Make-Ahead Christmas Lasagna with Spinach and Red Pepper
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 to 15 lasagna noodles (oven-ready or par-boiled)
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed very dry
- 1 cup roasted red peppers, jarred and sliced into strips
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Cheese Mixture. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, the beaten egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated. This creates a creamy, stable layer for your lasagna.
- Step 2: Sauté and Season the Spinach. Ensure your spinach is completely dry by squeezing it through a clean kitchen towel. In a small bowl, toss the spinach with a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of Parmesan cheese to give it extra flavor before it goes into the layers.
- Step 3: Begin the Layering Process. Spread about 1/2 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Place a layer of noodles over the sauce. Spread a third of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by a handful of spinach and a few strips of roasted red peppers.
- Step 4: Repeat the Layers. Add a layer of mozzarella cheese, followed by more sauce. Repeat the layers of noodles, ricotta, spinach, peppers, mozzarella, and sauce until you reach the top of the dish. For the final layer, place noodles, the remaining sauce, and a generous topping of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Step 5: Chill for Make-Ahead. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Place it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours. If you are freezing it, omit the plastic wrap and use heavy-duty foil.
- Step 6: Bake the Lasagna. When ready to eat, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the plastic wrap and recover with foil. Bake for 25 minutes covered. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned on top.
- Step 7: Rest and Serve. Let the lasagna sit for 10 to 15 minutes after removing it from the oven. This resting period is crucial as it allows the layers to set, making it much easier to slice clean, beautiful pieces.