Lasagna is one of my all-time favorite dishes, but over the last few months I’ve gotten a little lazy (and busy). The thought of the amount of time it takes to layer the lasagna and bake it in the oven puts lasagna at the end of my list of quick go-to dinner recipes. Until now. These plant-based Vegan Eggplant Bean Lasagna Rolls put lasagna back in frequent rotation in our busy household. This simple vegan, egg-free, dairy-free, nut-free dish can also be made gluten-free if you use gluten-free lasagna noodles. You know you’ve got a good recipe when the kids keep ‘ooooing’ and making ‘mmmm’ sounds and asking for seconds! Jump to Recipe
Serve these lasagna rolls alongside sautéed broccoli, roasted Brussels sprouts or other side vegetables. Add in a salad and toasted garlic bread if you like to complete a simple yet filling meal. Besides making this recipe for family or guests at home, these Vegan Eggplant Bean Lasagna Rolls also make a beautiful dish to take for your next dinner party or potluck!
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1 19 ounce can (or 540 mL) of white cannelloni kidney beans, drained and rinsed (or about 1 3/4 cups of cooked beans)
- 3 large garlic cloves (minced)
- ½ tablespoon olive oil (or other vegetable oil)
- 1 large tomato (chopped)
- 2 teaspoons dried basil (or 3 tablespoons fresh chopped basil)
- 2 cups diced raw eggplant [200 g]
- 2 cups diced raw white button mushrooms [134 g] (or Cremini mushrooms)
- 1 cup chopped raw baby spinach/kale leaves [25 g] (or use regular diced spinach or kale leaves)
- ½ cup tomato-based pasta sauce [120 mL]
- ½ cup fortified unflavored soy milk (or other fortified unflavored plant-based milk)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 ½ cups vegan ‘cheese’ shreds (I used Daiya brand)
- ½ teaspoon salt (add more if desired)
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Set the oven on ‘Broil’ function (high setting).
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Boil water in a pot and then put the lasagna noodles into the boiling water. Cook, with the pot uncovered, for 10 -12 minutes. Then remove the lasagna noodles and place them immediately into a pot of cold water to stop the cooking process.
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While the lasagna is cooking, mince the garlic cloves, chop up all the vegetables and prepare the bean mixture (see next step).
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Drain and rinse the canned beans, then mash the beans with a fork or potato masher into a coarse texture. Mix in the ½ cup of the pasta sauce. Alternatively use 1 3/4 cups of cooked beans in this recipe.
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Heat the half tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot on a medium heat setting. Sauté the minced garlic in this oil for a minute or two, then add in the chopped tomato and dried or fresh chopped basil. Sauté this mixture for about 2 minutes, covering the pot with a lid to prevent splatters if necessary.
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Add into the pot the diced eggplant, mushrooms, and mashed bean pasta sauce mixture. Stir to combine and let cook for 2-3 minutes. Turn down the stove heat setting if needed to maintain a gentle simmering.
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Add in the measured amount of fortified plant-based milk, pepper, oregano, spinach/kale leaves and salt. Stir this mixture together and let it cook for another 5 - 7 minutes until heated through. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Then turn off the stove heat setting and move the pot to a cool burner.
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Drain the cold water from the lasagna noodles. Spread the lasagna noodles in a large baking dish or baking sheet. Smear a thin layer of the bean filling onto each lasagna noodle, then top with some vegan ‘cheese’ shreds before rolling up each noodle. Sprinkle more vegan ‘cheese’ shreds on top if desired.
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Broil in the oven for 5-6 minutes (watch carefully so that the top doesn’t get overcooked/burnt!). Remove from the oven and let cool a few minutes before serving.
If you use home cooked beans or unsalted canned beans in this recipe, you may need to add a little bit more salt into this recipe than what is called for. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
For those who prefer to pre-prep, you can make the lasagna filling a day or two ahead, and then just cook the lasagna noodles and make the lasagna rolls on the day of serving. If you don’t have white cannelloni beans on hand, this recipe would also work with canned red kidney beans or canned white navy beans. Don’t put too much of the filling on each lasagna noodle, as this will make it more difficult to roll them up.
If you have some leftover filling, just store it in the refrigerator for another dinner later in the week (you may just need to cook more lasagna noodles). The leftovers also work wonderfully for a packed work or school lunch meal the following day. Enjoy!
Sounds and looks so delicious! love lasagna but have never ventured into making them:)
You love lasagna too? 🙂 Well, yes, this is an easier way to make and enjoy them! 🙂