Lasagne Spinach Spirals
Spinach and ricotta rolled lasagne spirals are a delicious, vegetarian dish with cheesy, savory flavors, perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 12 pieces lasagne (uncooked) ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 small onion, finely chopped ⓘ
- 2 (10 oz) packages frozen chopped spinach, drained well ⓘ
- 15 oz low-fat Ricotta cheese ⓘ
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 tsp thyme ⓘ
- 1 dash ground nutmeg ⓘ
- 30 oz meatless spaghetti sauce ⓘ
Instructions
- Drain spinach well, squeezing out excess juice.
- Prepare lasagne according to package directions.
- Rinse and drain the lasagne pieces.
- Place vegetable oil in a medium-sized nonstick skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
- Add onion and sauté until tender.
- Mix in spinach and cook briefly, then set aside and cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine spinach mixture, Ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, egg, thyme, and ground nutmeg.
- Spread the spinach mixture equally on each lasagne sheet and roll up each piece jelly-roll style.
- Place half of the spaghetti sauce in a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish.
- Arrange the spinach lasagne rolls, seam-side down, in the dish.
- Top with the remaining spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese, if desired.
- Bake, uncovered, in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 25 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier filling, consider adding a bit of mozzarella cheese to the spinach mixture. If you prefer a lighter dish, use whole wheat lasagne. To save time, you can use pre-cooked lasagne sheets, but ensure they are not overcooked to retain their shape. For added flavor, a sprinkle of garlic powder or a dash of red pepper flakes can enhance the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your lasagne spinach spirals with a side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness. Garlic bread makes a great accompaniment, and a sprinkle of fresh basil on top just before serving adds a burst of color and flavor. This dish pairs beautifully with Italian recipes like Spaghetti With Fresh Tomatoes And Mozzarella for a complete meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the lasagne in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes, ensuring they are heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Lasagne Spinach Spirals contains roughly 890 calories, with 44g protein, 71g carbohydrates, and 51g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (128% of the Daily Value), calcium (107% of the Daily Value), and protein (89% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1345mg per serving (58% 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 use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Yes, you can definitely use fresh spinach! You'll need about 1 pound of fresh spinach. Sauté it in a little oil until wilted, then drain and squeeze out the excess moisture before mixing it with the cheeses.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the lasagne rolls a day in advance and keep them in the refrigerator. Just add the sauce and cheese before baking, and remember to increase the baking time slightly if baking straight from the fridge.
What can I use instead of Ricotta cheese?
If you don’t have Ricotta cheese on hand, you can substitute it with cottage cheese blended until smooth or a mixture of cream cheese and yogurt. Both options will give you a similar creamy texture for the filling.
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).