozy and warming! Made with layers of roasted eggplant, savory spinach filling and no-boil noodles.  Keto, GF and Vegan-adaptable! Video.

 Eggplant Lasagna made roasted eggplant, no-boil noodles and topped with Arugula Pesto. A delicious, healthy vegetarian dinner recipe that is comforting and nourishing. #eggplantlasagna

This delicious Eggplant Lasagna is so warm and comforting -it is one of those dishes you actually get kind of excited about the leftovers. I am actually eating the last piece as I type, and feeling a bit sad about it.

After making a big batch last Sunday- it has been nourishing me all week long. Vegetarian comfort food at its best!  We have several lasagnas on the blog- our Spinach Basil Lasagna, our  Vegan Lasagna and our ever-popular Butternut Squash Lasagna – all are super tasty. What I love about lasagna is you can make them in stages, or make them ahead, or freeze them for later!

What you’ll love about this Recipe!

  • It’s light!  It’s hearty, don’t get me wrong- eggplant is filling and “meaty,” but it doesn’t feel overly cheesy or heavy- meaning, it does not put me in a food coma. ( And for more fun ways to cook with eggplant, please take a peek at our 20+ Best Eggplant Recipes.) There are just enough no-boil lasagna noodles to give it structure without completely taking over, making the eggplant the real star of the dish.
  • It’s easy to make!  Roasting the eggplant is probably the thing that takes the most time, but I’ve made it as easy as possible for you. I really don’t think you’ll mind the process. And once that part is done, just assemble and bake.
  • It can be made in stages!  Roast the eggplant a day ahead and frigate. Or if you live somewhere warm, grilling the eggplant is even easier and adds great flavor!
Easy Eggplant Lasagna made with no-boil noodles and topped with Arugula Pesto. A delicious, healthy vegetarian dinner recipe that is comforting and nourishing. #vegetarian #eggplantlasagna #lasagna #healthycomefortfood

The thing that elevates this Eggplant Lasagna is the Arugula Pesto. Yes, of course, you can always use store-bought pesto or your own version of pesto would work fine too. But if you have an extra 5 minutes, make the Arugula Pesto, trust me, you need this in your life. 😉

Eggplant Lasagna Ingredients

  1. Eggplant: The star of the recipe! Slices of eggplant get roasted in the oven until succulent and tender. Roasting eggplant will prevent excess moisture- never use raw eggplant in lasagna or it will be watery.
  2. Marinara Sauce: The flavorful tomato sauce that forms the base of the lasagna. Make our Quick and Easy Marinara Sauce or use store-bought.
  3. Mozzarella Cheese: Add a layer of creaminess and gooeyness. It melts beautifully and complements the other flavors in the dish.
  4. Pecorino (or Parmesan Cheese): This hard, aged cheese is grated and sprinkled over the layers of the lasagna. It adds a nutty, salty taste, and a nice golden crust when baked.
  5. Ricotta Cheese: Another cheese often used in lasagna, ricotta provides a creamy and slightly tangy flavor.
  6. Herbs: Fresh basil or fresh parsley.
  7. Black pepper and Nutmeg: a hint of nutmeg adds beautiful flavor
  8. Optional Arugula Pesto, for the top! Both for color and flavor .

How to Make Eggplant Lasagna

Step one: Prep the Eggplant & preheat the oven to 400F

slicing eggplant

How to cut Eggplant for Lasagna:

Slice globe eggplant, lengthwise, into 1/2-inch thick slices. You can cut them into rounds, but then there are more to manage that way. Place onto 2 parchment-lined sheet pans.

salt the eggplant

Salt the eggplant to release water and remove bitterness.

Sprinkle one side with 1/2 teaspoon salt, turn them over and sprinkle with another 1/2 teaspoon salt – sprinkling as evenly as possible.

Let this sit 15-20 minutes, allowing them to sweat, which removes bitterness, while the oven heats up.

blot the eggplant dry

Blot the moisture that is released from the top side.

Brush or spray with olive oil. Spray olive oil is very handy here-  or if you like butter or ghee, feel to free to melt and brush it on lightly.

spray with olive oil

Then flip them over.  Repeat: Blot and spray.  Easy, right?? 🙂

Roast the Eggplant to prevent watery Lasagna!

