If you’re looking to wow your friends and family this festive season with something hearty, vibrant, and utterly comforting, this Christmas Roasted Vegetable Lasagna Recipe is a winner. Layers of tender roasted zucchini and sweet caramelized onions combine with creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and savory tomato sauce to create a dish that celebrates the season’s best flavors in every bite. It’s the perfect centerpiece for a holiday meal that feels warm, welcoming, and a bit special—just what you want when gathering loved ones around the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient plays a key role in creating the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and colors in this dish. From the fresh vegetables that roast to a delightful sweetness to the cheeses that bring richness, these simple staples come together to make magic happen in your oven.
- Zucchini: Adds moisture and a subtle, slightly sweet flavor with a lovely tender texture when roasted.
- Yellow onion: Roastes to caramelized perfection, deepening the flavor complexity of the layers.
- Olive oil: Essential for roasting the vegetables to a golden, flavorful finish.
- Lasagna noodles: The sturdy but tender foundation that holds all the delicious layers together.
- Ricotta cheese: Adds creamy richness and a mild tang to complement the roasted veggies.
- Eggs: Bind the ricotta mixture so it holds its shape beautifully when baked.
- Parmesan cheese: Offers a nutty, salty kick that amplifies every savory bite.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance and balance the flavors.
- Tomato sauce: Brings vibrant acidity and moisture, ensuring every forkful is sumptuous.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into gooey, golden goodness, the ultimate cheesy topping you crave in lasagna.
How to Make Christmas Roasted Vegetable Lasagna Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Roast the Vegetables
Start by heating your oven to a high temperature of 450ºF. This ensures those zucchini and onions get that irresistible roasted caramelization. Cut the zucchini into half-inch slices to balance tenderness and structure. The onion chunks add a lovely bite and sweetness. Toss the veggies in olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast them in a single layer to maximize browning. Roasting in two stages helps develop deep flavor and perfect softness while preserving some texture, which is critical for this recipe.
Step 2: Cook the Lasagna Noodles
While the veggies roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles until just tender, following the package directions. Rinsing them under cold water and gently drying prevents sticking and makes handling easier. The noodles are sturdy enough to hold layers but tender enough to soak up all the flavorful sauces without falling apart.
Step 3: Mix the Ricotta Filling
Whisk together ricotta cheese, eggs, half of the Parmesan, and a pinch of salt and pepper until smooth and creamy. This mixture adds a luscious, custardy middle layer that beautifully contrasts with the roasted vegetable chunks and stringy mozzarella. The eggs act as a binder, so none of this delicious goodness escapes during baking.
Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna Layers
Begin by spreading a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of your prepared baking dish to prevent sticking. Layer your noodles with thoughtful overlap to make a sturdy but flexible foundation. Spread one-third of your ricotta mixture evenly, then sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan for gooey, melty cheesiness. Add a third of the roasted vegetables followed by a splash of sauce to keep everything moist. Repeat to create four beautiful layers of noodles and fillings, finishing off with sauce and a generous sprinkle of cheese for that irresistibly golden top.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Cover your lasagna with foil to lock in moisture at 375ºF, baking for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil to let the top crisp and bubble for an additional 15 minutes. This two-stage baking ensures the lasagna cooks evenly, the cheese melts perfectly, and the edges develop just the right amount of chew and crunch. After baking, let the lasagna stand for 15 minutes to set up so it slices cleanly and holds its shape when served.
How to Serve Christmas Roasted Vegetable Lasagna Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped basil or parsley adds a burst of green freshness that complements the rich layers beautifully. A light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can elevate the flavors even more. For a touch of glamour, shaved Parmesan on top just before serving is a simple way to impress.
