Spinach lasagne with mozzarella, lemon and pine nuts
A creamy, flavourful spinach lasagne with cheese sauce, mozzarella, spinach, fresh lemon zest, pine nuts and crispy breadcrumbs on top. An easy vegetarian lasagne, perfect for both everyday meals and entertaining.
Spinach lasagne is a delicious, 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, rich lasagne that is both filling and easy to make.
This spinach lasagne recipe is perfect when you want to serve a meat-free dinner with plenty of flavour. The frozen, thawed spinach makes the dish easy to prepare, while pine nuts and breadcrumbs on top provide a crisp, nutty finish.
A good 18 cm saucepan is ideal for making the creamy cheese sauce for this recipe, as it gives you good control over the heat. A chef's knife is useful 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, to make a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Heat the sauce through until it begins to thicken slightly.
- Fold the grated mozzarella into the sauce and stir until the cheese has melted. Season the cheese sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- If needed, squeeze the thawed spinach to remove excess liquid so the lasagne does not become too wet.
- Take an ovenproof glass dish and start by spreading about 1/4 of the spinach across 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 are 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 becomes easier to slice.
Tips for the best spinach lasagne
Squeeze the spinach to remove excess liquid before adding it to the lasagne. This gives you 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 slice 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 leafy flavour, while mozzarella and homemade cheese sauce make the lasagne mellow, 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 crisp texture that makes the lasagne more interesting than a traditional version.
Can you use fresh spinach instead of frozen spinach?
Yes, you can use fresh spinach instead of frozen spinach. Simply sauté the fresh spinach briefly until it wilts, then squeeze out the liquid before using it in the lasagne.
Frozen spinach is easy and practical, however, as 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 very 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.
For a more substantial meal, 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 refrigerated 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 slightly crisp 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 very well with spinach.
To add extra vegetables to the lasagne, you can add courgette, broccoli or leek. For more substance, 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. Ideally, 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, perfect for family dinners, entertaining and meat-free everyday meals.
