I also love that the leftovers taste amazing and it’s a great recipe to freeze too. Most lasagna recipes take hours to prepare but this one comes together in less than 45 minutes and because of the use of plant-based protein, the cooking time is really cut down! With winter in full-force I’m definitely craving comfort foods and this healthy lasagna hits the spot while also being a well-balanced meal. The smart ground is made with organic non-GMO soy protein and actually contains 11g of protein per serving, which balances well with the carbohydrates and healthy fats in this dish. Even my hubby approved and he’s not easy to please when it comes to plant-based alternatives.įor my easy and healthy lasagna I used the Lightlife Smart Ground Zesty Italianand it adds an amazing meaty texture to the sauce that blends perfectly with garlic, carrots, onions, and zucchini. It’s by far the best tasting (and best textured!) plant-based meat product I’ve tried yet. At that time, I didn’t know about Lightlife and I wish I had. Not close my eyes while chewing and pretend it tastes good….but ACTUALLY tasted good. Years ago I ate primarily vegetarian, and at that time I remember struggling to find healthy meat alternative products that actually tasted good. Actually. While I am not exclusively plant-based, I do like plant-based meals and balance them often with non plant-based meals. I’ve teamed up with Lightlife to create this healthy lasagna and am super excited to be an official “Lightlifer”. In my opinion there’s really a perfect balance of nutrition in this recipe, and trust me, you won’t need to put on your stretchy pants. The sauce and ricotta contain fiber, healthy fats, antioxidants, and tons of veggie-goodness. My healthy lasagna does still contain carbohydrates but there are only two layers of gluten-free lasagna noodles balanced between layers of veggie-filled plant-based “meat sauce” and creamy (dairy-free!) cashew ricotta. Maybe you steer clear of lasagna not because it seems to require more work, but because of the carb-filled, cheese-loaded, make-sure-you-wear-your-stretchy-pants part. My easy and healthy lasagna is made with less than 10 ingredients, and the cashew spinach ricotta is just 7-ingredients that need to be blended together, super simple. I’m happy to say, the fear is gone! Lasagna is now a recipe in my repertoire because I’ve figured out how to change it up and no longer is it complicated and time consuming dish to make.

If you are a regular NITK reader, you know I prefer to make easy recipes that don’t take too much time or need too many ingredients. Not because it’s known to be a carb-filled, cheese-loaded, make-sure-you-wear-your-stretchy-pants kind of dish, but because it has always seemed like way too much work.

Vegan lasagna with cashew ricotta