This easy broccoli lasagna started as our meatless Christmas Eve dinner, and it is just as perfect for meatless Fridays during Lent or any night you want a cozy, cheesy meal. Tender broccoli is folded into a creamy ricotta filling with mozzarella and Parmesan, then layered with a marinara that gets a splash of heavy cream for an extra rich sauce. Frozen broccoli and no-boil noodles keep things simple, so even a beginner can pull off a vegetarian lasagna that tastes like it took all afternoon. If you have been looking for a cheese lasagna with no meat that still feels hearty enough to satisfy everyone at the table, this lasagna with broccoli is the one to try.
Can I make broccoli lasagna ahead?
Yes! This is a great make ahead recipe that will save you time on holidays or anything you're busy. Simply assemble the lasagna, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add a few extra minutes to the covered baking time since it goes in cold.
Storing leftover broccoli lasagna
To store: Keep leftovers covered tightly with foil or plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat: Warm individual slices in the microwave, or reheat a larger portion covered with foil in a 350°F oven until hot in the center.
To freeze: Wrap the baked and cooled lasagna (whole or in slices) tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Recipe
Easy Broccoli Lasagna (Cheesy Vegetarian Lasagna with Ricotta)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 24 ounces ricotta about 2½ cups
- 20 ounces broccoli florets frozen, thawed, patted dry, and chopped
- 1½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic
- 4½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
- 1½ cup Parmesan cheese grated, divided
- Salt & pepper
- 48 ounces spaghetti sauce we use our homemade but any jar will be fine
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 16 no-boil lasagna noodles
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF.
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, broccoli, Italian seasoning, garlic, 3 cups of the mozzarella, ¾ cup of the Parmesan, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. In a small bowl, combine the marinara sauce and cream.
- Spoon a thin layer of the sauce into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with 4 noodles, a quarter of the remaining sauce, and a third of the broccoli mixture; repeat twice. Top with the remaining 4 noodles and sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining 1½ cups of mozzarella and ¾ cup of Parmesan.
- Bake until the noodles are tender and the sauce is bubbly, 45 to 55 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin 1
Title: Easy Vegetarian Lasagna with Broccoli and Ricotta Board: Recipes & Cooking Description (482): This easy vegetarian lasagna is loaded with tender broccoli, creamy ricotta, and layers of melty mozzarella and Parmesan in a rich, creamy tomato sauce. Every cheesy slice holds together beautifully and tastes like classic comfort food without any meat. Visit the post for simple step by step instructions that make this vegetarian lasagna recipe easy for any home cook, plus tips for making it ahead. Pin this cheesy broccoli lasagna now so it is ready for your next family dinner.
Pin 2
Title: Easy Vegetable Lasagna Recipe the Whole Family Will Love Board: Easy Family Meals Everyone Will Love Description (439): This easy vegetable lasagna recipe is packed with bright green broccoli and a creamy three cheese filling that even picky eaters dig into. The golden, bubbly top and rich tomato cream sauce make it a cozy family dinner that feels like a special occasion. Head to the post for beginner friendly instructions and easy ways to make this broccoli lasagna your own. Save this pin to your dinner board so you can come back to it on a busy night.
Pin 3
Title: Cheesy Three Cheese Lasagna with No Meat Board: Easy Dinner Casseroles Description (457): This cheese lasagna recipe with no meat is layered with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan plus plenty of tender broccoli for a casserole that is hearty and satisfying. The creamy tomato sauce and golden cheese crust make every bite rich, comforting, and family friendly. Visit the post to see how simple this meatless casserole is to make and how to store and reheat the leftovers. Pin it now and keep this easy dinner casserole on hand for busy weeknights.
Pin 4
Title: Meatless Lasagna for a Cozy Christmas Eve Dinner Board: Christmas Inspiration Description (424): This meatless lasagna is a warm, cheesy centerpiece for Christmas Eve, filled with broccoli, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan under a golden, bubbly top. It is festive enough for a holiday table and hearty enough that nobody misses the meat. Check out the post for make ahead tips that free up your oven and your time on a busy holiday. Pin this meatless lasagna recipe now so your Christmas Eve dinner plan is ready to go.
Pin 5
Title: Cozy Broccoli Cheese Lasagna for Chilly Nights Board: Warm Food for Cold Days Description (448): This broccoli cheese lasagna is the kind of warm, bubbly comfort food you crave when the weather turns cold. Creamy ricotta, stretchy mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan wrap around tender broccoli in a rich tomato cream sauce for a hearty, meatless dinner. Visit the post for easy instructions and freezer tips so you can tuck a pan away for later. Pin this cozy lasagna recipe for the next chilly night when you want something homemade and comforting.
Pin 6
Title: Easy Broccoli Lasagna for Busy Weeknights Board: Easy Weeknight Dinners Description (482): This easy broccoli lasagna gives you all the cheesy, saucy goodness of classic lasagna in a meatless version loaded with tender broccoli. The creamy ricotta filling and golden mozzarella topping make it a filling vegetarian dinner the whole family will happily eat. Visit the post for shortcut ingredients and beginner friendly steps that make this lasagna with broccoli doable on a weeknight. Pin this recipe now so you have an easy meatless dinner ready for your weekly meal plan.
Cole says
That looks delish!! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Shawnee says
Saw your link at the Tuesday Toot! OOOOH, I do like broccoli and cheese. Hadn't thought of combining it with lasagna, thanks for the tip.
Blessedwithgrace says
That really sounds great. Happy New Year!!
Lenetta @ Nettacow says
1) This recipe sounds awesome! I linked to it on my weekly roundup.
2) My Catholic family never abstained from meat on Christmas Eve, but I think it's a nice tradition. (Except for the part about him wanting to make something that the rest of you didn't care for :>))
3) My hubs is Lutheran and I'm Catholic, and the spiritual dis-unity can be difficult at times. I pray this isn't the case for you!
4) If you ever want to look up a Catholic tradition, here are a few sites that may be helpful - I'm only getting started digging through them, I'll admit..
http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/
http://www.fisheaters.com/
http://www.catholicculture.org/
Many blessings to your family!
FeelsLikeHomeBlog says
Thank you! We don't have problems with our disunity because he doesn't practice. I'm not affiliated with a denomination, but I do practice. So it works out. We pull things from everywhere. 🙂
Lenetta @ Nettacow says
1) This recipe sounds awesome! I linked to it on my weekly roundup.
2) My Catholic family never abstained from meat on Christmas Eve, but I think it's a nice tradition. (Except for the part about him wanting to make something that the rest of you didn't care for :>))
3) My hubs is Lutheran and I'm Catholic, and the spiritual dis-unity can be difficult at times. I pray this isn't the case for you!
4) If you ever want to look up a Catholic tradition, here are a few sites that may be helpful - I'm only getting started digging through them, I'll admit..
http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/
http://www.fisheaters.com/
http://www.catholicculture.org/
Many blessings to your family!
FeelsLikeHomeBlog says
Thank you! We don't have problems with our disunity because he doesn't practice. I'm not affiliated with a denomination, but I do practice. So it works out. We pull things from everywhere. 🙂