Dairy-Free Lasagna Can Absolutely Be Delicious

The word lasagna refers to a noodle shape: It’s specific and familiar, the broad flat noodle we all know. But the word also refers to the dish itself, which is as variable as “spaghetti” – you can make it however you like. It took me many years to realize that lasagna didn’t have to be so heavy with meat and cheese that I could barely lift the pan.

The star here is the vegan ragu, which can show up in many forms, and rightfully so: it’s so easy to substitute for meat that shows up in classic ragu because so many different foods can do the trick. And none does it better than tempeh, with its superb chewiness, strong umami flavor, and superior nutritional (and of course ethical) profile. The tempeh helps create a sauce that is in many ways as good as or better than the original.