There’s something utterly comforting about layers of creamy cheese, tender mushrooms, and vibrant spinach baked into a lasagna. This Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe strikes the perfect balance between rich and fresh, making it a standout on any weeknight or special occasion table.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m always drawn to recipes that combine simple ingredients into something special, and this lasagna nails that perfectly. The way the creamy ricotta layers melt with sautéed mushrooms and spinach creates a harmony of flavors that feels both indulgent and nourishing.
- Rich Creamy Texture: The blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and béchamel white sauce gives you that luscious, dreamy lasagna creaminess you crave.
- Mushroom & Spinach Depth: Sautéed mushrooms add earthiness while spinach keeps it fresh and vibrant, making every bite interesting.
- Time-Saving No-Cook Noodles: Using no-bake noodles cuts down on prep time without sacrificing texture or flavor.
- Personalizable and Versatile: You can easily tweak the flavors or cheese to suit your taste, making it a recipe you'll revisit again and again.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe plays a role in bringing balance and depth. Here’s why I love these picks and a few shopping tips to help you get it right.
- Ricotta Cheese: It provides a creamy base with a mild tang, perfect for mixing with herbs and eggs to bind the layers together.
- Mozzarella: Melted mozzarella offers that gooey, stringy texture we all associate with lasagna’s comfort factor.
- Parmesan: Using freshly grated Parmesan adds a sharp, nutty finish that lifts every bite.
- Egg: Helps stabilize the ricotta mixture, so it sets beautifully when baked.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a burst of bright, herbal freshness — it’s a subtle flavor booster and lovely garnish.
- Nutmeg: A tiny dash in the cheese and sauce layers brings warmth and depth without overpowering.
- Butter: Essential for sautéing veggies and making the béchamel — it creates a silky, rich mouthfeel.
- Onion & Garlic: These aromatics add savory sweetness and depth to the mushroom and spinach layers.
- Spinach: Baby spinach wilts quickly and adds vibrant color plus a mild earthy note.
- Mushrooms (Button & Cremini): Using two varieties layers in complexity — button mushrooms are delicate, cremini more robust.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch gives a subtle kick that brightens the dish.
- No-Cook Lasagna Noodles: They save time without compromising the lasagna’s tender yet satisfying bite. Just ensure they’re fully covered with sauce before baking.
- Flour & Milk: The flour thickens the milk into a creamy béchamel sauce, which ties all the elements together with luscious richness.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite parts about this Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I like to swap out the spinach for kale sometimes or add some sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy flair.
- Variation: I've made this with vegan ricotta and cashew béchamel and it turned out amazing, perfect for dairy-free friends.
- Seasonal Twist: Try adding roasted butternut squash or sautéed zucchini to amp up the veggie content.
- Cheese Swap: Feel free to add provolone or gouda for a smokier flavor profile.
- Spice it Up: If you like a little heat, add more crushed red pepper or even a touch of smoked paprika.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up the Ricotta Mixture
I start by combining ricotta, a bit of mozzarella, parmesan, a beaten egg, fresh parsley, and a pinch of nutmeg in a bowl. Stir it all until it’s silky smooth — this cheesy mixture is going to be your lasagna’s creamy heart, so make sure it’s well blended and seasoned with salt and pepper. It really helps if the cheeses are at room temperature, so they blend easily.
Step 2: Sauté Onions and Spinach to Perfection
In a large skillet, melt half the butter and cook diced onions gently over medium heat until they soften and start to turn translucent—about 4-5 minutes. Then, toss in the spinach and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Keep everything moving — the spinach wilts fast! Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
Step 3: Cook Mushrooms with Garlic
Using the same skillet, heat the remaining butter and add your sliced mushrooms. Don’t stir them constantly, let them brown a little—it helps develop rich flavors. After about 3-4 minutes, toss in the minced garlic and season everything. Cook for another minute, then set them aside in a bowl separately.
Step 4: Make That Velvety White Sauce
This part is pure magic. Melt the last of the butter, whisk in flour, and cook it for a minute to get rid of the raw taste. Gradually add milk while whisking, cooking until it bubbles and thickens into a creamy béchamel. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper — taste as you go because seasoning is everything here.
Step 5: Assemble Your Lasagna
Start by spreading a little white sauce on the bottom of your baking dish. Layer no-boil noodles, then spread ricotta mixture, half the spinach, half the mushrooms, and a sprinkle of mozzarella. Repeat for the second layer. For the final layer, cover noodles with the remaining white sauce and top with more mozzarella and parmesan for a golden-bubbly crust.
Step 6: Bake and Let it Rest
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 35-40 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling. Once out of the oven, resist the urge to dive in immediately — let it rest for 10-15 minutes. This helps the layers set, so your slices hold together when you serve.
Top Tip
After making this Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe several times, I’ve picked up a few tricks to keep it foolproof and delicious every single time.
