Craving a comforting, delicious meal that feels both indulgent and healthy? Look no further! This lasagna with ricotta cheese and spinach recipe is the perfect answer. It's a fantastic example of homemade cooking, a quick dinner idea that's surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner cooks. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this classic Italian dish elevated with fresh spinach and creamy ricotta. This recipe is packed with flavor and offers a healthier twist on a traditional favorite, making it one of the best recipes you'll ever try.
Ingredients:
This recipe makes a 9x13 inch lasagna. Adjust ingredient quantities as needed for different pan sizes.
- For the meat sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage, for a richer flavor)
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For the ricotta mixture:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 10 ounces fresh spinach, chopped and sautéed until wilted (squeeze out excess water)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Other:
- 9 lasagna noodles (oven-ready or no-boil preferred for ease)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and cook for at least 15 minutes, or longer for a richer flavor.
2. Make the Ricotta Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, sautéed spinach, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
3. Assemble the Lasagna: Preheat 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 mixture over the noodles, followed by another layer of meat sauce and a layer of mozzarella cheese. Repeat with remaining noodles, ricotta mixture, meat sauce, and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
4. Bake the Lasagna: Cover the baking dish with 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 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips and Variations:
- For a vegetarian lasagna, omit the ground beef and add 1 cup of cooked mushrooms or lentils to the sauce for added protein and flavor.
- Feel free to experiment with different vegetables in the ricotta mixture, such as roasted red peppers or zucchini.
- If you're short on time, use no-boil lasagna noodles to reduce cooking time.
- For a richer flavor, use Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
- A sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds a nice kick to the sauce.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
- Calories: Approximately 450-500
- Protein: Approximately 25-30g
- Fat: Approximately 25-30g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 40-45g
Enjoy this easy, healthy, and delicious lasagna recipe! It's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Let us know in the comments how yours turned out! We'd love to see your photos!