If you’re on the hunt for a comforting, yet fresh take on a classic Italian favorite, you’re in for a treat with this Spinach Artichoke Lasagna Recipe. I love this because it brings together the creamy goodness of spinach and artichokes with a simple homemade tomato sauce, layered perfectly between tender noodles and gooey cheese. Stick around—I’m going to share all my best tips so your lasagna comes out just right every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously Creamy yet Light: Using low-fat cottage cheese and lots of spinach keeps it satisfying without weighing you down.
- Easy Layering Process: No-boil noodles and a quick homemade tomato sauce make assembly a breeze.
- Family-Friendly Flavor: My kids go crazy for this one, and I love how it sneaks in wholesome veggies.
- Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals: This lasagna tastes even better the next day and freezes beautifully.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Spinach Artichoke Lasagna Recipe works harmoniously to create layers of flavor and texture that you won’t forget. When shopping, look for fresh baby spinach and good-quality artichokes—these really make a difference!
- Diced tomatoes: Choose good-quality canned tomatoes for a rich, fresh-tasting sauce.
- Fresh basil: Roughly chopped basil adds wonderful herbaceous brightness.
- Olive oil: Use extra virgin for the best flavor, especially in the sauce and for sautéing.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh minced or pressed garlic gives that savory punch you want.
- Salt and red pepper flakes: Balance and a little kick to the sauce.
- Low-fat cottage cheese: Blended smooth, it’s the creamy base that keeps this lasagna lighter than usual.
- Chopped red onion: Adds sweetness and depth when cooked.
- Jarred or frozen artichokes: Quarter if needed, they bring a delicate tangy flavor and lovely texture.
- Baby spinach: High-quality, organic if possible, to keep the layers vibrant and fresh.
- Freshly ground black pepper: To season everything perfectly.
- No-boil lasagna noodles: Saves time and layers beautifully without pre-cooking.
- Shredded fontina or part-skim mozzarella cheese: For melty, gooey cheesy goodness.
Variations
I’m all for making recipes your own, and this Spinach Artichoke Lasagna Recipe is no exception. I’ve tried it with a few twists adding some extra zing or making it more indulgent to suit different moods and occasions.
- Adding protein: Once, I stirred in some cooked shredded chicken into the spinach mixture and it made a fantastic hearty dinner for a cold night.
- Cheese swaps: If you crave a sharper bite, substituting fontina for parmesan or adding ricotta makes the flavor pop in a delicious way.
- Spicy touch: I like upping the red pepper flakes for a subtle heat—my family enjoys this hint of spice with the creamy layers.
- Gluten-free option: Using gluten-free no-boil noodles works like a charm and no one notices a difference.
How to Make Spinach Artichoke Lasagna Recipe
Step 1: Craft Your Homemade Tomato Sauce
Start by draining the canned diced tomatoes in a mesh sieve—you want to catch that extra watery juice so your sauce isn’t too runny. Next, toss your drained tomatoes into a food processor with the fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes. Pulse about 10 times until you get a spreadable, chunky sauce. This quick homemade sauce is the secret that makes the whole lasagna pop with fresh flavor.
Step 2: Whip the Cottage Cheese Until Smooth
Rinse the food processor out, then add half the cottage cheese and blend for a minute until silky smooth. This step makes the cheese layer light and creamy without any lumps, which I always appreciate—it blends so well into the spinach mix.
Step 3: Sauté Spinach, Artichokes, and Onions for Maximum Flavor
Heat olive oil in a large skillet, toss in your chopped onions with a pinch of salt, and cook until translucent (about 4-5 minutes). Then add garlic and cook for just 30 seconds—it’s important not to burn it. Add artichokes and spinach in batches, stirring until everything is soft and much of the moisture has evaporated—this takes about 12 minutes. I found removing excess water here stops the lasagna from getting soggy, which is a game-changer.
Step 4: Blend the Veggies and Combine with Cheese
Pop the spinach and artichoke mixture back into the food processor and pulse until finely chopped but not pureed—you want some texture here! Stir this into the whipped cottage cheese bowl, then add the remaining cottage cheese, seasoning everything with salt and pepper to taste. This mixture is creamy, flavorful, and ready to layer.
Step 5: Layer Your Lasagna Like a Pro
Spread a half cup of your tomato sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish to keep things moist. Arrange three no-boil lasagna noodles on top, overlapping slightly. Spread half the spinach mixture, then half the tomato sauce, and sprinkle with half a cup of shredded cheese. Repeat with another noodle layer, spinach mixture, and cheese (skip the tomato sauce this time). Finish with the last three noodles, the remaining tomato sauce, and the final cup of shredded cheese. Trust me, the layering is so satisfying and the noodles cook perfectly this way.
Step 6: Bake and Let It Rest
Cover the dish with parchment or foil (but don’t let foil touch the cheese—that can cause sticking). Bake at 425°F for 18 minutes, then remove the cover and rotate the pan 180°. Continue baking for about 12 more minutes until the top is golden and spotty brown. Let it cool for about 15 minutes before slicing—it helps everything set nicely so you get clean portions.
Pro Tips for Making Spinach Artichoke Lasagna Recipe
- Drain Your Tomatoes Well: This prevents watery lasagna—letting the juice drain makes a huge texture difference.
- Don’t Over-Purée the Veggies: Aim for finely chopped spinach and artichokes so you keep a nice bite in the filling.
- Use No-Boil Noodles: They save time and absorb sauce perfectly without the hassle of pre-cooking.
- Let It Rest After Baking: Cooling lets the lasagna set up so slices hold their shape and flavors meld beautifully.
