Description
Spinach lasagna with ricotta celebrates layers of creamy Italian comfort. Hearty vegetarian pasta delights with rich cheese and tender spinach, promising a satisfying Mediterranean-inspired meal you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
- 10 oz (280 g) fresh spinach (or 1 package frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil (or 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped)
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Noodle Preparation: Cook lasagna noodles until perfectly al dente, then drain and lay flat on a kitchen towel to prevent clumping.
- Spinach Processing: Quickly sauté spinach until wilted, then thoroughly drain in a colander to remove excess moisture.
- Ricotta Blending: Whisk ricotta with garlic, herbs, and nutmeg until smooth and fragrant, creating a rich, aromatic base.
- Sauce Crafting: Simmer crushed tomatoes with herbs and olive oil, developing a deep, robust flavor profile.
- Initial Layering: Spread a thin tomato sauce base in the baking dish, then carefully arrange the first noodle layer to completely cover the bottom.
- Strategic Stacking: Build alternating layers of noodles, herbed ricotta, spinach, and mozzarella, ensuring even distribution and maximum flavor integration.
- Final Touches: Top the lasagna with a generous layer of tomato sauce and a hearty sprinkle of parmesan cheese, creating a golden, crispy surface.
- Baking Protocol: Tent with aluminum foil and bake until the lasagna is bubbling, golden, and the cheese is perfectly melted.
- Resting Phase: Let the lasagna settle for 10-15 minutes after baking, allowing layers to set and making slicing more precise and clean.
Notes
- Prevent Watery Texture: Thoroughly drain spinach and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a firm and cohesive lasagna structure.
- Enhance Herb Flavor: Use fresh herbs like basil or oregano instead of dried to boost the aromatic profile and create a more vibrant taste experience.
- Optimize Cheese Consistency: Let ricotta come to room temperature before mixing to achieve a smoother, more spreadable texture that blends seamlessly with other ingredients.
- Control Baking Temperature: Cover with foil during initial baking to prevent cheese from burning, then uncover for the last 10-15 minutes to create a golden, crispy top layer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg