Description
A comforting lasagna recipe made with layers of noodles, cheese, and rich sauce, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 lasagna noodles (regular or gluten-free)
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage, crumbled (or ground turkey)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped (or kale, Swiss chard)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (or butter)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups whole milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6 tbsp all-purpose flour (or cornstarch)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil (or butter) over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the crumbled sausage (or ground turkey) to the skillet. Cook until browned and fully cooked through.
- Mix in the chopped spinach, allowing it to wilt slightly before removing from heat.
- In a separate saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Gradually whisk in the flour, creating a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly add the whole milk (or almond milk) to the roux, whisking continuously to create a smooth sauce.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring constantly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
- Begin layering: spread some white sauce on the bottom of a baking dish, add a layer of noodles, then the cheese mixture, followed by the meat and spinach mixture. Repeat until all ingredients are used, finishing with noodles and sauce on top.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Notes
Let the lasagna rest after baking for at least 15 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld and makes serving easier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: lasagna, creamy, baking, Italian, pasta, comfort food