Side Dishes
This lasagna pairs wonderfully with crisp, lightly dressed winter greens like arugula or kale salad, which cut through the richness with a peppery snap. Warm garlic bread or freshly baked focaccia rounds out the meal with satisfying crunch and flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, serve your Christmas Roasted Vegetable Lasagna Recipe on a large rustic platter garnished with sprigs of rosemary and thyme. Individual portions can be plated with a dollop of ricotta or a dusting of Parmesan next to a small salad for an elegant presentation that looks as good as it tastes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your lasagna tastes even better the next day once the flavors meld, making it a perfect make-ahead holiday meal. Cover leftover portions tightly with plastic wrap or airtight containers and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully. After baking and cooling completely, cover the entire dish tightly with foil and plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to retain the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350ºF, covered with foil to keep moisture, for about 25-30 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, individual slices microwave well in short bursts to avoid drying out the cheese and vegetables.
FAQs
Can I use other vegetables in this Christmas Roasted Vegetable Lasagna Recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap in bell peppers, mushrooms, or eggplant, depending on what you like or have on hand. Just be sure to roast them well to develop their flavor and remove excess moisture.
Do I have to precook the noodles?
Precooking the noodles according to package instructions ensures they are tender and pliable for layering, which makes assembly easier and the finished dish perfectly cooked throughout.
Can I make this lasagna vegetarian or vegan?
This recipe is vegetarian-friendly, but if you want to make it vegan, you’ll need to substitute dairy cheeses with plant-based alternatives and use an egg replacer for the ricotta mixture.
Is this recipe suitable for freezing before baking?
You can assemble the lasagna and freeze it unbaked. Just wrap it tightly and bake it directly from frozen—add extra baking time and keep it covered with foil to ensure even cooking.
Why does the recipe use two stages of roasting the vegetables?
The initial roast softens the vegetables, and tossing them halfway through ensures even caramelization, resulting in a deeper, richer flavor and perfect texture for layering in the lasagna.
Final Thoughts
Nothing says festive comfort quite like this Christmas Roasted Vegetable Lasagna Recipe. It’s a beautiful way to highlight seasonal veggies while indulging in the rich, cheesy goodness we all crave during the holidays. Trust me, once you make this dish, it’s going to become a beloved tradition around your dinner table. So gather your ingredients, fire up the oven, and let this recipe bring warmth and joy to your holiday celebrations!
Print
Christmas Roasted Vegetable Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Christmas Roasted Vegetable Lasagna features tender roasted zucchini and onions layered with creamy ricotta cheese, rich tomato sauce, and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfectly baked until golden and bubbly, it’s a festive vegetarian dish that serves 12 people and pairs beautifully with holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 large yellow onion
Cheese & Dairy
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound lasagna noodles
- 3 cups tomato sauce
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 450ºF and lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Roast Vegetables: Slice the zucchini lengthwise into 1/2 inch pieces and cut the peeled onion into 1 inch chunks. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, drizzling with olive oil and seasoning with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 minutes, toss, and roast for another 20 minutes until browned and soft. Reduce oven temperature to 375ºF afterward.
- Cook Lasagna Noodles: Boil a large pot of water and cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool, then separate and dry with a towel to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ricotta Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, half a cup of grated Parmesan, and salt and pepper. Mix well until creamy and uniform.
- Assemble Lasagna Layers: Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce in the prepared pan. Add a pasta layer, slightly overlapping noodles. Spread one-third of the ricotta mixture evenly, then sprinkle one-quarter of mozzarella and one-quarter of the remaining Parmesan. Top with one-third of the roasted vegetables and spoon 1/2 cup of sauce over the vegetables.
- Repeat Layers: Add another pasta layer and continue layering until there are 4 layers of pasta and 3 layers of fillings, ending with sauce on top. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top layer.
- Bake and Rest: Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until the lasagna is golden and bubbly. Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure vegetables are roasted until soft and browned for maximum flavor.
- Using cold water to cool noodles prevents them from sticking together.
- Allow the lasagna to rest after baking so it sets and slices neatly.
- You can substitute the tomato sauce with your favorite homemade marinara.
- For extra flavor, add fresh herbs such as basil or oregano to the ricotta mixture.
