Who says lasagna has to be made with meat? Black Bean Lasagna offers a flavorful and healthy alternative to the traditional dish, replacing meat with black beans for a protein-packed, satisfying meal that everyone will love. With layers of rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and hearty black beans, this dish is just as comforting as the original—but with a twist!
This lasagna is a fantastic way to get more plant-based ingredients into your meals without sacrificing taste. The black beans add not only protein but also fiber, making the lasagna both filling and nutritious. Combined with vegetables like spinach, onions, and bell peppers, you’ve got a well-rounded dish full of flavor and texture.
To make the perfect Black Bean Lasagna, start by sautéing onions, garlic, and bell peppers to create a flavorful base. Add cooked black beans and a jar of tomato sauce, then season with cumin, chili powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper to give it a bit of heat. In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese with spinach and egg to create the creamy layer that will complement the beans and sauce perfectly.
Layer the noodles, black bean mixture, and ricotta mixture, repeating until all ingredients are used up. Finish with a generous layer of shredded mozzarella on top, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 30-40 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
The Black Bean Lasagna is a versatile dish—you can customize it by adding different vegetables, spices, or even swapping in whole wheat lasagna noodles for added fiber. It’s perfect for vegetarians, meatless Mondays, or anyone simply looking to try something new while still enjoying all the comfort of classic lasagna.
This dish pairs wonderfully with a side salad or garlic bread, making it a complete, satisfying meal that’s sure to please a crowd.
Enjoy a healthy twist on a classic with this scrumptious Black Bean Lasagna, featuring creamy ricotta, hearty black beans, tangy tomato sauce, and a gooey mozzarella topping that’ll satisfy your cravings.

Ingredients
- 15 ounces black beans rinsed and drained
- 9 lasagna lasagna noodles cooked
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 piece onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; cook until softened.
- Add black beans, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Layer 3 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread half of the bean mixture over the noodles, then half of the ricotta cheese, followed by 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layers: 3 noodles, remaining bean mixture, remaining ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Top the final layer with the last 3 noodles and the remaining marinara sauce. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and any remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let the lasagna sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition










I put extra garlic in mine and it was the best choce ever! 10/10! 😍
Had high hopes but it turned out pretty bland. I think it needs more spices or maybe some meat.
I made this for my potluck and everyone loved it! The cheese pull was epic. Don’t forget the garlic, it makes a huge difference. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Is ricotta cheese really necessary? I don’t like it and I don’t know if it will work without it.
My kids liked it! I was surprised, not going to lie. Next time I’ll add more cheese though. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Yum! Quick and delish! Also, less dishes to wash since it’s all in one pan. 😋
Lasanga?? I thought lasagna is made of beef! Anyway, it’s alright, would not put beans in it again.
Beef is classic for sure, but beans can be good too. I just don’t think it’s the same. 🤷♂️
I love black bean lasagna! It’s a twist and so healthy! Don’t knock it till you try it!
I’m not sure about this recipe. Black beans in lasagna? Seems kinda weird. Anyone else feel that way? ⭐⭐⭐
Easy recipe but not my favorite. I love black beans, but they just don’t belong in lasagna.
This was a huge hit at our family dinner! So cheesy and flavorful. I added some spinach too.
Cheesy? More like a heart attack on a plate! Black beans in lasagna? That’s just wrong. 🤨
So glad to hear that! The spinach sounds like a delicious twist. 😊
This is the best lasagna I have ever made! I cannot believe it’s vegetarian!
Made it for my kids and they loved it! Easy to make and healthy. Will definitely repeat.
That’s awesome! I love hearing when kids enjoy healthy meals. I’ll be trying this soon!
This lasagna is amazing! So much flavor and really filling. My whole family loved it!
I’m so glad your family enjoyed it! Lasagna is always a hit. I’ll have to try adding black beans next time!
yum!!! I love how easy this recipe is! Perfect for busy weeknights. <3
Piece of cake to make! Just wish it didn’t take an hour to bake. Maybe I’ll try cooking the noodles next time in the microwave. ⭐⭐⭐
I think an hour is worth it for a delicious lasagna! But hey, everyone has their own ways of cooking, right? Good luck! 😄
I don’t know about microwaving the noodles. Isn’t it better just to follow the recipe? It’s easy enough if you just stick to it. 🥴
This recipe is okay but I miss the meat! Can’t imagine lasagna without beef or sausage.
I totally get you! Lasagna without meat feels incomplete. Have you tried adding some ground turkey or something? Might help! 🤔
I was skeptical at first, but this combination is actually quite good. Never thought of beans in lasagna!
I totally agree! Beans in lasagna sounds wild but it really works. A great twist on a classic! Can’t wait to try this myself.
Black beans? In lasagna?? Sounds weird but I guess it’s healthy. Gonna give it a shot.
This was amazing! I never thought black beans could taste so good in lasagna. A definite hit for my family! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This isn’t lasagna, it’s a black bean casserole! 😂 Not that good. Only giving it 2 stars because it filled me up. ⭐⭐
I thought the same thing at first! But it kinda grew on me. Maybe it’s not traditional lasagna, but it’s healthy! 🌱
Looks ok I guess. But I prefer my lasagna with meat! This is just beans… kinda weird. 😕
Great recipe! I didn’t have mozzarella, used cheddar instead. Still delicious!
I tried making this, but mine turned out too dry. Maybe I overcooked the noodles?
How do you cook 375 marinara? Is that even possible? LOL. Just kidding, I’ll stick to the recipe.
Confusing recipe, I didn’t realize I needed to cook the noodles first. Threw off my timing.
I totally get it! The cooking part should be clearer. Maybe a step-by-step for dummies would help? Lol.
Delicious!!! Definitely making this again. Perfect for my vegetarian friends. 🥗 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Not a fan… too many beans and not enough flavor. I expected more from the cheese.
I totally get you! I also thought it needed more spice. Maybe try adding some crushed red pepper next time!
This looks so complicated. Why do you need to layer it? Can’t I just mix everything and bake?
I love black beans, so this was a no-brainer. So good!
Yummy! I can’t believe it’s vegetarian! But where’s the meat??
Kinda bland for my taste. Added hot sauce next time.
Bland?! No way, the cheese gotta have flavor! You just need to season more. 😅
I tried it without hot sauce too, and I thought it was super tasty! Maybe you’re just not into black beans? 🤷♂️