Spinach lasagne with mozzarella, lemon and pine nuts
A creamy and flavourful spinach lasagne with cheese sauce, mozzarella, spinach, fresh lemon zest, pine nuts and crispy breadcrumbs on top. An easy vegetarian lasagne that is perfect for both everyday meals and entertaining.
Spinach lasagne is a delicious and simple vegetarian lasagne in which the classic meat sauce is replaced with spinach, creamy cheese sauce and fresh lemon zest. The combination of mild spinach, melted mozzarella and a hint of lemon creates a fresh and rich lasagne that is both filling and easy to make.
This spinach lasagne recipe is perfect when you want to serve a vegetable-based dinner with plenty of flavour. The frozen, thawed spinach makes the dish easy to prepare, while pine nuts and breadcrumbs on top give it a crispy, nutty finish.
For this recipe, a good saucepan 18 cm is ideal for making the creamy cheese sauce because it provides good heat control. A chef's knife is handy for chopping the pine nuts, and a walnut chopping board provides a stable work surface for preparation.
Spinach lasagne recipe
Serves: 4
Preparation: 20 min.
Cooking: 40 min.
Total time: 60 min.
Ingredients for spinach lasagne
- 50 g butter
- 50 g flour
- 1 L whole milk
- 200 g grated mozzarella
- 600 g frozen spinach, thawed and preferably squeezed to remove excess liquid
- Zest of 1 organic lemon
- 6-8 lasagne sheets
- 75 g pine nuts, roughly chopped
- 50 g breadcrumbs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- Melt the butter in a pot over a medium heat.
- Stir the flour into the butter and whisk together to form a smooth roux.
- Add the milk a little at a time, whisking constantly, so the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Heat the sauce through until it starts to thicken slightly.
- Fold the grated mozzarella into the sauce and stir until the cheese has melted. Season the cheese sauce to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- If needed, squeeze excess liquid out of the thawed spinach so the lasagne does not become too wet.
- Get an ovenproof glass dish and start by spreading about 1/4 of the spinach over the bottom.
- Spread a little cheese sauce over the spinach and sprinkle with a little finely grated lemon zest.
- Place a layer of lasagne sheets on top.
- Continue with spinach, cheese sauce, lemon zest and lasagne sheets until all the ingredients have been used.
- Finish the top layer with spinach and cheese sauce.
- Sprinkle the top with roughly chopped pine nuts and breadcrumbs.
- Bake the spinach lasagne in the oven at 200°C for about 40 minutes, until golden on top, bubbling around the edges and the lasagne sheets are tender.
- Let the lasagne rest for 5-10 minutes before serving so it sets and is easier to cut into portions.
Tips for the best spinach lasagne
Squeeze excess liquid out of the spinach before adding it to the lasagne. This gives a creamier, firmer lasagne.
Add the milk a little at a time when making the cheese sauce to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth sauce.
Let the lasagne rest briefly after baking. This makes it easier to cut and gives the layers time to set.
Why is spinach lasagne a good vegetarian lasagne?
Spinach lasagne is a good vegetarian lasagne because it is creamy, filling and full of flavour. Spinach adds substance and a mild green flavour, while mozzarella and the homemade cheese sauce make the lasagne rounded, soft and satisfying.
Lemon zest gives the dish a fresh lift that balances the richness of the cheese sauce. Meanwhile, pine nuts and breadcrumbs on top provide a crispy texture that makes the lasagne more interesting than a completely classic version.
Can you use fresh spinach instead of frozen spinach?
Yes, you can use fresh spinach instead of frozen spinach. Fresh spinach simply needs to be sautéed briefly until wilted, then squeezed to remove liquid before being used in the lasagne.
However, frozen spinach is easy and practical because it is already chopped and quick to prepare. The most important thing is that the spinach does not contain too much liquid when it is added to the dish.
What can you serve with spinach lasagne?
Spinach lasagne can be served on its own, but it also goes really well with a fresh green salad, tomato salad or some crusty bread. A simple salad with lemon, olive oil and freshly ground pepper is especially good for balancing the creamy lasagne.
If you want to make the meal more substantial, you can serve the lasagne with roasted vegetables, a cabbage salad or a light yoghurt and herb dressing.
Can spinach lasagne be made ahead?
Yes, spinach lasagne is well suited to being made ahead. You can assemble the lasagne earlier in the day and keep it in the fridge until it is ready to bake. This makes it ideal for both weeknight meals and entertaining.
If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and reheated the next day. The lasagne can be reheated in the oven so the top becomes lightly crispy again, or gently in the microwave if you are short on time.
Spinach lasagne variations
The recipe can easily be varied to taste. For example, you can add ricotta, feta or parmesan for a more intense cheese flavour. A little nutmeg in the cheese sauce also goes really well with spinach.
If you want to add extra green vegetables to the lasagne, you can add courgette, broccoli or leek. For a heartier dish, you can add mushrooms, lentils or roasted chickpeas between the layers.
Serving
Serve the spinach lasagne hot straight from the oven when the top is golden and the cheese sauce is bubbling gently around the edges. Let it stand for a couple of minutes before serving so the portions hold their shape better.
This recipe gives you an easy, creamy and flavourful vegetarian lasagne that is perfect for family dinners, entertaining and vegetable-based everyday meals.
