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4 Cheese Beef Lasagna with Spinach

4 Cheese Beef Lasagna with Spinach
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4 Cheese Beef Lasagna with Spinach is a comforting and elegant layered pasta dish that combines tender ground beef, fresh spinach, and a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and provolone cheeses. This hearty lasagna delivers rich, savory flavors and balanced nutrition, making it a perfect choice for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Sauce

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 24 oz tomato sauce (marinara or homemade)
  • 1 tsp Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cheese Mixture

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup diced provolone cheese
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Vegetables & Pasta

  • 4 cups fresh spinach (or equivalent frozen, fully drained)
  • 9–12 lasagna noodles (no-boil or traditional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and finely chopped onions, sauté until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir in tomato sauce, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes to develop rich flavors.
  2. Cook the Spinach: Wilt fresh spinach in a skillet over medium heat until just soft, or if using frozen spinach, thaw and squeeze out any excess moisture thoroughly to prevent sogginess in the lasagna.
  3. Mix the Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and diced provolone. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well until smooth and evenly blended.
  4. Assemble the Layers: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a spoonful of the meat sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Layer lasagna noodles over the sauce, followed by a layer of the cheese mixture, then spinach, and more meat sauce. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of shredded mozzarella on top.
  5. Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to brown and bubble beautifully. After baking, let the lasagna rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Drain the spinach well to prevent watery lasagna layers.
  • Use freshly grated cheese for better melting and flavor.
  • Don’t over-sauce each layer to avoid sogginess.
  • Let the lasagna rest after baking to set its layers for easier slicing.
  • Consider using no-boil noodles to save time and ensure perfect texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: lasagna, beef lasagna, four cheese lasagna, spinach lasagna, comfort food, Italian, baked pasta

Find it online: https://mealsbymary.com/4-cheese-beef-lasagna-with-spinach/