Late Summer Lasagna

Hi, everyone!!! Mid-August is here, and with that comes the close of my summer recipes for 2026. The summer is a difficult time for me. I feel largely unmotivated, uninspired, and unfulfilled, so I am greatly looking forward to feeling more like myself again as the days shorten! Today’s offering is 1 of 2 remaining summer recipes I will be publishing before transitioning to fall content. This lasagna is vibrant, fresh, and effortlessly light, not the typical extremely indulgent lasagna you’re used to!

The base of this lasagna is fresh spinach pasta. I made this pasta myself using a pasta machine attachment for my stand mixer, but feel free to use any lasagna pasta (homemade or store-bought) you love! I do recommend sticking with spinach pasta for this recipe, as the subtle earthy flavor and bright green color really make this dish something special.

There are 2 reasons why you will not find béchamel sauce in this recipe: 1) I wanted this lasagna to feel light, fresh, and summery, and 2) I do not like béchamel. Believe me, sacrilege aside, you will not miss it one bit. The fresh cheese and zucchini release moisture as they bake, preventing the lasagna from drying out, while the absence of the very indulgent béchamel keeps this dish on the lighter side.

The remaining fillings are as follows: herby ricotta, fresh mozzarella, sliced yellow peaches, prosciutto, lightly sautéed zucchini, fresh basil, and loads of grated Parmesan. You can organize these fillings in whatever order you see fit; the below recipe is, of course, my recommendation based on ingredient weight, cooking times, moisture, etc. My preferred lasagna is smaller and taller, but if you are using a wider pan or wish to have fewer layers, feel free to consolidate the fillings to your heart’s desire!

The top of this lasagna is finished with a layer of prosciutto, a few chunks of fresh mozzarella, and a flurry of Parmesan. The prosciutto crisps in the oven, giving the top of the lasagna a salty, crackly crust. Internally, we have a serenade of richness from the cheeses, sweetness from the peach, salt from the prosciutto, creaminess from the zucchini, and an herby freshness that ties everything together in the perfect estival bow.

I hope you love this lasagna as much as I do! I had so much fun developing, constructing, and eating this lasagna. As always, I’d love to hear from you with any questions, comments, concerns, and especially photos of your creations! Happy cooking!!