Zucchini and Chickpea Veggie-Loaded Lasagna
Layers of tender zucchini slices and a rich chickpea-tomato sauce combine in this veggie-packed lasagna that hides nutritious ingredients in every bite. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 80 minutes pairs drained and rinsed canned chickpeas, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 medium, sliced lengthwise into 1/8 inch ribbons zucchini
- 15 oz, drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 9 no-boil sheets lasagna noodles
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 15 oz drained canned chickpeas and 28 oz crushed tomatoes to the pan with 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes, mashing some chickpeas with the back of a spoon for texture.
- Step 3: In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the chickpea-tomato sauce. Layer 3 no-boil lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Step 4: Spread half of the ricotta cheese (1/2 cup) evenly over the noodles, then layer 1/3 of the zucchini ribbons on top. Spoon 1/3 of the chickpea sauce over zucchini and sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella.
- Step 5: Repeat the layering: 3 noodles, 1/2 cup ricotta, 1/3 zucchini, 1/3 sauce, 1/2 cup mozzarella.
- Step 6: Top with the last 3 noodles, remaining sauce, 1/2 cup mozzarella, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Step 7: Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Step 8: Let the lasagna rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Zucchini and Chickpea Veggie-Loaded Lasagna take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (25 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Zucchini and Chickpea Veggie-Loaded Lasagna?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Zucchini and Chickpea Veggie-Loaded Lasagna?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Zucchini and Chickpea Veggie-Loaded Lasagna for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Zucchini and Chickpea Veggie-Loaded Lasagna vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.