Lasagna is a classic Italian dish made by layering noodles, cheese, meat, tomatoes, and white sauce. The white sauce, also called besciamella, is a béchamel sauce made with milk, butter, and flour. It adds a creamy texture and binds the lasagna layers together. However, some people need or prefer lasagna without the traditional white sauce for dietary restrictions, taste preferences, or to lighten it up. Luckily, there are several good substitutes for the white sauce in lasagna recipes.
Options for Substituting White Sauce in Lasagna
Here are some of the most popular options for replacing white sauce in lasagna:
Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta cheese makes an excellent substitute for white sauce in lasagna. It has a similar creamy, rich texture that blends the ingredients together. Ricotta also adds moisture and flavor to the dish. Simply spread a layer of whole milk or part-skim ricotta between the noodles and other lasagna fillings. Be sure to season it well with salt, pepper, herbs, and spices.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is another good choice when you want to avoid making a béchamel white sauce. Small curd cottage cheese works best to evenly cover the lasagna noodles. You can puree it in a blender or food processor first for an ultra-smooth texture. Season the cottage cheese with garlic powder, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper before assembling the lasagna.
Greek Yogurt
Plain Greek yogurt is an easy substitute for lasagna. It has a rich, creamy texture perfect for bringing the lasagna layers together. Make sure to choose plain nonfat or low-fat Greek yogurt. You can season it with lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper or Italian seasoning blend. Greek yogurt also adds protein to make the lasagna more nutritious.
Mashed Potatoes
Believe it or not, mashed potatoes can make a tasty replacement for white sauce in lasagna. They have a neutral flavor and creamy consistency. Prepare instant mashed potatoes or boil and mash russet potatoes yourself. For the best results, use milk and butter when making your mashed potatoes. Season them well with salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, and/or paprika.
Creme Fraiche
Creme fraiche is a cultured dairy product that has a thick, silky texture similar to sour cream. It can be used in place of bechamel sauce in lasagna recipes. Creme fraiche contains enough fat and moisture to effectively bind and soften the lasagna noodles. Add some lemon zest, nutmeg, parsley, and other seasonings to suit your tastes.
Silken Tofu
For a vegan lasagna without white sauce, silken tofu is your best bet. Silken tofu has a creamy, custard-like texture that works perfectly in lasagnas. Simply blend firm silken tofu with lemon juice, nutritional yeast, garlic, salt, and pepper. The seasoned tofu makes a great vegan “cheese” layer between noodles and vegetables.
Mashed Cauliflower
You can make a healthy, low-carb white sauce substitute by mashing cauliflower. Steam cauliflower florets until very soft then mash them well with a bit of butter, cream cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper. The cauliflower puree has a texture similar to mashed potatoes to bind the lasagna layers.
Bechamel Sauce
If you want a more traditional white sauce but need to avoid wheat flour, there are several substitutions you can use to make bechamel. Simply replace all-purpose flour with rice flour, cornstarch, arrowroot starch, potato starch, or almond flour. Use your preferred dairy or non-dairy milk. Season the sauce and use it in your lasagna as you would traditional bechamel.
How to Make Lasagna Without White Sauce
Making lasagna without a white sauce layer is easy. Here are step-by-step instructions:
Ingredients
– 12 lasagna noodles
– 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
– 24 ounces jarred marinara sauce
– 15 ounces ricotta cheese
– 1 egg
– 1⁄4 cup Parmesan cheese
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1⁄4 cup chopped parsley
– Salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning to taste
Instructions
1. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Brown the ground beef or sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
3. In a bowl, mix together the ricotta, egg, Parmesan, parsley and seasonings.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread a spoonful of marinara sauce over the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
5. Place 4 lasagna noodles lengthwise in the dish. Spread half the meat mixture over the noodles.
6. Dollop half the ricotta mixture over the meat layer and spread evenly.
7. Ladle about 1 cup marinara sauce evenly over the ricotta layer. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella.
8. Repeat layers starting with 4 more lasagna noodles.
9. End with a final layer of noodles, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
10. Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake 45-60 minutes until bubbly. Let sit 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
Tips for Making the Best Lasagna Without White Sauce
Here are some helpful tips to ensure your lasagna turns out perfect when omitting traditional besciamella sauce:
– Choose a ricotta cheese substitute that has a creamy, spreadable texture like cottage cheese pureed in a blender. Too thick or crumbly and it won’t adequately coat the noodles.
– Mix seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, Italian herb blend, and red pepper flakes directly into the ricotta cheese layer for extra flavor.
– Make sure to generously season the meat and tomato sauce layers too.
– Allow the lasagna noodles to cool slightly before assembling the lasagna to prevent overcooking and sticking together.
– Add some Parmesan, Romano, or goat cheese between layers or on top for a nutty, robust cheese flavor.
– Cook at a high enough temperature like 375°F covered to ensure the cheese melts thoroughly.
– Let the finished lasagna rest at least 10 minutes before serving so the layers bind together properly.
– Add a few dollops of sour cream, Greek yogurt, or pesto as a topping for even more moisture and richness.
