Savory Spinach Ricotta Lasagna: A Family Favorite Delight 🍽️✨

Lasagna Surprise Recipe

Overview:

Lasagna Surprise is a beloved family favorite, cherished by both kids and adults alike. This delectable dish is a harmonious blend of flavors, featuring layers of savory meat, creamy cheeses, and wholesome spinach, all nestled between tender lasagna noodles. With its simple preparation and satisfying taste, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family gatherings. Serve it alongside a crisp salad and warm garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal. Plus, it freezes beautifully, making it a convenient option for meal prep or stocking your freezer for future cravings.

• Cuisine: European 🍽️
• Category: One Dish Meal 🍲
• Keywords: Kid Friendly, Weeknight, Oven, Freezer, Easy 🌟
• Total Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes ⏱️
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup diced onion 🧅
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 🧄
• 2 cups ground beef 🥩
• 2 cups Italian sausage, removed from casings 🌭
• 1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese 🧀
• 1 container (16 ounces) cottage cheese 🏡
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 🌿
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided 🧀
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten 🥚
• Lasagna noodles, cooked according to package instructions 🍝
• 1 jar (24 ounces) spaghetti sauce 🍝
• Olive oil, for cooking 🫒

Instructions:

1. Prepare Meat Sauce:

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   • In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sauté until fragrant and translucent.
   • Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the pan, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink.
   • Pour spaghetti sauce into the pan, stirring to combine. Simmer the sauce for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

2. Prepare Cheese Mixture:

   • In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, thawed spinach, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and beaten eggs. Mix until well combined.

3. Assemble Lasagna:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • In a 9×13 inch baking dish (or smaller dishes if needed), spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
   • Arrange half of the cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
   • Spread half of the remaining meat sauce over the noodles.
   • Spoon the spinach and cheese mixture evenly over the sauce layer.
   • Sprinkle half of the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
   • Repeat the layers: noodles, sauce, cheese mixture, and mozzarella cheese.

4. Bake:

   • Cover the baking dish with foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray, to prevent sticking.
   • Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until the lasagna is hot and bubbly.

5. Final Touch:

   • Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the lasagna.
   • Return the dish to the oven and bake, uncovered, for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.

6. Rest and Serve:

   • Allow the Lasagna Surprise to cool for about 15 minutes before serving. This helps the layers to set and makes it easier to slice.
   • Serve slices of warm, comforting lasagna alongside your favorite sides, such as a crisp green salad and garlic bread.

Storage and Serving Tips:

• Freezing Instructions:
  • To freeze the lasagna, allow it to cool completely after baking.
  • Wrap the cooled lasagna tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. Label the container with the date and contents.
  • Freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheating:
  • To serve from frozen, thaw the lasagna overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through, about 1 hour. Alternatively, you can microwave individual servings for a quick meal.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 562.9
• Total Fat: 27.4g
  • Saturated Fat: 12.3g
• Cholesterol: 114.6mg
• Sodium: 1015.5mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 47.5g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2.6g
  • Sugar: 13.4g
• Protein: 31g

Lasagna Surprise is not only a crowd-pleaser but also a convenient make-ahead meal that’s sure to become a staple in your recipe repertoire. Enjoy the layers of flavor and the joy of sharing this comforting dish with your loved ones! 🍽️✨