Go Back
Homemade Vegan Skillet Lasagna with Homemade Almond Ricotta photo

Vegan Skillet Lasagna with Homemade Almond Ricotta

A cozy one-skillet vegan lasagna layered with homemade almond ricotta and a spinach-walnut pesto.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups almonds, sliced or slivered soaked in boiling water 1 hour
  • 1/2 cup reserved soaking water
  • 1/2 teaspoon probiotic powder loose or from a capsule
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for ricotta
  • sea salt to taste (used in ricotta and throughout)
  • 1 clove garlic finely grated with microplane (optional, for ricotta)
  • a big pinch nutritional yeast optional, for ricotta
  • 1/2 cup walnut halves for pesto
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced (for pesto)
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups spinach packed, used in pesto
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil for pesto
  • ground black pepper to taste (used in pesto and sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing vegetables
  • 1 small onion small dice (about 1 scant cup)
  • 1 carrot carrot small dice (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 small zucchini small dice (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1/3 cup cooked French lentils
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced (for sauce)
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
  • 3 cups tomato sauce about 24 oz
  • 6 oz oven-ready lasagna noodles about 6–7 noodles, broken into thirds
  • 1 cup almond ricotta homemade (see ricotta steps) or store-bought
  • spinach walnut pesto see pesto steps or use about 3/4 cup prepared
  • extra spinach optional, a small handful to scatter on top

Equipment

  • Blender or food processor
  • large 10–11 inch deep skillet with lid
  • Microplane or fine grater
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Make the almond ricotta: Drain the soaked almonds and place them in a blender or food processor with 1/4 cup of the reserved soaking water; pulse until the mixture is lumpy and resembles ricotta, adding more soaking water a tablespoon at a time if needed.
  2. Transfer the almond puree to a clean container and stir in the probiotic powder until evenly distributed; cover with a clean towel secured with a rubber band and let ferment in a warm place for at least 8–10 hours, then stir.
  3. Once tangy to your liking, stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt to taste, the grated garlic (if using), and nutritional yeast (if using); seal and refrigerate until ready to use.
  4. Make the spinach-walnut pesto: Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant and lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes, then transfer to a blender or food processor.
  5. Add 2 minced garlic cloves, lemon zest, lemon juice, 2 cups packed spinach, 3 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper to the walnuts; pulse until uniformly chopped, then blend to a chunky puree, scraping down the sides as needed.
  6. Heat a deep 10–11 inch skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil, then sauté the diced onion, carrot, and zucchini until the onion is translucent and carrots are softened, about 5 minutes.
  7. Add 1/3 cup cooked lentils, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, and salt and pepper; sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
  8. Pour in the 3 cups (24 oz) tomato sauce, stir to combine, and bring to a simmer.
  9. Nestle the broken oven-ready lasagna noodle pieces into the sauce, pressing them down so they are mostly submerged; cover the skillet and simmer gently until the noodles are just tender, about 15–17 minutes, adding up to 1/4 cup water if the pan gets too dry.
  10. Stir gently to check that all noodles are softened, then dollop the almond ricotta and spoonfuls of the spinach-walnut pesto over the top, pushing the dollops slightly into the noodles with the back of a spoon; scatter a small handful of extra spinach if using.
  11. Cover and cook another 10 minutes to heat through, then serve hot with an optional drizzle of olive oil or sprinkle of pine nut parm.

Notes

  • The almond ricotta needs at least 8 hours to ferment.
  • Substitute 1 cup store-bought almond ricotta if short on time.
  • You can replace both ricotta and pesto with the white bean pesto cream referenced in the original recipe.
  • Use oven-ready lasagna noodles and a good-quality marinara if you prefer to skip making pesto.
  • Expect about 3/4 cup pesto yield if not using a prepared version.
  • Use a deep skillet with a tight-fitting lid for best results.