Creamy Spinach & Cheese Lasagna
This Creamy Spinach & Cheese Lasagna is a satisfying and hearty dish that beautifully combines fresh flavors with creamy textures. Developed from a blend of a super quick method to skip the hassle of pre-cooking noodles, this recipe layers robust tomato sauce infused with rich spinach and creamy cottage cheese. The taste is so enticing that even those who generally shy away from spinach will be begging for a second helping! It's a perfect family meal or an impressive dish for gatherings, serving ten delightful portions packed with flavor and nutrition.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
frozen spinach
10 ounces (thawed and drained)
cottage cheese
4 cups (regular or low-fat)
egg yolk
1 (raw)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
tomato sauce
3 3/4 cups (or canned diced tomatoes)
shredded mozzarella cheese
4 cups (divided)
uncooked lasagna noodles
as needed (for layering)
parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the thawed and drained spinach, cottage cheese, egg yolk, salt, pepper, 1/4 cup of tomato sauce, and 2 cups of mozzarella cheese until well mixed.
3
In a greased 9x13 inch pan, start layering your lasagna: begin with a layer of tomato sauce, followed by uncooked lasagna noodles (enough to cover the sauce), then spread an even layer of the spinach mixture, another layer of tomato sauce, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat this layering process two more times.
4
For the final layer, place down the last set of noodles, spread the remaining spinach mixture, sprinkle the parmesan cheese, and finish with the rest of the tomato sauce and 2 cups of mozzarella cheese on top.
5
Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Spinach & Cheese Lasagna?
It is a hearty, vegetarian dish featuring layers of uncooked noodles, a rich spinach and cottage cheese mixture, and tomato sauce.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to serve ten people.
Do I need to pre-cook the lasagna noodles?
No, this recipe uses uncooked lasagna noodles to save time and effort.
What type of spinach should I use?
The recipe calls for one 10-ounce package of frozen spinach.
How should I prepare the frozen spinach?
The spinach must be thoroughly thawed and drained before being added to the cheese mixture.
What kind of cottage cheese is best?
You can use either regular or low-fat cottage cheese based on your preference.
Why is an egg yolk added to the mixture?
The egg yolk acts as a binder for the spinach and cottage cheese filling.
How much tomato sauce is needed?
You will need 3 3/4 cups of tomato sauce.
Can I substitute the tomato sauce?
Yes, you can use canned diced tomatoes as a substitute for the tomato sauce.
What is the total amount of mozzarella cheese used?
The recipe requires 4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, divided for different layers.
What size pan is required for this lasagna?
A greased 9x13 inch baking pan is required.
What is the first step in assembly?
The first step is to spread a layer of tomato sauce at the bottom of the greased pan.
How many times is the layering process repeated?
The standard layering process of noodles, spinach mix, sauce, and mozzarella is repeated two more times after the initial layer.
Where does the parmesan cheese go?
The parmesan cheese is sprinkled over the final layer of noodles and spinach mixture.
What goes on the very top of the lasagna?
The top is finished with the remaining tomato sauce and 2 cups of mozzarella cheese.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
How long should I bake the lasagna while covered?
Bake the lasagna covered with aluminum foil for 50 minutes.
How long should I bake it uncovered?
After removing the foil, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.
How do I know the lasagna is finished baking?
The lasagna is done when the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Should I let the lasagna rest after baking?
Yes, allow the lasagna to cool for a few minutes before serving to help the layers set.
Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, this is a vegetarian lasagna recipe.
What are the primary seasonings used?
The filling is seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
How much parmesan cheese is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of grated parmesan cheese.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and a quick meal due to the no-boil noodle method.
Is this dish healthy?
The description highlights that the dish is packed with nutrition and uses spinach.
What category of cuisine does this belong to?
It is categorized as Italian cuisine.
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
While frozen is specified for convenience, you could use fresh spinach if it is cooked down and drained first.
Will people who dislike spinach enjoy this?
The recipe notes that the taste is so enticing that even spinach-skeptics will enjoy it.
Can I add meat to this recipe?
While written as a vegetarian dish, you could add cooked meat to the sauce layers if desired.
What is the main benefit of using cottage cheese?
Cottage cheese provides a creamy texture and heartiness that complements the spinach.