Craving a comforting, flavorful meal that’s both impressive and surprisingly easy to make? Look no further than this delicious lasagna recipe with spinach and meat! This classic Italian dish is perfect for a family dinner, a weekend gathering, or even a cozy night in. Forget takeout – this homemade lasagna is packed with rich meaty flavors, tender spinach, and creamy cheese, all layered between perfectly cooked pasta sheets. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with this easy-to-follow recipe!
Ingredients:
This recipe makes a generous 9x13 inch lasagna. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your needs.
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 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 10 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped
For the Cheese Filling:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients:
- 9 lasagna noodles (oven-ready preferred)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
Preparing the Meat Sauce:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for at least 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. The longer it simmers, the better it tastes!
- Add the chopped spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes.
Preparing the Cheese Filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is thoroughly combined.
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.
- Top with a layer of lasagna noodles, slightly overlapping if necessary.
- Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
- Top with another layer of meat sauce, followed by another layer of noodles.
- Spread the remaining ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Top with the remaining meat sauce and finally, 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 the lasagna rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the lasagna to set and makes it easier to serve.
Tips and Variations:
- For a vegetarian option: Omit the meat and use a vegetable broth-based sauce with mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers for a hearty and flavorful vegetarian lasagna.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for a little kick.
- Add vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to the meat sauce, such as carrots, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
- Use different cheeses: Experiment with different cheeses like provolone or Fontina for a unique flavor profile.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 450-500 Fat: 25-30g Protein: 25-30g Carbohydrates: 40-45g
This lasagna recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s a fantastic example of delicious, satisfying, and easy-to-make food recipes, perfect for a quick dinner or a special occasion. Enjoy!