Kid-Friendly Vegan Cheesy Vegetable Lasagna: Tips for Getting Your Kids to Eat Their Veggies

Jump to Recipe

If you’re a parent, you know the challenge: getting kids to eat vegetables can feel like a battle. But what if I told you that making lasagna can actually be fun for them and might even get them excited about veggies? Enter this Vegan Cheesy Vegetable Lasagna, where the kids are the chefs-in-training and the layers are their canvas.

Here’s how to make this lasagna kid-friendly — and delicious.

1. Start with the Sauce

Let your kids help pick the sauce. It could be a simple jarred tomato sauce, a roasted red pepper sauce, or even a mild marinara. The key here is to choose something familiar so the flavor isn’t overwhelming. Kids love control, and letting them pick the sauce gives them a sense of ownership — and yes, they’ll be more likely to eat it if it’s the one they chose.

2. Noodles Are the Fun Part

Teach them to handle the noodles. Let them taste a cooked noodle — yes, really. Kids love tasting each component as they assemble it, and this simple act can make them more invested in the finished dish.

Layer those noodles first to create the base, and let your little helpers practice spreading them out evenly. They’re learning while you cook, and it’s an easy win for engagement.

3. Cheese Layer: Garlic or Plain? Hummus or Vegan Cheese?

Next up is the “cheese” layer. Depending on your child’s taste, you can use:

• Vegan ricotta or hummus: Mild and creamy.
• Nutritional yeast: Adds cheesiness without dairy.
• A little garlic or none: Some kids dislike garlic, so let them decide.
• Or a mix of real vegan cheese and nutritional yeast: For extra flavor.

Have them spread it like butter on bread. This part is fun for kids because it feels like painting — and yes, it’s perfectly okay if a little ends up on their fingers.

4. Vegetable Layer: Let Them Decorate

Now for the most important part: the veggies. Offer a colorful variety: zucchini, spinach, broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers. Let your child pick their favorites and “decorate” the lasagna.

By letting them choose and arrange the vegetables, you’re giving them control, making it exciting, and teaching them that eating veggies can be fun — not a chore.

5. Layering Tips

Repeat the noodle-cheese-veggie layers until you reach the top of your pan. Encourage your child to help build the layers. This is not only interactive, but it also teaches them about portioning and assembly.

The final layer can be a mix of nutritional yeast or shredded vegan cheese, giving the lasagna a golden, melty topping that looks irresistible.

6. Baking and Serving

Bake until bubbly and golden. Let your little chefs help sprinkle the top layer before it goes into the oven — they’ll love seeing their handiwork transformed into a delicious dinner.

Serve warm, maybe with a side salad or garlic bread, and watch as your child proudly digs in.

Why This Works for Kids

• Choice = engagement: Picking sauce, veggies, and cheese makes them invested.
• Hands-on fun: Tasting and layering noodles and veggies keeps them involved.
• Visual appeal: Kids love colorful, well-layered dishes they helped assemble.
• Taste control: Using mild sauces and adaptable cheese layers ensures the flavors aren’t intimidating.

Final Thoughts

This lasagna isn’t just dinner — it’s a mini cooking lesson, a confidence booster, and a way to sneak in some extra vegetables without being sneaky. By letting your kids help at every stage, you’re more likely to have a happy eater at the table, not a picky one.

Give it a try! Let them assemble, taste, decorate, and enjoy the reward: a cheesy, colorful, kid-approved vegan lasagna.

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.