Lasagna With Cilantro
A flavorful lasagna layered with rich tomato and mushroom sauce, creamy cheese, and fresh cilantro, perfect for comforting family dinners and entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 1 large can whole tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 small can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 small can tomato paste ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 1 onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 lb. mushrooms, chopped ⓘ
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves, chopped ⓘ
- 3 eggs, beaten ⓘ
- 2 lb. Ricotta or cottage cheese ⓘ
- 1 pkg. thawed chopped spinach, well drained
- 1 bunch cilantro, chopped ⓘ
- oregano, basil, salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1 c. red wine ⓘ
- 2 (12 oz.) packages grated Mozzarella ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Saute chopped mushrooms, onion, and garlic in olive oil until tender.
- Divide this mushroom mixture in half; set one half aside.
- Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, and whole tomatoes to the remaining mushroom mixture in the skillet.
- Stir in oregano, basil, salt, pepper, a bay leaf, red wine, and chopped cilantro.
- Let the sauce simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine beaten eggs, ricotta or cottage cheese, drained chopped spinach, and chopped cilantro.
- Layer the sauce, cheese mixture, and grated mozzarella in a baking dish, repeating layers as desired.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider using fresh herbs instead of dried. If you don't have ricotta, cottage cheese makes a great substitute. For a meatier version, add ground beef or sausage to the sauce. If you're short on time, prepare the sauce ahead of time and let it sit to deepen the flavors, similar to the approach in Rigatoni And Tomatoes.
Serving Suggestions
Lasagna pairs beautifully with a fresh garden salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. A glass of red wine complements the dish nicely. For a vegetarian twist, serve with Creamy Corn Italiano on the side or enjoy it with a slice of Italian Cookie for dessert to round off your Italian dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place individual servings in the microwave or warm the entire dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, covering it with foil to prevent drying out. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Lasagna With Cilantro contains roughly 759 calories, with 28g protein, 82g carbohydrates, and 43g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (379% of the Daily Value), iron (206% of the Daily Value), and vitamin D (149% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 471mg per serving (20% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make lasagna ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the lasagna in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Just extend the baking time by 10-15 minutes if baking straight from the fridge.
Can I freeze lasagna?
Absolutely! Once baked and cooled, wrap the lasagna tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
What can I substitute for cilantro?
If you're not a fan of cilantro, fresh parsley or basil makes an excellent substitute, providing a different but still delightful flavor profile. You can also omit it entirely if preferred, and consider adding more cheese or spices for extra flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).