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Easy Oven-Ready Lasagna with Ricotta, Spinach, and Meat Sauce Recipe

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4.3 from 8 reviews

This Easy Lasagna recipe features layers of seasoned ground beef and Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and a creamy mixture of ricotta, spinach, and cheeses. Oven-ready noodles make the assembly simple, and baking creates a comforting classic Italian-American dish perfect for family dinners.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

Meat Sauce

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 3½ cups marinara sauce
  • ¼ cup water

Cheese Mixture

  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 egg
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Other

  • 12 oven-ready lasagna noodles

Instructions

  1. Cook Meat and Onion: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and finely chopped onion, stirring often, until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary.
  2. Add Seasonings and Simmer: Stir in minced garlic, salt, and Italian seasoning and cook for 1 minute. Then add marinara sauce and water. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to meld the flavors. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
  3. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, thawed spinach, grated Parmesan, heavy cream, egg, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir well and set aside.
  4. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a deep 9x13 inch baking dish.
  5. Assemble Lasagna Layers: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the dish. Arrange 3 oven-ready noodles on top. Spread one-third of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, then add one-quarter of the meat sauce over that. Repeat layering three times with noodles, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce as instructed. For the final layer, place 3 noodles and spread the remaining one-quarter of meat sauce.
  6. Bake Covered: Lightly grease a piece of foil or an oven-safe lid and cover the baking dish. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until noodles are tender. Depending on the pasta brand, baking may take up to 60 minutes. The lasagna may still be juicy, which is normal at this stage.
  7. Add Remaining Mozzarella and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes. Optionally, broil for 2 minutes to brown and crisp the cheese topping.
  8. Rest and Serve: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting time allows excess liquid to be absorbed and ensures clean slices.

Notes

  • Using oven-ready lasagna noodles saves time as they do not require boiling before layering.
  • Thoroughly draining the cooked meat mixture helps prevent a watery lasagna.
  • Spinach adds a nutritious boost; make sure to squeeze out excess water to avoid thinning the cheese mixture.
  • Resting the lasagna after baking is essential to maintain its structure when slicing.
  • You can adjust the spice level by choosing mild or spicy Italian sausage.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and also freeze nicely.
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American, Italian

Find it online: https://avascooking.com/easy-oven-ready-lasagna-with-ricotta-spinach-and-meat-sauce-recipe/