Lasagna is an all-time classic comfort food, but not exactly lite.
A pound each of mozzarella, ricotta, ground beef, sausage, and noodles doesn’t work for me.
This lasagna bake is meatless, noodle-less, gluten-free, and uses just 8 ounces cheese for the whole pan. Use vegan cheese to keep it vegan rather than vegetarian.
I won’t say it tastes ‘just like lasagna’ but for me, that’s okay. Lasagna is way too heavy and I’ve never like ricotta anyway.
If you’re looking for an easy family vegetarian dinner that’s lighter, ready in 1 hour, makes planned leftovers, and is also budget-friendly, this one is for you.
The leftovers are even better because the flavors marry and have more time to develop.
To make it, cook the quinoa on the stove, which takes about 15 minutes. I used white quinoa. Use your favorite.
Transfer the cooked quinoa to a large mixing bowl and toss with your favorite jarred or homemade marinara sauce, shredded cheese, a tiny drizzle of olive oil, basil, salt and pepper. I used fresh basil, but dried is fine.
Transfer to a baking dish, bake for about 45 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is golden, and the edges are set.
Dinner is ready in one hour from start to finish. Love that.
It’s hearty and comforting, but in a lighter way so you feel full and satisfied, but not stuffed or in a gluten and grease coma, which can happen after traditional lasagna.
Serve it with a salad or steamed or roasted veggies, and you’re set.
My family loved this and I was happy knowing not only that it was healthy, but that I had leftovers to pack in lunches the next day.
It’s the simple things.
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Lightened Up Cheesy Quinoa Lasagna Bake
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups dry, uncooked quinoa
- 3 cups water
- 2 cups marina sauce, storebought or homemade
- 8 ounces shredded cheese, use your favorite cheese blend; lite/reduced fat/vegan cheese okay, divided
- 2 tablespoons fresh or dried basil, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with water, and heat uncovered over high heat until mixture comes to a boil.
- Turn stove to low or simmer, cover, and cook until all the water has evaporated and quinoa has cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and test a bite.
- While quinoa is cooking, preheat oven to 375F and spray a medium/large baking pan with cooking spray; set aside. I used this pan and recommend a 9×9-inch pan for thicker lasagna, or 9×13-inch pan for thinner.
- Transfer cooked quinoa to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the marinara sauce, about two-thirds of the cheese (reserve remainder to be sprinkled on before baking), 1 tablespoon basil (reserve remainder), olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
- Turn mixture out into prepared baking dish, smoothing it lightly with a spatula and pressing it down gently.
- Evenly sprinkle with reserved cheese and reserved basil.
- Bake for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until cheese on top is golden and edges are slightly set. Baking times will vary based on the exact dimensions of your baking pan and personal preference. Serve immediately. Extra portion will keep airtight in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Tried it with quinoa and it was amazing! Do you think the taste will be the same with couscous??
This lasagna looks absolutely amazing! I am puting in my recipe que for meatless Fridays this year. I am sharing your recipe in a recipe round up on my blog tomorrow. Thanks again for sharing! :)
Thanks in advance for sharing via a linkback and pic (not a full-on recipe reprint) :)
looks right up our alley!
What a great idea for quinoa! Definitely putting this on my menu to try!
Great!
Oh, what a good idea! This looks so satisfying and delicious :)
Brilliant way to easy up on the heavy. (I don’t like ricotta either, it tastes like soggy bits of packing peanuts.)
it tastes like soggy bits of packing peanuts <--- and even if I did like it, after that, I never would :) Totally on-point description!!!
I’m LOVING this lightened up twist here, Averie! You know with my upcoming Cabo trip, I have to cut down on some heavy stuff until then!
I can’t lie I am a big lasagna fan-especially if its a creamy marinara sauce! But this quinoa version looks gorgeous, I have only had a quinoa a few times but seeing you use it like this is making me want quinoa more!!
I’d rather eat this kind of lasagna, then I can eat more…you know, cookies :)
I love quinoa and this is such a creative way to use it. Love having leftovers too – it makes life so much easier.
Great idea, especially as I’m looking for lunchbox ideas at the moment. It’s amazing me how many different things you can do with quinoa!
I am really loving this twist on lasagna!
Amazing comfort food!
What can I say–another wonderful savory dish!! I used a little more of everything so my baking dish was stuffed (planned leftovers)!! I love how this sets up and holds together so well.
So glad you liked it, Paula, and good for you for stuffing your baking dish to the max for planned leftovers!
Perfect way to satisfy a lasagna craving without having to give up the skinny jeans!
You got that right :)
What a healthy alternative to classic lasagna!
This quinoa bakes looks so delicious! I love how it is so much healthier and lighter than real lasagna, and yet it looks so full of flavor and nutrients. Love!
Pinned.