Classic Spinach Ricotta Lasagna (Printable View)
Layers of tender noodles, creamy ricotta, and fresh spinach in rich marinara sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cheese & Dairy
01 - 2 cups ricotta cheese
02 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
03 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 2 large eggs
→ Vegetables
05 - 12 oz fresh spinach
06 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Pantry
08 - 9-12 no-boil lasagna noodles
09 - 4 cups marinara sauce
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
11 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1/2 tsp dried basil
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute more.
03 - Add spinach to the skillet. If using fresh, wilt for 2-3 minutes. If using thawed frozen spinach, cook until any excess moisture evaporates. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Transfer to a bowl and let cool slightly.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, eggs, half the Parmesan, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in the cooled spinach mixture.
05 - Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer 3-4 noodles over the sauce. Spread one-third of the ricotta-spinach mixture over noodles. Sprinkle with one-third of the mozzarella.
06 - Spoon 1 cup of marinara sauce over the cheese layer. Repeat layering (noodles, ricotta-spinach, mozzarella, sauce) two more times, finishing with noodles and remaining sauce. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
07 - Cover the dish with foil (lightly greased to prevent sticking) and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15-20 minutes more, until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
08 - Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The ricotta spinach mixture stays incredibly creamy without any heavy cream
- No boil noodles mean you can assemble this in twenty minutes flat
- Leftovers actually taste better the next day, if they last that long
02 -
- Underbaked lasagna falls apart when sliced, so wait for those gorgeous golden brown spots
- Letting it rest is not optional, it is the secret to clean, presentable slices
03 -
- A pinch of nutmeg in the ricotta mixture adds subtle warmth that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient is
- Cut the foil to size before greasing it, so the cheese does not stick and pull off when you uncover the dish