Spinach Lasagna

 

 Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Lasagna 🍝🍃

Servings: 6 🍽️

Prep Time: 20 minutes ⏱️

Cooking Time: 45 minutes 🔥

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes ⏲️

📝 Ingredients:

For the Lasagna:

12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained 🍝

2 tablespoons olive oil 🫒

1 medium onion, chopped 🧅

3 garlic cloves, minced 🧄

16 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced 🍄

4 cups fresh spinach, chopped 🍃

1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese 🧀

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 🧀

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀

2 cups heavy cream 🥛

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional) 🌰

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 🧂

Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish) 🌿

For the Bechamel Sauce:

4 tablespoons butter 🧈

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 🌾

2 cups milk 🥛

1/2 cup heavy cream 🥛

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 🧂

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

Prepare the Bechamel Sauce:

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it forms a smooth paste. 🌾🧈

Gradually add the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat. 🥛🧂

Sauté the Vegetables:

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. 🧅🧄

Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5-7 minutes, until they release their moisture and start to brown. 🍄

Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until wilted. Season with salt and pepper. 🍃🧂

Assemble the Lasagna:

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). 🏠

In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of bechamel sauce on the bottom. Layer with cooked lasagna noodles, followed by a portion of the mushroom-spinach mixture, a few dollops of ricotta cheese, a sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, and a layer of bechamel sauce. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of sauce and mozzarella cheese on top. 🧀🍝

Bake the Lasagna:

Cover the lasagna with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly. 🍽️🔥

Serve:

Let the lasagna rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and serve hot. 🌿

💡 Tips:

Make-Ahead: You can assemble the lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake. 🧊

Mushrooms: Feel free to mix different types of mushrooms (shiitake, portobello, etc.) for more depth of flavor. 🍄

Add Protein: For extra protein, add cooked chicken or sausage to the layers. 🍗

Enjoy your Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Lasagna! 🍽️😋