Vegetarian Spinach Ricotta Lasagna

Vegetarian Spinach Ricotta Lasagna

Prep: 30 min • Cook: 45 min. A delightful vegetarian take on classic lasagna, featuring creamy ricotta, tender spinach, and a rich marinara sauce layered with pasta and cheese, offering a comforting and flavorful meatless main course perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.

Preparation time
30 min
Cooking time
45 min
Total time
1 hr 15 min
Servings
8

Instructions

Preparation

  1. 1Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. 2If using fresh spinach, sauté until wilted, then cool and squeeze out excess water. If using frozen, thaw and thoroughly squeeze out all excess water.
  3. 3In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, spinach, egg, minced garlic, parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.

Assembly

  1. 1Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  2. 2Arrange a single layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce, breaking them if necessary to fit.
  3. 3Evenly spread half of the ricotta-spinach mixture over the noodles. Top with about 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
  4. 4Spoon another cup of marinara sauce over the mozzarella.
  5. 5Repeat with another layer of noodles, the remaining ricotta-spinach mixture, 1 cup of mozzarella, and another cup of marinara sauce.
  6. 6Place a final layer of noodles, the remaining marinara sauce, and the last cup of mozzarella cheese on top.

Baking

  1. 1Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  2. 2Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden brown.
  3. 3Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps the layers set and prevents it from falling apart.

Nutrition Information

Calories
450 kcal
Protein
25 g
Fat
22 g
Carbs
40 g
NutrientPer serving
Calories450 kcal
Protein25 g
Fat22 g
Carbs40 g

Tips

  • Ensure spinach is very dry to prevent a watery lasagna.
  • If the top is browning too quickly, loosely tent with foil to prevent burning while the inside cooks
  • Allowing the lasagna to rest is crucial for neat slices; patience pays off for perfect presentation.

By Chef Michael Ilin