How to Serve Spinach Artichoke Lasagna Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a little extra chopped fresh basil over each serving—it adds a lovely pop of color and that fresh herbal aroma that just elevates the dish. Sometimes a light drizzle of good olive oil brings even more richness to the plate.
Side Dishes
My favorite sides are a crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette and some garlic bread to mop up any extra sauce. Roasted veggies like zucchini or asparagus also pair wonderfully if you want to keep it on the lighter side.
Creative Ways to Present
For a gathering, I sometimes bake this recipe in individual ramekins—everyone gets their own perfectly layered mini lasagna, which looks so inviting! Using colorful dishes or garnishing with edible flowers also makes it extra special for celebrations.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover lasagna tightly covered in the fridge, and it actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to mingle. Just reheat individual slices gently in the oven or microwave for perfect comfort food at lunch or dinner.
Freezing
This lasagna freezes beautifully. I recommend slicing it before freezing and wrapping slices individually or covering the whole dish tightly. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake until warmed through—this saved me on many busy nights!
Reheating
To reheat without drying it out, cover the lasagna slice with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes. If you’re short on time, a quick microwave zap with a damp paper towel over the top also works well to maintain moisture.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh artichokes instead of jarred or frozen?
Absolutely—you’ll just need to steam and trim fresh artichokes before using. Be sure to cook them until tender, then chop them similarly to jarred or frozen ones for the right texture in your lasagna.
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Do I have to use no-boil noodles?
No-boil noodles are a convenient shortcut, but you can use regular lasagna noodles if you prefer—just cook according to package directions ahead of time and layer them as usual.
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Is this Spinach Artichoke Lasagna Recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is fully vegetarian and makes for a hearty, satisfying meatless meal thanks to the combination of cheeses, veggies, and tomato sauce.
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Can I make this lasagna vegan?
To make it vegan, swap the cottage cheese and shredded cheeses with plant-based alternatives and verify that your noodles don’t contain eggs. The flavors will be a bit different, but it’s doable with some dairy-free products.
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How long can I keep leftovers in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, leftovers will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. Just be sure to reheat thoroughly before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Spinach Artichoke Lasagna Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes whenever I want something comforting but still fresh and veggie-packed. It’s one of those meals that looks impressive but is surprisingly easy to pull together, and it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. I hope you enjoy making it as much as my family does—I promise it’ll become a favorite in your recipe rotation too!
Print
Spinach Artichoke Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 9 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This healthy and delicious Spinach Artichoke Lasagna combines fresh spinach, tender artichokes, and a simple homemade tomato sauce layered with creamy cottage cheese and melted fontina. Perfectly baked with no-boil noodles, it offers a flavorful vegetarian dish that’s satisfying and wholesome. It’s ideal for family dinners and tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce
- 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Spinach Artichoke Mixture
- 2 cups (16 ounces) low fat cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped red onion (about 1 smallish red onion)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 1 cup jarred or defrosted frozen artichokes, drained, quartered if necessary
- 12 ounces baby spinach, preferably organic
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Assembly
- 9 no-boil lasagna noodles
- 2 cups (5 ounces) shredded fontina cheese or low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella
- Garnish: sprinkling of additional chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Prepare Tomato Sauce: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Drain the diced tomatoes in a fine colander to remove excess juice for about a minute. Transfer the drained tomatoes into a food processor. Add chopped fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes. Pulse about 10 times until the mixture reaches a spreadable consistency, then pour the sauce into a bowl and set aside.
- Blend Cottage Cheese: Rinse the food processor and return half of the cottage cheese (1 cup) into the machine. Blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer this smooth cottage cheese into a large mixing bowl for later use.
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add chopped red onion and ¼ teaspoon salt, stirring frequently, cook until the onion becomes tender and translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook Spinach and Artichokes: Add artichokes to the skillet, then add baby spinach in batches, cooking and stirring frequently until the spinach has wilted. Continue adding spinach until all is incorporated. Cook the mixture, stirring often, about 12 minutes until the spinach significantly reduces in volume and moisture evaporates.
- Combine Spinach Artichoke Mixture: Transfer the cooked spinach artichoke mixture back to the food processor bowl. Pulse about 12 to 15 times to finely chop the mixture without pureeing. Transfer this mixture to the bowl of whipped cottage cheese. Add the remaining cottage cheese and mix well. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Spread ½ cup of the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish. Layer three no-boil lasagna noodles overlapping slightly. Spread half of the spinach cottage cheese mixture evenly over the noodles, followed by ½ cup tomato sauce and ½ cup shredded cheese. Repeat with three more noodles, remaining spinach mixture, and ½ cup shredded cheese. Top with the last three noodles, spread the remaining tomato sauce evenly over noodles, and sprinkle with 1 cup shredded cheese.
- Bake the Lasagna: Cover the lasagna with parchment paper or foil (avoid foil touching the cheese). Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes. Remove the cover, rotate the pan 180 degrees, and continue baking uncovered for another 12 minutes until the top turns spotty brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the lasagna from the oven and allow it to cool for 15 minutes. Garnish with additional chopped fresh basil before slicing and serving.
Notes
- This vegetarian lasagna recipe is packed with fresh ingredients like spinach and artichokes and uses a simple homemade tomato sauce for maximum flavor.
- The dish is best made ahead as it tastes even better the next day once flavors meld.
- Recipe yields one 9-inch square lasagna sufficient for 8 to 9 servings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of lasagna)
- Calories: 384
- Sugar: 6.8 g
- Sodium: 758 mg
- Fat: 18.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 7.5 g
- Protein: 20.8 g
- Cholesterol: 38 mg