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Classic Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

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Layers of tender pasta sheets, creamy ricotta, savory spinach, and rich béchamel, baked to golden perfection in this comforting Italian classic.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 lasagna noodles
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 10 oz fresh spinach (or 1 package frozen, thawed and drained)
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (for béchamel)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for béchamel)
  • 3 cups whole milk (for béchamel)
  • Salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg (for béchamel)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant, about 3–4 minutes.
  3. Add spinach and cook until wilted (or heated through, if using frozen). Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
  4. In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cooked spinach mixture.
  5. For the béchamel: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until golden. Gradually whisk in milk. Simmer and stir until thickened, 5–7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  6. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and lay flat on parchment paper.
  7. Assemble lasagna: Spread a thin layer of béchamel in the dish. Layer noodles, spinach ricotta, béchamel, mozzarella, and repeat. Finish with noodles, béchamel, and top with Parmesan.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
  9. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute fresh spinach with frozen to save time.
  • Letting the lasagna rest helps it set and makes slicing easier.
  • Use no-boil noodles to skip boiling if preferred.

Nutrition

Keywords: spinach ricotta lasagna, vegetarian lasagna, Italian baked pasta, béchamel lasagna

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/classic-spinach-and-ricotta-lasagna/