Creamy Spinach and Cheese Lasagna
This delectable Creamy Spinach and Cheese Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food dish that you can easily whip up without the hassle of boiling noodles. Packed with layers of rich ricotta cheese, ample amounts of gooey mozzarella, and nutrient-dense spinach, this flavorful lasagna is not only quick to prepare but also a delightful crowd-pleaser. With every bite, you will experience the perfect harmony of cheesy goodness and flavorful herbs enveloping tender, perfectly cooked noodles. Ideal for family dinners or hearty weeknight meals, this lasagna is sure to become a new favorite in your household.
8
Servings
437
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ricotta cheese
15 ounces (Container)
Shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups (Divided)
Frozen spinach
10 ounces (Thawed and well drained)
Egg
1 (Beaten)
Salt
1 teaspoon (None)
Pepper
1/8 teaspoon (None)
Oregano
3/4 teaspoon (Dried)
Spaghetti sauce
26 ounces (Jarred)
Uncooked lasagna noodles
1/2 pound (Any variety)
Water
1 cup (None)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, the egg, thawed and well-drained spinach, salt, pepper, and oregano. Stir until well blended.
3
In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spread 1/3 of the spaghetti sauce evenly across the bottom.
4
Layer the uncooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, covering as much area as possible. You should place half of the noodles down.
5
Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
6
Repeat the layering process with another 1/3 of the spaghetti sauce, followed by the remaining noodles, and the rest of the ricotta mixture.
7
Top with the final layer of sauce, ensuring the noodles are well covered. Save a bit of sauce to drizzle on top before baking.
8
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
9
Pour 1 cup of water around the edges of the dish to help cook the noodles as the lasagna bakes.
10
Cover the baking dish securely with foil to retain moisture.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
12
After baking, let the lasagna stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving, allowing flavors to meld.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Spinach and Cheese Lasagna?
It is a comfort food dish featuring layers of ricotta, mozzarella, nutrient-dense spinach, and lasagna noodles baked in a flavorful spaghetti sauce.
Do I need to boil the noodles for this recipe?
No, this recipe uses uncooked lasagna noodles which cook in the oven using the moisture from the sauce and added water.
What is the baking temperature for this lasagna?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long does it take to bake the lasagna?
The lasagna needs to bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes while securely covered with foil.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What kind of spinach should I use?
The recipe calls for 10 ounces of frozen spinach that has been thawed and well-drained.
What ingredients are in the cheese filling?
The filling consists of 15 ounces of ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, one beaten egg, drained spinach, salt, pepper, and oregano.
Why is water added to the baking dish?
One cup of water is poured around the edges of the dish to provide the necessary moisture to cook the uncooked noodles as the lasagna bakes.
What size baking dish is required?
You should use a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 437 calories.
How long should the lasagna rest after cooking?
It should stand for 10 minutes before slicing to allow the flavors to meld and the structure to set.
What type of spaghetti sauce should I use?
The recipe calls for 26 ounces of jarred spaghetti sauce.
Is this lasagna recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this is a vegetarian recipe as it uses cheese and spinach without any meat products.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed in total?
You will need 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese in total, divided between the filling and the topping.
What spices are used to season the filling?
The filling is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/8 teaspoon of pepper, and 3/4 teaspoon of dried oregano.
How should the noodles be layered?
Layer half of the uncooked noodles over the first third of the sauce, then add the remaining noodles after the next layer of sauce and cheese mixture.
Do I need to cover the lasagna while it bakes?
Yes, the dish must be securely covered with foil to retain moisture and ensure the noodles cook properly.
Can I use any variety of lasagna noodles?
Yes, the recipe specifies 1/2 pound of uncooked lasagna noodles of any variety.
What is the preparation for the egg used in the recipe?
The egg should be beaten before being mixed with the ricotta and spinach.
How much sauce goes on the bottom of the dish?
You should spread 1/3 of the spaghetti sauce evenly across the bottom of the greased dish first.
Can I make this lasagna for a weeknight meal?
Yes, it is described as a quick-to-prepare and ideal hearty weeknight meal.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
The tags include lasagna, spinach, one dish meal, vegetarian, cheesy, easy dinner, and comfort food.
Is there any sugar or sodium information available?
The provided data does not specify the exact grams of sugar or milligrams of sodium beyond the added salt.
How do I ensure the noodles are fully cooked?
By covering the dish with foil, adding water around the edges, and ensuring the final layer of sauce covers the noodles well.
Can I use fresh oregano instead of dried?
The recipe specifically calls for 3/4 teaspoon of dried oregano, but fresh could be used if adjusted for potency.
What is the purpose of the egg in the ricotta mixture?
The egg acts as a binder to help the cheese and spinach filling hold its shape when sliced.
How much ricotta cheese is required?
The recipe uses one 15-ounce container of ricotta cheese.
Is the mozzarella cheese added all at once?
No, 1 cup is mixed into the ricotta filling and the remaining 1 cup is sprinkled on top.
Is this recipe suitable for a crowd?
Yes, it is described as a delightful crowd-pleaser that yields 8 hearty servings.
What is the main entity of this recipe?
The main entity is the Creamy Spinach and Cheese Lasagna, a one-dish vegetarian meal.