Ultimate Creamy Spinach Lasagna Recipe

Indulge in layers of cheesy goodness with this mouthwatering spinach lasagna
There’s something truly magical about assembling a lasagna late at night. The quiet kitchen, the anticipation of flavors melding together – it’s a culinary meditation. This spinach lasagna recipe is perfect for those moments when you want to lose yourself in cooking and create something spectacular.
We’ll be using fresh pasta sheets, high-quality ricotta, and a luscious homemade white sauce to elevate this classic dish. The combination of wilted spinach, creamy cheese, and perfectly al dente noodles creates a lasagna that’s both comforting and sophisticated.
Mastering the Art of Spinach Preparation
The star of our show is spinach, and we want its flavor to shine. Fresh flat or curly leaf spinach provides the best taste and texture. We’ll sauté it with shallots and garlic in a butter-olive oil mixture, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
A crucial step is removing excess moisture from the cooked spinach. This prevents your lasagna from becoming watery and ensures concentrated spinach flavor in every bite. After sautéing, press the spinach in a strainer to extract any remaining liquid.
Crafting the Perfect Cheese Blend
The key to an unforgettable spinach lasagna lies in its cheese mixture. We’re combining ricotta, Parmesan, and eggs for a rich, creamy base. When choosing ricotta, opt for a high-quality brand without additives – it makes a world of difference.
To achieve the ideal texture, we’ll process half the ricotta until smooth and fold in the remaining half. This technique gives you both creaminess and those coveted ricotta curds throughout the lasagna.
Elevating Your Lasagna with Fresh Pasta
While no-boil noodles are convenient, fresh pasta sheets take this dish to new heights. They provide a delicate texture that perfectly complements the rich fillings. Remember to slightly undercook the noodles, as they’ll continue to soften in the oven.
Layering Like a Pro
Now comes the fun part – assembly! Start with a thin layer of white sauce, then begin the alternating layers of pasta, spinach mixture, and more sauce. Aim for 12 layers to create a truly impressive lasagna. Top it all off with extra cheese for that irresistible golden-brown crust.
The Importance of Resting
After baking, resist the urge to dive in immediately. Letting your lasagna rest for 10 minutes allows the layers to set, making it easier to slice and serve. This brief pause also allows the flavors to meld further, resulting in a more cohesive and delicious dish.
A Note for Red Sauce Lovers
While this recipe focuses on a white sauce base, feel free to incorporate some tomato sauce between layers if desired. It adds a tangy contrast that some find irresistible.
Ultimate Creamy Spinach Lasagna Recipe
Ingredients
For the Spinach:
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot, finely minced (about 1/2 cup)
- 6 medium garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 pounds fresh flat or curly spinach leaves, washed and dried
For the Ricotta:
- 2 pounds fresh ricotta cheese (see notes)
- 2 large eggs
- 4 ounces finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
For the White Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 quart (4 cups) whole milk
- 12 ounces grated low moisture mozzarella cheese
- 12 ounces grated Comté, Gruyère, or Emmentaler cheese
For Assembly:
- 1 1/2 pounds (enough sheets to make 12 layers) fresh lasagna noodles
Directions
- For the Spinach: Heat olive oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add shallots and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add spinach in batches, stirring until wilted. Cook until moisture evaporates and pan bottom is dry. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Transfer spinach to a fine mesh strainer and press out excess moisture with a rubber spatula. Let spinach continue to drain while preparing the ricotta mixture.
- For the Ricotta: In a food processor, combine half of the ricotta, eggs, Parmesan, and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper. Process until smooth, about 1 minute.
- Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Pulse spinach in food processor until finely chopped. Fold spinach and remaining ricotta into the ricotta mixture.
- For the White Sauce: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook, whisking constantly, until pale golden, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 of mozzarella and Comté cheese until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- To Assemble: Preheat oven to 400°F. Cook pasta sheets in boiling salted water for 45 seconds. Rinse under cool water and lay on clean kitchen towels.
- Spread a thin layer of white sauce in a lasagna pan. Layer noodles, 1/12th of spinach mixture, and 1/12th of remaining white sauce. Repeat for 12 layers.
- Top with remaining spinach mixture, cheese, and white sauce. Spread evenly with a rubber spatula.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until bubbly and lightly browned, about 20 minutes more. Rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Choose a high-quality ricotta like Calabro, which contains only milk, salt, and an acid or starter. If unavailable, substitute with cottage cheese.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
742 | Calories |
39g | Fat |
58g | Carbs |
41g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings: 8 to 10 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 742 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 39g | 50% |
Saturated Fat 21g | 105% |
Cholesterol 196mg | 65% |
Sodium 954mg | 41% |
Total Carbohydrate 58g | 21% |
Dietary Fiber 3g | 10% |
Total Sugars 8g | |
Protein 41g | |
Vitamin C 10mg | 51% |
Calcium 1003mg | 77% |
Iron 7mg | 37% |
Potassium 943mg | 20% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |