Lazy Lasagna (One-Pot, Vegetarian) — Easy No-Layer Recipe - THE VEGAN | Plant-based Protein

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Comfort-food cravings, meet no-fuss cooking: this one-pot vegetarian lazy lasagna skips the traditional layering and heavy prep so you can enjoy all the cheesy, comforting goodness of lasagna with zero fuss. Ready in about an hour, it’s the perfect go-to for busy weeknights. Wholesome, warming, and delicious.

Lazy Lasagna: The Easiest One-Pot Vegetarian Recipe

If you love the comfort of a bubbling, cheesy lasagna but can’t always face the layering, the faff or the washing up, this lazy lasagna is about to become your new favourite weeknight dinner. Traditional lasagna isn’t exactly difficult, but it can feel like a bit of a project, remembering the order of the layers, juggling multiple sauce pans, and timing it all just right.

That’s exactly why this easy, one-pot lasagna recipe exists: it gives you all the cosy, rich flavours of classic vegetarian lasagna with none of the confusion or mess. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “does the pasta go first or the sauce?” or “is this enough cheese?” then this lazy vegetarian lasagna is the shortcut you’ll wish you’d tried sooner.

The Beauty of One-Pot Simplicity

This recipe takes all the best parts of lasagna, the tender pasta, the hearty sauce, the golden cheese top, and turns them into a simple, no-fuss pasta bake you can throw together in one pot. There’s no layering, no parboiling, and no need for a separate béchamel. Instead, everything cooks together into a rich, creamy texture that tastes like it’s been simmering away for hours, when in reality it’s quick enough for a busy weeknight. Think of it as the ultimate weeknight lasagna, perfect for when you want comfort food without the extra steps.

At the heart of this dish is a delicious, wholesome base made with sautéed mushrooms and tender lentils. The mushrooms bring their signature savoury depth, while the lentils add protein, heartiness and that satisfying bite you expect from a really good veggie lasagna. Everything simmers gently in a creamy tomato sauce, creating a rich, flavourful mixture that clings beautifully to the pasta. Instead of layering the lasagna sheets, you simply break them into smallish chunks and stir them straight into the sauce. As they cook, they soften into the mixture, creating that familiar lasagna feel, but without the structure. It’s rustic, family-friendly and wonderfully forgiving.

You finish everything with a generous handful of grated cheddar, which melts into a gooey, bubbling topping. Baked until golden and lightly crisp around the edges, it delivers the same irresistible cheesy hit you’d expect from a classic lasagna, but with a fraction of the effort. This is the kind of lazy lasagna bake you can scoop straight from the pot to the plate, and everyone will think you’ve put in far more work than you have.

One of the biggest perks of this recipe? Minimal washing up. Because the entire dish comes together in a single pot, you avoid the usual mountain of bowls, pans and baking dishes. It’s a one-pot vegetarian lasagna that’s perfect for families, busy cooks, or anyone who wants a comforting meal without the kitchen chaos.

Whether you’re new to cooking, short on time, or simply craving a simpler take on a much-loved classic, this lazy lasagna delivers all the flavour with zero fuss. It’s guaranteed to become a regular on your meal plan.

Other Recipes To Try

Watch How To Make This Lazy Lasagna

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-pot, no-layering method (saves time and washing up).
Vegetarian and protein-rich thanks to lentils.
Budget-friendly ingredients.
Kid-friendly comfort food.
Quick weeknight winner.
Easy to customise (add spinach, ricotta, veg, herbs).

How To Make This Lazy Lasagna Recipe

Ingredients

To make this lazy lasagna recipe you will need:

vegetable oil
onionv
carrots
chestnut mushrooms
garlic
dried herbs
ricotta
good quality pasta sauce
cooked green lentils
vegetable stock
dry lasagna sheets
grated cheddar
salt & pepper

Step 1: Cook The Vegetable Base

Heat the vegetable oil in a large 3.5 litre/quart oven-proof shallow casserole dish or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrots. Fry until the carrots start to soften, about 6-8 minutes.
Add the mushrooms, garlic, and herbs. Stirring often, cook until the mushrooms are cooked and have released their water, about 8 minutes.

Step 2: Add The Remaining Ingredients

Mix in the ricotta.
Stir in the pasta sauce, lentils, and vegetable stock.
Season to taste with salt & pepper.
Add the broken lasagna sheets and stir into the pan until combined.
Top with grated cheddar.

Step 3: Cook & Serve This Lazy Lasagna

Cook for 35 to 40 mins until the top of the lasagna is golden.
Leave to rest for 10 minutes outside the oven before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lazy Lasagna

Why is this recipe called “Lazy Lasagna?”

It’s called “Lazy Lasagna” because it eliminates the most time-consuming steps of traditional lasagna: the pre-boiling of the noodles and the careful layering process. By breaking the noodles and cooking them directly in the sauce in a single pot, you cut down on prep time, cooking time, and washing up!

Can I make this a one-pot dish?

Yes! This recipe is designed to be a true one-pot dish. If you use an oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, you can sauté the base, mix in the noodles, and bake it all in the same vessel. Less washing up is the main goal of the lazy lasagna method!

Do I have to use broken lasagna sheets? Can I use another pasta?

While broken lasagna sheets give you the classic texture, you can absolutely substitute with other pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or even farfalle (bow ties). Just ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the sauce before baking so it cooks properly.

Can I make this lazy lasagna ahead of time?

You can prepare the lentil and mushroom sauce base up to two days in advance and store it in the fridge. However, I recommend only mixing the broken noodles into the sauce immediately before baking, as letting the raw noodles sit in the liquid for too long may cause them to become mushy.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Yes! Once baked, allow the one-pot lazy lasagna to cool completely. You can freeze individual portions in air-tight containers for up to three months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake in the oven until heated through.

I hope you enjoy this easy lazy lasagna recipe as much as I do. If you do make them, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram!

Easy Lazy Lasagna Recipe

Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, this easy vegetarian lasagna mixes mushrooms, lentils and broken lasagna sheets into a creamy, one-pot tomato sauce, then bakes to golden cheesy perfection.

DieTARY CHOICEHigh Fibre Recipes, Iron Rich Recipes, Low Fat Recipes, Soya-Free Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 56 minutes

Resting Time 10 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 11 minutes

Course Pasta & Noodles

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 servings

Calories 453 kcal

Equipment

1 Large shallow casserole

Disclaimer: the equipment list above includes affiliate links to products I use and like.