Roasting the eggplant ahead prevents the lasagna from becoming watery.  Place the eggplant in the middle of the 400 F oven until deeply golden 30-40 minutes.

roasting the eggplant 400F oven

Roast until translucent and golden. So check them and be intentional here. Undercooked eggplant is never good.

roast the eggplant

Step 2: Make the Filling. While the eggplant is roasting, make the filling. Saute one onion and 4-8 garlic cloves.

make the filling

Add a heaping mound of fresh spinach.

add spinach

Wilt it and season with salt and pepper.

sauce the spinach

Step 3: Mix up the ricotta with basil, nutmeg, egg, salt and pepper.

make the ricotta mixture

Even though I used whole milk ricotta here, it did not feel even remotely heavy – so I recommend using whole milk ricotta.

ricotta mixture

Step 4: Assemble the eggplant Lasagna. Here, I’m using a 25-ounce jar of store-bought marinara sauce. Trader Joe’s Organic Marinara is flavorful as well and this brand or Organic “no-sugar-added” Marinara Sauce made with 100% olive oil and no weird seed oils.

NOTE: If using a no-sugar-added marinara sauce,  it will need a little sweetness- I usually stir in 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup to the jar, otherwise, the sauce can be too acidic.

tomato sauce

Spread 3/4 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a greased baking dish. Use either a 13 x 9-inch baking dish or a 11 to 12-inch  round baking dish.

layer the eggplant

Add the first layer of lasagna noodles.

Add  3/4 cups more sauce.

Then, overlap half of the eggplant.

layer the eggplant lasagna.

Top with half of the ricotta mixture.

layer the eggplant lasagna.

Add all of the spinach filling. It doesn’t look like I added it all here, but I went back and added the rest and forgot to take a picture. Please add all the spinach filling. 🙂

layer the eggplant lasagna.

Sprinkle with 1/2 cup or 3/4 cup mozzarella and a few tablespoons of pecorino (or parmesan).

layer the eggplant lasagna.

Add the second, final layer of no-boil lasagna noodles.

layer the eggplant lasagna.

Cover with 3/4 cup marinara sauce.

layer the eggplant lasagna.

Add the remaining eggplant overlapping.

layer the eggplant lasagna.

Top with the remaining marinara sauce.

layer the eggplant lasagna.

Add the remaining ricotta- yep it will be on the top this time! Sprinkle with Mozzarella and Pecorino.

This is what I’m using:

the cheeses to use in eggplant lasagna -ricotta, mozzarella pecorino

FYI: I do prefer saltier pecorino here versus tangier parmesan. Up to you.

Step 5: Bake the Eggplant Lasagna. Cover with parchment paper and foil (basically, don’t let the foil touch the lasagna) and bake covered until bubbling ( 40-50 minutes), then uncover for the last 10-15 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Step 6: Make the Arugula Pesto.

make the pesto

While the Eggplant Lasagna is baking, make the Arugula Almond Pesto. It only takes 5 minutes and it totally elevates.

A delicious recipe for Arugula Pesto designed to enliven soups, stews, cassoulets, sandwiches and pasta dishes. It's vegan and made with almonds, basil and lemon zest adding a peppery brightness to dishes you are already making! 

When it is done, it will be slightly puffed, golden and delicious smelling – and you’ll feel especially proud of yourself.

Bask in it!

Roasted Epplant Lasagna made with no-boil noodles and topped with Arugula Pesto. A delicious, healthy vegetarian dinner recipe that is comforting and nourishing. #vegetarian #eggplantlasagna #lasagna #healthycomefortfood

It brings me joy just thinking about it. Garnish with the arugula pesto or serve it on the side.

Eggplant Lasagna made with no-boil noodles and topped with Arugula Pesto. A delicious, healthy vegetarian dinner recipe that is comforting and nourishing. #vegetarian #eggplantlasagna #lasagna #healthycomefortfood

Because I can read your mind, let me answer some of your questions. 😉

Can I make the Eggplant Lasagna recipe without lasagna noodles to make it keto or low-carb?

