
This meatless lasagna, traditional in southern Italy, replaces meat with creamy ricotta and a blend of cheeses for a lighter yet satisfying dish. I usually make fresh pasta for lasagna, but high-quality store-bought sheets work well if you prefer. The flavors often deepen after a day, and many find it even better reheated.
Buon appetito!
Deborah Mele
Lasagna Magro
Yield:
Serves 6 – 8
Serves 6 – 8
Prep Time:
30 minutes
30 minutes
Cook Time:
1 hour 20 minutes
1 hour 20 minutes
A meatless lasagna that remains hearty and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 2 (28 oz) cans tomatoes (strained or chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
To Assemble:
- 3 cups full-fat ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan or Romano, divided
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
- 8 oz mozzarella, sliced into thin strips
Pasta Dough:
- 4 cups unbleached flour
- 5 extra-large eggs
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Make the pasta: Mound the flour on a large board or clean counter, add the salt, and form a well in the center.
- Break the eggs into the well and lightly scramble them with a fork as you add them.
- Gradually pull flour from the inner edges of the well into the eggs to combine.
- Keep incorporating flour until the egg mixture is no longer runny.
- Use your hands to bring the outer flour inward, forming a large mass.
- Add only enough extra flour to form a soft ball of dough.
- Knead the dough like bread, pushing with the heel of your hand.
- Knead until the dough is smooth and satiny, about 5–7 minutes.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and rest for about 30 minutes.
- Roll the dough with a pasta roller or by hand into long sheets about 1/4″ thick (machine setting around 6 if using an attachment).
- Cut sheets into 12-inch strips, blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds, then plunge into ice water.
- Dry the sheets on clean kitchen towels and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Sauté the onion in olive oil over medium heat until tender.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute, stirring.
- Add the tomatoes, basil, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until thickened.
- Prepare the filling: Combine ricotta, the beaten egg, parsley, and one cup of the grated cheese; season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble the lasagna: Spread about 1/2 cup of sauce on the bottom of a large lasagna pan; add a little water and mix to prevent sticking.
- Arrange an overlapping layer of noodles across the bottom.
- Spoon sauce over the noodles to coat them well.
- Add another layer of noodles and sauce, then spread a layer of the ricotta mixture and top with mozzarella slices.
- Repeat to build a total of five layers.
- On the top layer, cover with sauce, add another layer of mozzarella, and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake in a preheated 375°F oven for about 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes to brown the top slightly.
- Let the lasagna rest 10–15 minutes before slicing so the cheese sets.
Did you make this recipe?
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