Mediterranean Lasagna
I grew up making lasagna the lazy way—layers, a lot of cheese, and a forgiving oven—and this Mediterranean take became my go-to when summer zucchini and sun‑dried tomatoes were at their peak. It swaps heavy meat sauces for briny feta, creamy ricotta, tender artichokes and bright herbs, giving you a lighter, flavor-forward lasagna that’s perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or a meatless Sunday dinner.
Why you’ll love this dish
This Mediterranean lasagna is a great middle ground: comforting like traditional lasagna but fresher and quicker to assemble. It’s ideal when you want something showy without a whole-day commitment. The ricotta and feta layer offers tang and creaminess so you don’t miss meat, while sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes give concentrated umami and texture. Zucchini keeps it seasonal and cuts richness.
“A weeknight winner — the tangy feta wakes up every bite, and my picky eaters loved it.” — home cook review
- Vegetarian-friendly and easy to adapt for gluten-free or low-carb eaters.
- Uses pantry staples plus a few jarred items for quick prep.
- Scales well for guests or leftovers that reheat beautifully.
How this recipe comes together
Before you dig in, here’s the quick process overview so you know what to expect:
- Boil lasagna noodles al dente and prep a simple cheese-herb filling.
- Slice zucchini and open jars (artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes).
- Build layers: cheese mixture, noodles, mozzarella, and veggies.
- Bake covered, uncover to brown, then rest so slices set.
This is mostly assembly work — no simmering big pots — and total hands-on time is modest.
What you’ll need
- Lasagna noodles (regular or no-boil if you skip pre-cooking)
- Feta cheese (crumbled) — adds tang; goat cheese can substitute for extra creaminess
- Ricotta cheese — the base for the creamy layer (use whole-milk ricotta for best texture)
- Mozzarella cheese (shredded) — for melt and stretch; provolone can blend in
- Artichoke hearts (canned or jarred, drained and quartered)
- Sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed preferred; chop roughly)
- Zucchini (thinly sliced)
- Garlic (minced)
- Fresh or dried herbs (basil, oregano; fresh basil brightens the final dish)
- Olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
Notes: If you want to keep it lower sodium, rinse jarred artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes. For a gluten-free version, use GF lasagna sheets. To add protein, stir in cooked crumbled sausage or browned ground lamb.
How to prepare it
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions until just al dente; drain and lay flat to avoid sticking. If using no-boil noodles, skip this step and ensure your filling is moist.
- In a mixing bowl, combine crumbled feta, ricotta, minced garlic, chopped herbs, a pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Lightly oil a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of the cheese mixture on the bottom to prevent sticking.
- Lay down a single layer of noodles. Spoon and spread some cheese mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella. Scatter artichoke pieces, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and a single layer of zucchini slices.
- Repeat layering (noodles → cheese → mozzarella → veggies) until you reach the top of the dish. Finish with a generous layer of shredded mozzarella.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the top and season with a light pinch of salt and pepper. Cover the dish tightly with foil.
- Bake covered for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the lasagna rest 10–15 minutes before slicing so the layers set and you get clean pieces.
How to serve Mediterranean Lasagna
- Slice into squares and serve warm, garnished with torn fresh basil and a drizzle of good olive oil.
- Pair with a crisp green salad (arugula with lemon vinaigrette) or a simple cucumber-tomato salad to cut richness.
- For wine pairings: a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chianti-style red works nicely.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up any juices, or offer roasted eggplant and olives for a fuller Mediterranean spread.
Storage and reheating tips
- Cool lasagna to room temperature (no more than 2 hours) then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- To reheat single portions: cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave 2–3 minutes, checking temperature. Internal temp should reach 165°F (74°C).
- To freeze: wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil or place in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Safe handling: discard leftovers left out longer than 2 hours; reheat thoroughly to recommended temperature.
Pro chef tips
- Don’t over-salt the cheese layer—feta and sun-dried tomatoes add lots of saltiness already. Taste and adjust.
- Slice zucchini thin so it cooks through without adding water. You can also salt, rest, and pat dry slices to remove excess moisture.
- Use a mix of fresh and dried herbs for a reliable flavor: dried oregano in the cheese mix and fresh basil for finishing.
- Let it rest before serving; resting prevents a soupy lasagna and yields neater slices.
- For extra depth, toss the sun-dried tomatoes in a tablespoon of their oil (or olive oil) with a little garlic before layering.
Creative twists
- Add greens: Fold wilted spinach or chopped Swiss chard into the ricotta mix for color and nutrients.
- Meat option: Brown ground lamb or beef with a pinch of cinnamon and cumin for a Mediterranean lamb lasagna layer.
- Gluten-free: Use certified GF lasagna noodles or thin slices of eggplant as noodle substitutes.
- Vegan swap: Replace ricotta/feta with cashew “ricotta,” use vegan mozzarella, and skip or substitute artichoke packing with oil to avoid added salt.
- Crispy top: Sprinkle panko mixed with grated Parmesan and olive oil over the final mozzarella layer before the last 15 minutes for a golden crust.
Your questions answered
Q: Can I assemble this ahead of time?
A: Yes. Assemble, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add an extra 10–15 minutes to the covered baking time if cold from the fridge.
Q: Can I use no-boil noodles?
A: Absolutely. Use them as directed; ensure the cheese mixture and any added liquids are sufficient to hydrate the noodles during baking.
Q: How can I avoid a watery lasagna?
A: Salt and rest watery veggies (zucchini, mushrooms) and pat them dry. Don’t overload with juice-heavy ingredients. Let the cooked lasagna rest before cutting.
Q: Is this freezer-friendly?
A: Yes. Freeze cooked lasagna in portions or whole (well-wrapped) for up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Q: What if I don’t like feta?
A: Substitute crumbled goat cheese for similar tang, or increase ricotta and add a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
Conclusion
If you like classic lasagna but want something brighter and lighter, this Mediterranean lasagna delivers bold flavor without long simmer times. For a similar take from another home cook, check out this detailed version at Easy Mediterranean Lasagna – Monica Nedeff. If you’re curious about adding meat or following a Mediterranean-diet approach, see this hearty variation here: Mediterranean Diet Lasagna Recipe (with Ground Lamb) | Couple in the Kitchen.

Mediterranean Lasagna
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions until just al dente; drain and lay flat to avoid sticking. If using no-boil noodles, skip this step.
- In a mixing bowl, combine crumbled feta, ricotta, minced garlic, chopped herbs, a pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of the cheese mixture on the bottom.
- Lay down a single layer of noodles. Spoon and spread some cheese mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella. Scatter artichoke pieces, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and a single layer of zucchini slices.
- Repeat layering (noodles → cheese → mozzarella → veggies) until you reach the top of the dish. Finish with a generous layer of shredded mozzarella.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the top and season with a light pinch of salt and pepper. Cover the dish tightly with foil.
- Bake covered for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
- Slice into squares and serve warm, garnished with torn fresh basil and a drizzle of good olive oil.
