Easy Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna Recipe

Easy Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna

Calling all cheese lovers, vegetarians, and busy weeknight cooks! This Easy Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna is about to become your new go-to comfort food. It’s packed with flavor, simple to prepare, and delivers a satisfying cheesy experience everyone will enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy Does It: This recipe comes together in under 2 hours, with minimal prep and cooking time. No pre-cooking the noodles or spending hours simmering sauce – this lasagna is all about efficiency.
Vegetarian Delight: Meat-free doesn’t have to mean flavor-free! The combination of creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and tangy tomato sauce creates a vegetarian masterpiece.
Cheesy Bliss: Layers upon layers of gooey mozzarella and sharp parmesan cheese make this lasagna a true cheese lover’s dream.
Family-Friendly: This recipe yields 6 generous servings, perfect for feeding a hungry family or gathering with friends.

The Breakdown: Ingredients and Steps

This recipe keeps things simple with readily available ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

Lasagna Noodles: 9 lasagna noodles will form the base of your lasagna structure.
Fresh Spinach: A bunch of fresh spinach adds a pop of green color, nutrients, and a mild flavor that complements the richness of the cheese.
Ricotta Cheese: One container of ricotta cheese provides the creamy base for the spinach filling.
Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese in two parts – half for the filling and half for the topping – creates a delicious cheesy experience throughout.
Egg: A lightly beaten egg helps bind the spinach filling for a cohesive texture.
Seasonings: A pinch of nutmeg and dried basil add warmth and depth of flavor to the filling.
Salt and Pepper: Adjust to your taste preference.
Pasta Sauce: One cup of your favorite marinara or pasta sauce forms the base layer and adds a layer of tangy tomato flavor.
Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan cheese sprinkled on top adds a salty and nutty finish to the lasagna.

Now, let’s get cooking!

Preheat the Oven and Prep the Dish: Get your oven nice and hot at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease a 1 ½-quart casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Cook the Lasagna Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally, until al dente – cooked through but still firm to the bite. This usually takes around 8 minutes. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
Steam the Spinach: While the noodles cook, prepare the spinach. Fill a saucepan with just enough water to reach below the bottom of a steamer insert. Bring the water to a boil. Place the spinach in the steamer insert, cover the pot, and steam the spinach for 2-6 minutes, until tender. Drain the spinach well and squeeze out any excess moisture.
Make the Creamy Spinach Filling: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, ½ cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, the cooked and drained spinach, the lightly beaten egg, nutmeg, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well until thoroughly combined.
Assemble the Lasagna: Now comes the fun part – layering! Spread ¼ cup of the pasta sauce evenly on the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Top the sauce with 3 lasagna noodles. Dollop half of the creamy spinach filling over the noodles, spreading it evenly. Top the filling with another ¼ cup of pasta sauce. Repeat this layering process one more time, using the remaining 3 lasagna noodles, half of the spinach filling, and another ¼ cup of pasta sauce.
Top it Off and Bake: For the final layer, spread the remaining ¼ cup of pasta sauce over the top. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and the parmesan cheese evenly over the sauce. Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Baking Time: Place the covered lasagna in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 25 minutes, or until the lasagna is bubbling and the cheese on top is golden brown and melted.
Rest and Serve: Once the lasagna is baked and golden brown, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the lasagna to set and prevents it from falling apart when you cut into it.

Tips and Tricks for a Perfect Lasagna

Now that you have the basic recipe down, here are some helpful tips and tricks to elevate your Easy Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna:

No-Boil Noodles? No Problem! If you’re using no-boil lasagna noodles, you can skip the pre-cooking step. Simply assemble the lasagna with uncooked noodles and increase the baking time by 10-15 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and cooked through.
Customize Your Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses! Substitute ricotta cheese with cottage cheese for a lighter filling, or add a sprinkle of goat cheese for a tangy twist. You can also use a combination of your favorite melty cheeses for the topping.
Spinach Options: Don’t have fresh spinach on hand? Frozen chopped spinach works just fine! Thaw and squeeze out any excess moisture before adding it to the filling. You can also use a combination of fresh and frozen spinach.
Boost the Flavor: For an extra layer of flavor, add some chopped sun-dried tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms to the spinach filling. You can also stir in a tablespoon of pesto for a vibrant and flavorful twist.
Leftovers? We Got You Covered! This lasagna reheats beautifully. Simply store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Serving Suggestions

This Easy Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna is a complete meal on its own. However, if you’d like to add some side dishes, here are a few ideas:

A Simple Green Salad: A refreshing green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing perfectly complements the richness of the lasagna.
Garlic Bread: Who can resist cheesy garlic bread alongside a comforting lasagna? It’s a classic combination for a reason!
Roasted Vegetables: Roasting some vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts adds a healthy and colorful side dish to your meal.

Conclusion

This Easy Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna is a delicious and satisfying weeknight meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table. With its simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again. So ditch the takeout menus and whip up this cheesy masterpiece – your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

305	Calories
10g	Fat
37g	Carbs
18g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 305
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g	13%
Saturated Fat 5g	26%
Cholesterol 55mg	18%
Sodium 443mg	19%
Total Carbohydrate 37g	13%
Dietary Fiber 4g	13%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 18g	37%
Vitamin C 17mg	19%
Calcium 368mg	28%
Iron 3mg	18%
Potassium 599mg	13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.