- Sauté Mushrooms Slowly: Let your mushrooms brown without constant stirring to get that deep umami flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Rest: Cooling the lasagna after baking helps keep it from collapsing when you slice it.
- Season Everything Well: The key to flavor layered dishes like this is seasoning each component — don’t be shy with salt and pepper at every step.
- Béchamel Consistency: If your white sauce looks too thick, whisk in a splash more milk off-heat; if it’s too thin, cook slightly longer to reduce.
How to Serve Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is my go-to garnish here — it adds a pop of color and herbaceous brightness that lightens the dish. Sometimes I also sprinkle a touch of extra parmesan for that salty sparkle on top.
Side Dishes
I like pairing this lasagna with a crisp simple green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette to contrast its creamy richness. Roasted garlic bread or a crunchy focaccia also makes for an irresistible combo.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve baked the lasagna in smaller individual ramekins which makes serving elegant and portions perfect. You could also layer it in a clear glass dish to show off those beautiful layers—always a crowd-pleaser!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover lasagna covered tightly in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual slices in the oven or microwave, and it tastes almost as good as fresh.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully — I assemble it in an aluminum pan, freeze before baking, then thaw in the fridge overnight before baking as instructed. It’s a great way to prep ahead for busy weeks.
Reheating
To reheat, I like to cover the lasagna with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until heated through (about 20 minutes). Removing the foil for the last 5 minutes crisps up the top nicely again.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Just swap the no-boil lasagna noodles for gluten-free no-cook noodles, or use thinly sliced zucchini or eggplant in between the layers for a grain-free version.
You can use regular lasagna noodles, just boil them according to package instructions before assembling. They’ll work just as well in this recipe — just make sure to drain and cool them before layering.
Yes! You can assemble the entire lasagna the night before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. Then bake it fresh the next day, adding a few extra minutes if needed since it will be cold.
You want to see the sauce bubbling around the edges and the top golden brown. If the edges start browning too fast before bubbling, cover loosely with foil to prevent burning while it finishes.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe has become one of my kitchen favorites because it’s cozy, flavorful, and just feels like a hug on a plate. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends (or yourself!), I hope it fills your home with warmth and tasty memories. Give it a shot—you might find it’s your next go-to lasagna!
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Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Total Time: 100 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Lasagna is a comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring layers of no-cook lasagna noodles, a rich ricotta and mozzarella cheese blend, sautéed spinach and mushrooms, and a smooth homemade white sauce. Baked until bubbly and golden, it's an elegant yet approachable vegetarian main course perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella (plus more for layers and topping)
- 2 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan (plus more for topping)
- 1 small egg (beaten)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, plus more for garnish)
- Dash of freshly grated nutmeg
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
Vegetables
- ½ small sweet yellow onion (diced)
- 2 large handfuls baby spinach
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 8 oz button mushrooms (sliced)
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms (sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
White Sauce
- 2½ tablespoon butter (divided)
- 2½ tablespoon flour
- 2½ cups whole milk
- Dash of freshly grated nutmeg
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
Other
- No-cook lasagna noodles
Instructions
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, ¼ cup shredded mozzarella, 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan, beaten egg, chopped parsley, a dash of nutmeg, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir well to blend all ingredients together and set aside.
- Sauté Onion and Spinach: Heat ½ tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until softened. Add baby spinach and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes; cook while stirring constantly for 1 minute until spinach just begins to wilt. Season with sea salt and pepper, transfer to a bowl, and set aside.
- Cook Mushrooms and Garlic: In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add sliced button and cremini mushrooms and cook without stirring frequently for 3 to 4 minutes to develop color. Add minced garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook while stirring constantly for 1 minute. Remove from heat and place mushrooms in a separate bowl.
- Make White Sauce: Heat remaining 2½ tablespoons butter in the skillet over medium-high heat until melted. Whisk in the flour and continuously stir for 1 to 2 minutes to cook the flour. Gradually whisk in whole milk and cook over medium heat, whisking frequently, until the sauce becomes bubbly and thickens. Season with nutmeg, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Remove from heat.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly coat an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Assemble Lasagna: Spoon a thin layer of white sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Layer no-cook lasagna noodles to cover the base. Spread a portion of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles, then top with half of the sautéed spinach, half of the cooked mushrooms, and a light sprinkling of shredded mozzarella. Repeat layering with noodles, ricotta, spinach, mushrooms, and mozzarella. Finish with a final layer of noodles, the remaining white sauce, and sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella and parmesan on top.
- Bake: Place the lasagna in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes until bubbling and the top is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the lasagna cool for 10 to 15 minutes to set. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top, slice, and serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, use freshly grated parmesan rather than pre-grated.
- If you prefer, cook the no-cook lasagna noodles in boiling water before assembling for a softer texture.
- Substitute whole milk with 2% milk for a slightly lighter sauce.
- Use a mix of different mushrooms for added depth of flavor.
- Letting the lasagna rest after baking helps it hold together when slicing.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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