  • Yes.  I would increase the eggplant by roasting off one more. You can also brown some ground meat ( ground turkey, ground beef) with the onions before adding the spinach to “beef it up”. Or add mushrooms!
  • I will say, I do like the structure the lasagna noodles add, especially when using these thin no-boil lasagna noodles, they are very very light. Even cutting back to one layer is an option. 🙂

Can I make Lasagna Gluten-Free?

Can Eggplant lasagna be made ahead?

  • Yes, feel free to make and assemble the Eggplant Lasagna ahead, place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and bake it before serving (bring it to room temp first). It can also baked and frozen for up to 3 months, thawing before reheating.
  • Or make it in stages: Roast the eggplant ahead, make the ricotta mix ahead, and the arugula pesto ahead, refrigerating all. Assemble and bake the day of.
  • It does reheat well also.

Can this be frozen?

Yes, freeze it baked or unbaked in a casserole dish. Thaw overnight, and bake or reheat at 350F until the internal temp reaches 145F and is bubbly and golden.

Can this be made vegan?

Yes, again, probably! I haven’t tried this- but what I would do is make the tofu ricotta recipe, leave out the egg but add the basil and nutmeg.  Use meltable vegan cheese as a substitute. Again, if you try this, please let us all know how it turns out…very curious. 🙂

Eggplant Lasagna made with no-boil noodles and topped with Arugula Pesto. A delicious, healthy vegetarian dinner recipe that is comforting and nourishing. #vegetarian #eggplantlasagna #lasagna #healthycomefortfood

More recipes you will love!

I truly am excited for you to try this Eggplant Lasagna. It’s a beautifully rewarding meal to make on a slower Sunday, and then you’ll get to enjoy the leftovers during the workweek.

A beautiful, nourishing gift to yourself and your family.

xoxoxo

Sylvia

P.S. I used something similar to this 12- inch Clay Baking Dish if you are interested!

Eggplant Lasagna | 60-sec video

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An EASY Eggplant Lasagna made with no-boil noodles and topped with Arugula Pesto. A delicious, healthy vegetarian dinner recipe that is comforting and nourishing.

Eggplant Lasagna Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 132 reviews
  • Author: Sylvia Fountaine| Feasting at Home
  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 75 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x
  • Category: main, vegetarian main
  • Method: baked
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Roasted Eggplant Lasagna made with no-boil lasagna noodles and topped with Arugula Pesto. A delicious, healthy vegetarian dinner recipe that is comforting and nourishing. Vegan and GF adaptable.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 large eggplants (about 3 lbs)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, spray olive oil or ghee
  • ———-
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • one onion, diced
  • 48 garlic cloves, rough chopped
  • 6 ounces baby spinach, about 2 extra-large handfuls
  • Salt and pepper to taste ( 1/4 teaspoon each)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ——
  • 16-ounce tub of whole milk ricotta (or sub tofu ricotta)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup chopped basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • ——
  • 24-ounce jar marinara sauce, about 3 cups
  • 8 no-boil lasagna noodles (or sub- gluten-free lasagna noodles) Feel free to use regular lasagna noodles that have been cooked to al dente.
  • 11 1/2 cups grated mozzarella (or meltable vegan cheese)
  • 1/41/3 cup pecorino (or parm, but I like pecorino better here)
  • 1/41/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)

