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As someone who's enamored by the rich textures and flavors of traditional Italian cuisine, I've always found lasagna to be the epitome of comfort food. But let's face it, the standard meat and cheese version can get a bit redundant. That's why I've put a little twist on this classic by adding spinach and ricotta into the mix. The velvety smoothness of the ricotta perfectly balances the earthy taste of the spinach, creating a dish that's not only soul-warming but also a bit more nutritious.
When you dig your fork into this savory spinach and ricotta lasagna, you'll experience layers of creamy, cheesy goodness interspersed with the wholesome flavor of spinach and the rich, tangy tomato sauce. It's a symphony of flavors that brings everyone back for seconds. Whether you're trying to impress at a dinner party or just make a weeknight meal feel special, this lasagna delivers. With the easiness of assembly and the bonus of beautiful presentation, you're not just serving food—you're creating an experience. So grab your apron and get ready to wow your family and friends!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Flavorful Layers: Every bite is a burst of harmonious flavors—from the tangy marinara sauce to the earthy spinach and creamy ricotta cheese. It's a delightful tapestry of textures and tastes that complement each other perfectly.
Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet appearance, this lasagna is surprisingly easy to put together. The steps are straightforward, and the assembly is fun—making it a great recipe to involve the whole family in the kitchen!
Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for both family dinners and larger gatherings, this savory spinach and ricotta lasagna is universally appealing. The dish is hearty enough to satisfy meat-lovers yet contains a delightful lightness that won't make you feel overly stuffed.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it's a casual Sunday dinner, a holiday gathering, or a potluck with friends, this lasagna fits the bill. It's a timeless classic with a twist that never fails to impress.
How to Make Savory Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna
Preheat and Boil
- Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the lasagna noodles as per the package instructions. Drain them and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables
- In a skillet, warm up the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, which should take around 5 minutes.
Wilt the Spinach
- Add the fresh, chopped spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted. This usually takes about 3 minutes. Once done, set the skillet aside to cool slightly.
Prepare the Cheese Mixture
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, shredded mozzarella, eggs, dried oregano, dried basil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Add the sautéed spinach mixture to the cheese mixture and blend well.
Assemble the Lasagna
- In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce.
- Place a layer of cooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce, slightly overlapping them.
- Spread about one-third of the spinach and cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Pour about a cup of marinara sauce over this layer.
- Repeat these steps, creating additional layers, until you've used up all your ingredients. Finish with a layer of marinara sauce on top.
Bake
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil, ensuring it's tightly sealed around the edges.
- Bake in your preheated oven for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbling.
Cool and Serve
- After baking, let the lasagna sit for about 10 minutes to cool slightly.
- Cut into portions and serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Savory Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna
No-Boil Noodles: If you're in a hurry, no-boil lasagna noodles are a convenient alternative. These noodles are pre-cooked and dried again to make them shelf-stable. If you go this route, ensure your marinara sauce is slightly thinner than usual. The extra moisture will help the no-boil noodles cook to perfection while baking.
Fresh vs. Frozen Spinach: Fresh spinach is ideal because it maintains a vibrant color and texture. However, if you only have frozen spinach, it works too. Just remember to thaw it completely and drain out all the excess moisture by squeezing it through a clean towel or cheesecloth. This step is crucial to avoid a watery lasagna.
Cheese Quality: The type and quality of cheese you use can make or break this dish. Go for high-quality ricotta that is creamy and fresh, and grate your own Parmesan if possible. Pre-grated versions often contain additives that prevent clumping but can also affect the texture and meltability of the cheese in your lasagna.
Layering Technique: A uniform layering technique is key to achieving the perfect bite in every forkful. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to evenly spread the cheese mixture over the noodles. Make sure to reach the corners of the pan so that every slice is as delicious as the center.
Rest Before Cutting: This might require a bit of patience, but letting the lasagna sit for about 10 minutes after taking it out of the oven will make a world of difference when you cut into it. The cheese will have time to set a bit, and the layers will hold together better, making for a cleaner slice.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
Storing Leftovers:
- Refrigerator: Once the lasagna has cooled down, you can store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to use an airtight container or tightly wrap the baking dish with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to keep it fresh.
Freezing:
- Before Baking: If you want to prepare this meal in advance, assemble the lasagna in a freezer-safe dish, wrap it tightly with both plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze it. The lasagna can be stored this way for up to 3 months.
- After Baking: If you have baked lasagna leftovers that you'd like to freeze, let them cool down completely. Transfer individual slices into airtight containers or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Store these packages flat to save freezer space, and use them within 3 months for best quality.
Reheating:
- From the Fridge: If your lasagna is stored in the fridge, you can simply reheat it in a microwave-safe dish, covering loosely with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Use medium heat and check every couple of minutes until thoroughly heated. Alternatively, you can reheat it in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15-20 minutes.
- From the Freezer: If you're reheating frozen lasagna, it's best to let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, follow the oven or microwave reheating instructions as above. If you must reheat from frozen, use a lower oven temperature and allow for at least 50% more cooking time. If using a microwave, employ the defrost setting before switching to regular heating.
*Always ensure that the lasagna reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) when reheating, for food safety reasons.
**Reheated lasagna is best consumed immediately and should not be frozen again.
Recipe
Savory Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 10 ounces fresh spinach chopped
- 32 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain them in a colander and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, approximately 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, eggs, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Add the sautéed spinach mixture to the cheese mixture and stir until evenly distributed.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of the 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Place a layer of cooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce, slightly overlapping them.
- Spread about one-third of the spinach and cheese mixture over the noodles, covering them evenly.
- Pour approximately one cup of marinara sauce over the spinach and cheese mixture, spreading it out to cover the layer.
- Repeat steps 8 to 10, creating additional layers of noodles, spinach and cheese mixture, and marinara sauce until all the ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of marinara sauce on top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, making sure it's tightly sealed around the edges.
- Bake the lasagna in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Once cooked, remove the lasagna from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Cut the lasagna into portions and serve hot. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Savory Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna - FAQ
Yes, you can use low-fat ricotta if you're looking to reduce calories, but keep in mind that it may slightly alter the creamy texture and rich flavor of the lasagna.
Absolutely! You can layer in cooked ground beef, turkey, or sausage between the cheese and marinara layers for an extra protein boost.
You can use either! If using frozen spinach, make sure to thaw it completely and drain out all excess moisture to prevent the lasagna from becoming watery.
Yes, you can assemble the lasagna and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months, either before or after baking.
This dish pairs well with a simple green salad, steamed vegetables, or garlic bread. For a complete dining experience, consider serving it with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Merlot.
tim evens says
I made it last night for the first time, it came out great.