Craving a comforting, flavorful meal that's also satisfying? Look no further! This lasagna recipe with meat and spinach is a classic for a reason. It's a delicious dish perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or simply a cozy night in. Forget takeout – this homemade lasagna is surprisingly easy to make and tastes far superior to anything you'll find in a restaurant. Get ready to impress your loved ones with this simple yet stunning recipe!
Ingredients:
This recipe makes a generous 9x13 inch lasagna, easily serving 6-8 people. Feel free to halve the recipe if needed.
For the meat sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 10 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
For the cheese filling:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For assembling the lasagna:
- 9 lasagna noodles (oven-ready preferred)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
Making the Meat Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor!
- Add the chopped spinach during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Stir until wilted.
Preparing the Cheese Filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Assembling the Lasagna:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Layer 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Top with another layer of meat sauce and then another 3 noodles.
- Repeat with the remaining ricotta cheese mixture and meat sauce.
- Finish with the final layer of lasagna noodles.
- Pour any remaining meat sauce over the top layer of noodles.
- Sprinkle generously with mozzarella cheese.
Baking the Lasagna:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Let stand for at least 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. This allows the lasagna to set and makes slicing easier.
Tips and Variations:
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add 1 cup of cooked lentils or mushrooms to the sauce.
- Feel free to add other vegetables to the meat sauce, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.
- If you don't have fresh spinach, frozen spinach works just as well (make sure to squeeze out excess water before adding it to the sauce).
- For a spicier lasagna, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Using oven-ready lasagna noodles saves you the pre-boiling step and simplifies the process.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 450-500 Protein: 25-30g Fat: 20-25g Carbohydrates: 50-60g
Enjoy this hearty and delicious lasagna recipe! It’s a perfect example of a healthy meal that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. This easy recipe is sure to become a family favorite, offering a quick dinner solution that tastes like it took hours to prepare. Happy cooking!