Creamy Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

1. Prepare Fresh Pasta, Simple Tomato Sauce, and White Sauce

First, prepare your fresh pasta, simple tomato sauce, and white sauce (Béchamel). Using homemade ingredients will truly elevate the flavor and texture of your lasagna.

2. Cook Spinach

Wash and drain the spinach, then cook it in a skillet over medium heat with a teaspoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt until it’s almost wilted. Add the finely chopped garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic releases its aroma and infuses into the spinach.

3. Prepare Spinach and Ricotta Mixture

Once the spinach is cooked, let it cool. Squeeze out any excess moisture and chop it finely. Mix the chopped spinach with the ricotta cheese, a tablespoon of olive oil, and a dash of salt until well combined.

4. Prepare White Sauce Mixture

In another bowl, combine the white sauce with ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, a pinch of nutmeg, and some salt. This will create a rich, creamy layer that balances the flavors beautifully.

5. Cook Pasta Sheets

Roll out your fresh pasta into sheets about 5-6 inches in size. Cook these sheets in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain, rinse with cold water, and coat them lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.

6. Assemble Lasagna

Prepare a 10x12 inch baking dish by oiling it lightly and spreading a thin layer of white sauce on the bottom. Begin layering your lasagna: start with a layer of pasta, followed by a layer of the spinach and ricotta mixture, then a layer of tomato sauce, and another layer of white sauce. Repeat this process, creating seven layers in total, ensuring you balance the layers to achieve even flavor distribution.

7. Bake Lasagna

Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the top layer, cover the dish with foil, and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the lasagna is bubbling and golden brown on top.

8. Rest and Serve

Once out of the oven, let the lasagna rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together perfectly and makes it easier to slice. Enjoy your creamy spinach and ricotta lasagna, a dish made with love and care.