One batch Arugula Almond Pesto

  • 1 large garlic clove
  • 1/4 cup toasted almonds, pinenuts or smoked almonds
  • 1/2 cup packed basil leaves
  • 1 cup packed arugula
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/31/2 cup light flavored olive oil (make sure oil is not bitter)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (if your almonds are heavily salted, use salt to taste.)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cracked pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 F
  2. Sweat and ROAST EGGPLANT: Slice eggplant into 1/2-inch thick slices and place on two parchment-lined sheet pans. Sprinkle half the salt over the top as evenly as possible. Turn each piece over and sprinkle the remaining salt. Let the eggplant sit (and sweat) 15-20 minutes while the oven gets hot. When the eggplants look damp, pat the top side down with paper towels. Brush or spray with olive oil. Flip them. Blot with paper towels, spray with olive oil. Roast in the middle of the oven for 30-40 minutes, checking at 25 minutes. Roast until golden and tender. Thinner slices will cook faster, thicker slower. Watch your eggplant!
  3. SPINACH FILLING: While the eggplant roasts, make the filling. In a large skillet, saute the onion, over medium heat until. tender about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant. Add the fresh spinach, lowering heat, gently wilting. Season with salt and pepper, chili flakes, turn heat off.
  4. RICOTTA MIXTURE: In a medium bowl, whisk with a fork, the ricotta, egg, nutmeg, basil and salt. Set aside.
  5. ASSEMBLE: Spray or brush a 9×13 baking dish (or 12-inch round baking dish) with olive oil. Place 3/4 cup marina sauce on the bottom, or enough to cover the bottom. Place 1/2 of the no-boil lasagna noodles over top. Spread another thin layer of marinara over the pasta or just enough to lightly coat. Add half the roasted eggplant, overlapping a little if need be. Dot with half of the ricotta mixture. Spoon all of the wilted spinach mixture over the top evenly. Sprinkle with 1/2- 3/4 cup mozzarella and 1/8 cup pecorino. Add 2nd layer of pasta sheets. Lightly cover with 3/4 cup marinara (you’ll need one more layer of marinara for the top, so if it looks like you could run out, water this down a bit here.) Next add the remaining eggplant, overlapping if need be. Smother with the remaining marinara sauce and spoon the remaining ricotta in fluffy dollops over the top. Sprinkle with a few chili flakes,  1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/8 pecorino.
  6. BAKE: Cover with foil (if your lasagna comes to the top edge of the baking dish, cover with parchment first and then with foil) and bake in a 375 F oven for 45-50 minutes, uncover and bake 10-20 more minutes, until golden and bubbling.
  7. While it is baking make the Arugula Pesto – place everything in food processor and pulse until combined, but not too smooth. Add more oil, to make it looser if you like, or less to make it thicker.
  8. The lasagna is done when it is golden, bubbling and slightly puffed in the center.
  9. Let it rest 5 minutes before serving, dot it with  Arugula pesto or serve it on the side.

Notes

Additions: Feel free to add ground meat or mushrooms to the onion mixture to “beef” it up. I find the eggplant is quite filling on its own, but up to you. Just make sure your filling is seasoned and flavorful if adding to it. 🙂

LOW CARB: YES you could leave out the lasagna sheets altogether and use the eggplant as the “pasta” here for a keto version. I would add one more eggplant. I like the structure the lasagna noodles bring, but it’s good without too.

VEGAN: Sub Tofu Ricotta adding basil and nutmeg. Sub meltable vegan cheese.

If using a sugar-free marinara sauce– add 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup to the sauce- otherwise too acidic.

To reheat, let it come to room temp, cover, bake at 350F or 375F oven for 25-30 minutes. Or microwave.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8th without pesto
  • Calories: 371
  • Sugar: 9.5 g
  • Sodium: 722.7 mg
  • Fat: 19.9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Fiber: 8.4 g
  • Protein: 16.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 70.7 mg

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Comments

  1. Cannot find no-cook lasagna noodles. Should I just cook regular lasagna noodles 1/2 way and use them like that??

    1. That would work! You can also pour hot water on noodles (rather then boil) and let sit 20 minutes- then layer into lasagna.

  2. This was delicious. A few steps involved but nothing complicated. Put together, it had a lovely taste and texture, lighter than meat lasagna in a great way. The others at my table, who adore meat lasagna, had not only seconds but thirds and asked me to definitely make again.






  3. I made it today, 17 Sep 2024. Eating it later today for dinner. I’m sure it will be good. I didn’t make the pesto. Ingredients cost $20. Got fresh basil from our garden. I have my Dad’s eggplant parmesan and gravy recipes. My British Mom used to make an awesome lasagna. She learned from my Grandma Siciliano, recipes and cook books.






    1. Beautiful, all the family history and love passed down through recipes- so nourishing! Thanks for sharing Brian.

  4. Hello. I think I understand, but I’m going to ask anyway just to be certain. Reading through your step-by-step pics, you state to use “all” the filling in one step. Are you referring to the spinach part of the process and not the ricotta “filling”? Thank you. Terry

    1. Hi Terry, yes, use all the spinach filling- I made it more clear in the step-by-step photos.

  5. This is a fabulous recipe. I serve it for dinner parties frequently and everyone loves it. I always make it the day before I’m serving it as the flavors improve over time. It’s a fair amount of work, but it’s SO worth it.






