Authentic Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna with Tomato Sauce

Authentic Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna with Tomato Sauce is an Italian classic you don't want to miss! Made with wholesome ingredients this is a recipe the whole family will love.

If you prefer meat lasagna try this recipe Authentic Lasagna Bolognese with Bechamel Sauce.

More ricotta recipes to try: Italian Frittata Recipe with Peas and Ricotta, Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Capers, and Baked Eggplant with Tomato Sauce and Ricotta.

If you love sweets with ricotta try these- BEST Authentic Sicilian Cannoli Recipe and Sweet Ricotta Pie!

Why this recipe works

This fresh and flavorful lasagna will leave you feeling satisfied without weighing you down after enjoying it.

This spinach and ricotta lasagna is made of layers of perfectly cooked pasta, sautéed spinach, homemade tomato sauce, and three different cheese varieties, all baked to golden brown perfection.

A delicious vegetarian main course option that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. You can even make it ahead of time. 

It is an indulgent and healthy all-in-one recipe. This meatless lasagna will please everyone at the table.

Simple Ingredients

Only wholesome and fresh ingredients make the BEST Authentic Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna with Tomato Sauce! 

• Lasagna pasta sheets (no boil or cook), or make your own- Authentic Homemade Pasta Recipe
• Sugo al pomodoro 
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Spinach, cooked 
• Whole milk ricotta
• Egg
• Ground nutmeg (optional) 
• Mozzarella cheese 
• Parmigiano
• Basil leaves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

See recipe card for quantities.  

What makes this Spinach Lasagna Recipe Authentic? 

This recipe includes: Homemade sugo al pomodoro (tomato sauce), freshly grated cheeses, fresh ricotta cheese, earthy spinach, and a hint of spices.

Leaving you with a mouthful of savory and delicious goodness. This recipe highlights simple fresh ingredients as traditional Italian recipes commonly do.

If you ever feel like you've ingested a brick bomb after eating a heavy lasagna I promise you won't feel that way after this light and fresh recipe.

It is the true Italian way just like my Nonna used to make for us. 

Homemade Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna Recipe

Lasagna is a comfort food classic, no one can resist all those layers of tender pasta with plenty of delicious cheese. This spinach lasagna contains a generous amount of spinach greens and is loaded with Italian flavors. You won’t miss the meat, I promise!

Why Making Your Own Tomato Sauce is Better

The canned sauces are packed full of fat, salt, and sugar.

That's why it's always better to make your own sauce. You'll eat a much healthier meal, you won't add all the salt, sugar, and fat, and you know exactly what you're eating.

I make a big batch of our Sugo al Pomodoro (Classic Italian Tomato Sauce) and freeze it in portions to always have on hand. You can't beat the fresh taste!

How to Freeze Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

You can freeze lasagna bolognese both uncooked and cooked, whole or in pieces. In both cases you will get an excellent result by following these tips:

Freezing Uncooked Lasagna:

Simply assemble your lasagna in your oven-safe dish and cover it generously with plastic wrap.

When ready to eat the frozen lasagna defrost it the night before so that it thaws perfectly.

You can also pull straight from the freezer and add 30 minutes to the cooking time.

Freezing Cooked Lasagna:

If you have any cooked lasagna that is leftover you can freeze it in portions by wrapping individual slices in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container. Make sure to let the lasagna cool before freezing.

When you want to reheat it, defrost the lasagna a few hours ahead of time and then reheat it in the oven at 400 degrees F for about 10 minutes.

TIP: When reheating lasagna in the oven cover the surface with aluminum foil to prevent it from cooking the top of the lasagna even more.

Tips for Making SPINACH and RICOTTA LASAGNA

• I recommend using whole milk ricotta and mozzarella cheese for the best flavor. That being said. Yes, you can substitute for part-skim versions if you need. The cheese won't melt as nicely since low-fat cheese contains added stabilizers.
• Use freshly shredded cheese, not a bag of pre-shredded cheese.  The bagged shredded cheese from the grocery store often contains anti-caking agents and does not melt smoothly. Read more about you should shred your own cheese HERE.
• If possible make your own red sauce (sugo al pomodoro). It takes 20 minutes and is worth the fresh and light flavor. I make mine in large batches and freeze them in containers. I can pull one out whenever I need it for a recipe.
• Make sure to squeeze all the excess water out of the cooked spinach. This will prevent your lasagna from getting watery as it bakes.
• You can use 2 boxes of frozen spinach instead of fresh spinach. If you use frozen spinach, make sure to squeeze the water out of the spinach after you thaw it.

DO YOU HAVE TO COOK LASAGNA NOODLES?

For this recipe, you cook the lasagna noodles before building the lasagna. This creates a more authentic lasagna recipe.

Cook the noodles in salted boiling water according to the directions on the package, then lay the cooked noodles on a flat surface so that they won’t stick together.

See this post on how to cook pasta perfectly every time.

However, if you are in a pinch you can use no-boil pasta lasagna sheets. Here is what you need to do for that.

How to Substitute No-Boil Lasagna Noodles for Boiled Lasagna Noodles

Using no-boil lasagna noodles decreases the prep time for homemade lasagna by at about 15 to 20 minutes total.

If you use the no-boil variety you will need to add more liquid and cover the lasagna tightly until the end before you brown the cheesy top.

• No-boil lasagna noodles are often thinner than regular lasagna noodles and are already partially cooked in a water bath before they were dried and packaged.

• They don't require boiling, but they need additional liquid to reconstitute them during the baking process. Adding ¼ cup of water to the sauce adds the extra liquid needed for the noodles to cook without making the lasagna dry.

• Lasagnas that contain no-boil noodles should be kept tightly covered with a lid or foil during baking so the steam can help cook the noodles. Take off the cover during the last 5-10 minutes to brown the cheese layer.

CAN I MAKE SPINACH AND RICOTTA LASAGNA AHEAD OF TIME?

Yes! Here are a couple of tips for you.

• This dish can be assembled up to 6 hours before you plan to bake it. Store it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to bake and eat it.
• You can store any leftover lasagna in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

SPINACH LASAGNA VARIATIONS

This spinach lasagna is simply delicious as-is. It is our family recipe and we love it this way! You can add some of your favorite flavors to customize it to your tastes if you like. Here are options for you:

• Meat: Add meat to the red sauce such as crumbled and cooked Italian sausage, cooked ground beef, or diced grilled chicken.
• Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, or carrots.
• Greens: You can substitute kale, escarole, or other cooked greens for spinach.
• Cheese: Try adding some other cheeses such as fontina, provolone, or Pecorino Romano.

Serving Suggestions

Serve it with salad on a weeknight, or alongside a platter of my signature polpette (Italian meatballs) for Sunday dinner. Add some homemade bread and you are all set!

Don't forget dessert: Creamy Frozen Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust and Classic Italian Tiramisu Recipe (Authentic).

See this post for What to Serve with Lasagna (50 Best Side Dishes).

Made with Amore, Elena

From My Cucina to your Table- Mangia! Mangia! (Eat!)

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THIS Authentic SPINACH AND RICOTTA Lasagna makes a great meal to take to a friend in need. Assemble it in a disposable tinfoil container and brighten someones day!

Make sure to leave a ⭐️star rating on the recipe card and comment below if you make the recipe. I love to connect with you through my recipes.

I would love for you to tag me on Instagram @cucinabyelena, so I can see the delicious Italian recipes you make. To get more ideas, follow me on Pinterest.

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