Easy Homemade Spinach Lasagna with Marinara Sauce
Nov 15, 2024
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Looking for a comforting and delicious dish that’s easy to prepare? This Easy Homemade Spinach Lasagna with Marinara Sauce is the perfect recipe for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. Packed with nutritious spinach and creamy cheeses, it’s a delightful twist on a classic Italian favorite!
Enjoy our Easy Homemade Spinach Lasagna, packed with fresh spinach, creamy ricotta, and marinara sauce. Perfect for family dinners, this delicious vegetarian dish is quick to prepare and satisfying! We would also love to suggest our Veggie Lasagna and our Slow Cooker Lasagna recipes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nutritious and Flavorful: With fresh spinach and a blend of cheeses, this lasagna is both nutritious and satisfying.
- Easy to Make: The step-by-step instructions make this recipe accessible, even for beginners.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it in advance for busy weeknights or special occasions. Just pop it in the oven when you’re ready!
- Customizable: You can easily modify the ingredients to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs.
Variations For Homemade Spinach Lasagna
- Add Protein: For a heartier meal, consider adding cooked ground beef, turkey, or Italian sausage to the cheese mixture.
- Use Different Vegetables: Incorporate other veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers for added flavor and nutrition.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Dairy-Free Version: Substitute ricotta and mozzarella with dairy-free alternatives for a vegan-friendly option.
- Herbed Spinach: Enhance the flavor by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano to the spinach filling.
Tips for the Best Spinach Lasagna
- Use Fresh Spinach: Fresh spinach gives a vibrant flavor and texture. If using frozen, ensure it’s thoroughly drained.
- Customize Your Sauce: Feel free to use your favorite marinara sauce or make your own for an extra special touch.
- Make Ahead: This lasagna can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
Ingredients
For the Cheese Filling:
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic, minced
- Fresh spinach leaves
- Ricotta cheese
- Eggs
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Seasonings: salt, pepper, & Italian seasoning
For Assembly:
- Lasagna noodles
- 24Marinara sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cooking spray
- Parsley, for garnish
How to Make Easy Spinach Lasagna
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and sauté for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and transparent.
Cook the Spinach: Add minced garlic and fresh spinach to the skillet. Start with as much spinach as will fit, cooking until wilted. Continue adding handfuls until all spinach is cooked down. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the chopped spinach, ricotta, eggs, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir until well combined.
Step 2: Assemble the Spinach Lasagna
Cook the Noodles: Prepare lasagna noodles according to package directions.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Drizzle about a tablespoon of olive oil into the bottom of your lasagna pan with 2-3 tbsp of marinara. Spread evenly. This will help prevent the noodles from sticking!
Layer the Lasagna:
- Spread a small amount of marinara sauce on the bottom of the pan.
- Place a layer of cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread 1/3 of the cheese filling over the noodles.
- Top with 1/3 of the marinara sauce.
- Repeat the layering process (noodles, cheese mixture, marinara) until you reach the top, finishing with marinara sauce.
Step 3: Bake the Spinach Lasagna
Add More Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese on top.
Cover and Bake: Cover the lasagna with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Garnish: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Let the lasagna stand for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
Serve and Enjoy!
This easy homemade spinach lasagna is sure to be a hit at your table! It’s cheesy, hearty, and filled with healthy spinach, making it a wonderful option for a vegetarian meal. Pair it with a fresh salad and garlic bread for a complete dinner.
Reheating lasagna can be done effectively to maintain its flavor and texture. Here are a few methods:
Oven Method (Best for Large Portions)
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Lasagna: Place the lasagna in an oven-safe dish. If it’s already in a baking dish, you can leave it there. Add a splash of marinara sauce or a little water on top to keep it moist.
- Cover: Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
- Reheat: Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes if you want a slightly crispy top.
Microwave Method (Quickest)
- Prepare the Lasagna: Place a portion of lasagna on a microwave-safe plate.
- Add Moisture: Add a spoonful of marinara sauce or a few drops of water on top to help retain moisture.
- Cover: Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to keep the steam in.
- Reheat: Heat on medium power for about 2-3 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through. Add more time as needed until heated through.
Stovetop Method (Single Serving)
- Prepare the Pan: Place a skillet over medium-low heat and add a splash of water or sauce to the pan.
- Add Lasagna: Place a slice of lasagna in the skillet and cover with a lid.
- Heat: Cook for about 5-10 minutes, checking occasionally, until heated through.
Tips
- Check Temperature: Ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) for safe eating.
- Avoid Overheating: To prevent the lasagna from becoming dry or rubbery, avoid reheating too long.
- Let it Rest: Allow the lasagna to sit for a minute after reheating for even heat distribution.
Enjoy your delicious reheated lasagna!
Easy Homemade Spinach Lasagna
Ingredients
- For the Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic minced
- 24 ounces fresh spinach leaves
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- For Assembly:
- 1 box lasagna noodles
- 24- ounce jar marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Cooking spray
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and transparent.
- Cook the Spinach: Add minced garlic and fresh spinach to the skillet. Start with as much spinach as will fit, cooking until wilted. Continue adding handfuls until all spinach is cooked down. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cool and Chop: Allow the spinach mixture to cool slightly, then squeeze out excess water and coarsely chop the spinach.
- Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the chopped spinach, ricotta, eggs, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir until well combined.
Step 2: Assemble the Lasagna
- Cook the Noodles: Prepare lasagna noodles according to package directions.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9″x13″ baking pan with cooking spray.
- Layer the Lasagna:
- Spread a small amount of marinara sauce on the bottom of the pan.
- Place a layer of cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread 1/3 of the cheese filling over the noodles.
- Top with 1/3 of the marinara sauce.
- Repeat the layering process (noodles, cheese mixture, marinara) until you reach the top, finishing with marinara sauce.
Step 3: Bake the Spinach Lasagna
- Add More Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the lasagna with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Garnish: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Let the lasagna stand for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Oven Method (Best for Large Portions)
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare the Lasagna: Place the lasagna in an oven-safe dish. If it’s already in a baking dish, you can leave it there. Add a splash of marinara sauce or a little water on top to keep it moist.
Cover: Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
Reheat: Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes if you want a slightly crispy top.
Prepare the Lasagna: Place a portion of lasagna on a microwave-safe plate.
Add Moisture: Add a spoonful of marinara sauce or a few drops of water on top to help retain moisture.
Cover: Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to keep the steam in.
Reheat: Heat on medium power for about 2-3 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through. Add more time as needed until heated through. Stovetop Method (Single Serving)
Prepare the Pan: Place a skillet over medium-low heat and add a splash of water or sauce to the pan.
Add Lasagna: Place a slice of lasagna in the skillet and cover with a lid.
Heat: Cook for about 5-10 minutes, checking occasionally, until heated through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