  6. Wow! This is such a fantastic recipe! It turned out so good. Those layers of egplant!! So happy I made this. Thank you so much for the recipe!!






  7. This is the best eggplant recipe! I absolutely loved it and the arugula pesto. Question….can it be frozen?

  8. As with all your recipes this looks awesome. We’ve cooked a number of your recipes and loved every one. My husband is unfortunately allergic to tomato (yes a true gastronomic disaster). Is there another sauce that can be substituted?

    1. What about a roasted red pepper sauce? Check out our polenta lasagna recipe- there is a roasted pepper sauce recipe there!

  9. Just made this, added some spicy Thai basil in addition to the sweet Italian basil from my garden. It was sublime!!! Thank you!!!






    1. This is a fabulous recipe!
      Made it again today, its a lot of work but worth it as the first one I made was utterly divine Made it today in a large baking tray, will cut into portions as it freezes really well. Ready made dinners.❤️






  10. I tried the eggplant lasagna including the arugula pesto and it was excellent. So flavorful so delicious and best presentation with the green arugula pesto on top.
    Thank you so much 🙏😍






  11. This recipe is so delicious, and easy. And you’re right, that arugula pesto is the bomb! I want to put it on everything now.

  12. I was waiting to make this with our first round of eggplants from the garden – delicious! I made this vegan with a homemade cashew ricotta and Miyoko’s mozz. Also made it GF – I boiled the noodles for 4 minutes then took them out to dry. Nothing fell apart or got mooshy.
    Instead of spinach, used curly kale from the garden to keep the theme with eating farm-to-table. Don’t pass on the pesto – ours was just a classic basil one, but definitely topped it off.
    This was my second lasagna in my lifetime, and this is definitely manageable for beginners. Thanks for your wonderful recipes!






    1. Oh my goodness Janine, so glad you gave this a try! Thanks for the kind and thorough review.💛

  13. This recipe is killer! Takes a bit of time to put together, but well worth the effort. Tofu ricotta also great recipe for those who need to avoid dairy.






  14. Wonderful recipe. I have tried a few vegetarian lasagne recipes and this one by far is the best. The addition of the ricotta/onion/garlic/basil layer and the dollops of pesto (I used jarred basil pesto) took this recipe to the top of my list. I am new to vegetarianism and have been trying many recipes for the past 6 months trying to learn a new way of cooking without blandness. This is it! On my list. It would be well received by omnivores and vegetarians alike. I did add about 4 cups of mushrooms to the sautéd onion garlic (lots of garlic) mixture and cooked them down before adding the spinach. The addition of mushroom to many vegetarian recipes add the “meatiness” I like as well as a great flavour addition. Thank you for this recipe.






  15. 10/10. It was easy to put together and light and pillowy. The eggplant was so silky after roasting it, we loved it!!

  16. I made this recipe and it was everything you said it would be. Bravo! It was so delicious! Though I found it to be a little more labor intensive than others, it was worth every minute it took to make it. My meat-loving husband was disappointed that it didn’t include meat, but I think it was perfect without it. Next time I will add a little ground pork or beef (or a mixture of the two) just to please him. Thank you for this recipe!






  17. Love this dish!
    I mixed in some ground pork just to satisfy the carnivors I feed and I love adding thickly sliced mushrooms too.
    I’ve made it 3 times now, by request! (In 3 weeks)






  18. This takes longer than expected but wooooowwww delicious!!!
    It’s SO FLAVORFUL. I use homemade basil pesto instead of the other. One of our FAVORITE DISHES. THANK YOU FOR THIS RECIPE






  19. Thank you for this incredible recipe! Deeply delicious, especially with the arugula pesto (highly recommended!). I used gluten free lasagna noodles for our GF friend, and had a multi-veggie green salad with your Italian Dressing (also a winner)! Happy people over here!






    1. I am so happy you enjoyed this Janet! Thank you for circling back and rating it for us.

  20. This lasagna looks so elegant with the bright green pesto on top.

    I substitute half the marinara for vodka sauce. And I use store bought pesto to save on prep time.

    Absolutely delicious and would impress any crowd!






  21. This is a great recipe…I made it with gluten free rice noodles and it was delicious! Roasting the eggplant beforehand gave it such a yummy texture and flavor






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