Spinach and Cheese Lasagna is a vegetarian lasagna with layers of noodles, mozzarella cheese, and marinara with a seasoned creamy spinach and cheese filling.
12ouncesfrozen chopped spinachthawed and squeezed dry
24ouncessmall curd cottage cheese
1egg
¼cupgrated Parmesan cheese
1tablespoondried oregano
1teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonground black pepper
½teaspoonground nutmeg
For the Lasagna:
36ounceshomemade or store bought marinara sauceless if you prefer a more cheesy vs. saucy lasagna; recommended Rao's Homemade Marinara
4cupsshredded mozzarella cheesesee note
½cupgrated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook the lasagna noodles as directed on the package to al dente. Use the lower time of the range provided or even a minute less than the lower limit. For me this equates to about 8 or 9 minutes.
12 lasagna noodles
When the noodles are done, lay them in a single layer on pieces of waxed paper to cool.
Make the Filling:
Make sure the spinach is well drained. This may require squeezing it in a thin kitchen towel to remove all of the moisture.
Place the filling ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth.
24 ounces small curd cottage cheese, 1 egg, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 12 ounces frozen chopped spinach
Assemble the Lasagna:
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Spread about 1 cup of sauce over the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish then beginning layering: 3 noodles, sauce to cover, ⅓ of the cottage cheese mixture,1 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers. If your pan is not deep enough for 4 layers, just do 3.
For the final layer, top with lasagna noodles, sauce, and then 1 cup mozzarella and some Parmesan.
If the pan is full, place it on a baking sheet lined with foil because it may spill over the sides. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until the cheese begins to brown and the sauce is bubbling.
Remove dish from oven and let rest at least 15 minutes before cutting.
Notes
I recommend buying a 1 pound block of mozzarella cheese and shredding it yourself. I sometimes use close to the entire pound because my family prefers it extra cheesy.To make ahead, assemble the lasagna but do not bake it, then refrigerate or freeze. If you make ahead and refrigerate, bake for 1 hour. If you make ahead and freeze, it may take up to 90 minutes or more to bake. I do not recommend freezing gluten free rice lasagna noodles. The freeze/thaw process makes them mushy.You're Gonna Bake It After Allbakeitafterall.com