The Best Ricotta Cheese for Lasagna
When using ricotta as your white sauce substitute, be sure to choose a high quality brand for best results. Here are some things to look for when shopping for ricotta cheese:
– Whole milk ricotta – Part-skim varieties tend to be drier and grainier.
– Fresh ricotta – Avoid pre-shredded or frozen ricotta cheese which releases more moisture.
– Soft, creamy texture – The ricotta should spread easily. Avoid crumbly varieties.
– Rich dairy flavor – No noticeable citric acid or sour taste.
– Made with whey – Ricotta made from whey protein has a better consistency.
– Domestic Italian ricotta – Authentic brands like Calabro, Galbani, or Precious are recommended.
– Artisanal fresh ricotta – Check farmer’s markets or specialty cheese shops for fresh handmade ricotta.
Nutrition Facts
Lasagna made without white sauce is usually a bit healthier than versions made with full-fat besciamella. Here is a nutritional comparison of the two styles:
Traditional Lasagna with White Sauce
| Nutrient | Per 1/6 pan serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 430 |
| Fat | 19g |
| Carbs | 36g |
| Protein | 29g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 7g |
Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese Instead of White Sauce
| Nutrient | Per 1/6 pan serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 400 |
| Fat | 16g |
| Carbs | 33g |
| Protein | 28g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 6g |
As you can see, switching out the higher fat white sauce for ricotta cheese cuts a decent amount of calories, fat, and carbohydrates without sacrificing much protein. The nutrition will vary slightly depending on what substitute ingredients you use.
Common Questions about Lasagna without White Sauce
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making lasagna without traditional besciamella sauce:
Does lasagna really need a white sauce layer?
No, lasagna does not actually need a white sauce layer. Many recipes omit it, using ricotta, cottage cheese, or another substitute instead. The white sauce helps bind layers but is not essential.
Is ricotta an authentic substitute for lasagna?
Yes, ricotta cheese is considered an authentic and traditional filling for lasagna in Italy. Replacing white sauce with extra ricotta maintains the classic flavor.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of ricotta?
Absolutely! Plain Greek yogurt makes an easy, protein-packed sub for ricotta in lasagnas. Just be sure to get nonfat or low-fat yogurt.
Is vegetable or meat lasagna better without white sauce?
Either type works well without white sauce. Meat lasagnas may be a bit more robust in flavor and not require as much sauce binding. But it’s equally tasty with vegetarian fillings.
Will lasagna without sauce between the layers be dry?
It shouldn’t be dry if you use a nicely sauced meat layer and plenty of cheese fillings. Be sure to generously sauce the top layer and let the lasagna rest before serving too.
Can I assemble lasagna ahead of time without sauce?
Yes, you can assemble the entire lasagna 1-2 days in advance without the sauce layers. Simply store covered in the fridge then add sauce when ready to bake it.
Delicious Lasagna Recipes Without White Sauce
Here are a few tasty lasagna recipes that skip the traditional white sauce in favor of delicious ricotta, yogurt, or vegetable fillings:
Simple Meat Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese
Ingredients:
– 1 lb ground beef
– 24 oz jar marinara sauce
– 15 oz container ricotta
– 1 egg
– 1⁄2 cup parmesan
– 12 no boil lasagna noodles
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella
Instructions:
1. Cook beef, drain. Mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan.
2. Layer in dish: Noodles, beef, sauce, cheese, ricotta mix, mozzarella.
3. Repeat layers ending with mozzarella.
4. Bake 350°F covered 45 minutes.
Roasted Vegetable Lasagna with Greek Yogurt
Ingredients:
– 2 zucchinis, sliced
– 1 red pepper, sliced
– 1 yellow onion, sliced
– olive oil
– salt & pepper
– 24 oz marinara
– 12 no boil noodles
– 2 cups plain Greek yogurt
– 1 1⁄2 cup mozzarella
Instructions:
1. Toss vegetables in oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F 20 minutes.
2. Layer in pan: Noodles, roasted veggies, sauce, yogurt, mozzarella.
3. Repeat layering ending with mozzarella.
4. Bake 375°F covered 30 minutes.
Four Cheese Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
Ingredients:
– 1 lb ground turkey
– 24 oz jar tomato basil pasta sauce
– 8 oz cottage cheese
– 8 oz shredded provolone
– 8 oz shredded cheddar
– 8 oz shredded Swiss
– 12 oven ready lasagna noodles
Instructions:
1. Cook turkey, drain excess fat.
2. Puree cottage cheese in blender.
3. Layer in pan: Noodles, turkey, sauce, blended cottage cheese, provolone, cheddar, Swiss.
4. Repeat layers ending with Swiss.
5. Bake 375°F covered 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Conclusion
You don’t need traditional white sauce or besciamella to make delicious lasagna. Swapping it out for ricotta, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or mashed vegetables can produce an incredibly tasty lasagna. Just be sure your replacement has a similar creamy, spreadable texture. Generously season each layer and include plenty of cheese for best results. With the right ingredients and preparation, lasagna without white sauce can be amazing.