Nothing quite beats the cozy comfort of a home-baked lasagna that's rich and full of flavor. This Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe blends earthy mushrooms, tender spinach, and velvety cheeses into a luscious dish that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Trust me, once you taste it, you’ll want to make it again and again.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m really excited about sharing this recipe because it manages to be both indulgently creamy and wonderfully fresh with every bite. It’s got veggie goodness, no heavy meat, and a comforting texture that feels like a hug on your plate.
- Fresh ingredients: The mix of cremini and button mushrooms alongside fresh spinach gives it a rich, earthy flavor that stands out.
- Easy layering: Using no-cook lasagna noodles means less fuss and more time to enjoy your kitchen.
- Creamy ricotta blend: Adding a hint of nutmeg and fresh parsley makes the cheese mixture sing with warmth and brightness.
- Perfect bake texture: The white sauce thickens beautifully, and the cheeses top off with a golden crust that tastes as good as it looks.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this lasagna plays a role in creating layers of flavor and texture. The combination of creamy cheeses, fresh veggies, and silky white sauce makes it a crowd-pleaser. Here’s a bit about the key ingredients and why they’re so important.
- Ricotta cheese: This adds richness and creaminess, making the lasagna silky inside.
- Mozzarella cheese: Meltable and stretchy, it creates those irresistible gooey layers.
- Parmesan cheese: Brings a sharp salty punch to balance the creaminess.
- Egg: Helps bind the cheese mixture so it doesn’t slide apart when you slice.
- Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of herbaceous brightness—don’t skip it!
- Nutmeg: Tiny dash, big flavor—enhances the creamy elements with warm, subtle spice.
- Sweet yellow onion: Softens with butter to add natural sweetness.
- Baby spinach: Offers a fresh, mild green taste and packed with nutrients.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Just a pinch to add a gentle heat that wakes up the palate.
- Button and cremini mushrooms: Earthy, robust, and meaty—these mushrooms provide the hearty base for the filling.
- Garlic: The quintessential savory note that brightens all the flavors.
- No-cook lasagna noodles: Convenient and bake-ready without boiling, saving you time and cleanup.
- Butter and flour: Create the roux that forms the base of the white sauce.
- Whole milk: Adds richness to the béchamel sauce making it creamy and smooth.
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper: Essential seasoning elements to bring all the pieces together.
Make It Your Way
This Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe is a great canvas for personal touches. I love swapping up the greens, but you can totally make it your own with simple tweaks that suit your taste buds or dietary needs.
- Variation: When I want a little extra protein, I stir in some cooked Italian sausage or even vegan crumbles, and it still feels indulgent! You could also swap spinach for kale or swiss chard if that’s what you have on hand.
- Dairy-free option: Use plant-based ricotta and mozzarella alternatives, and coconut or oat milk for the white sauce to keep it creamy without dairy.
- Herb swaps: Sometimes I add basil or thyme instead of parsley for a slightly different herbal vibe, depending on what’s fresh and in season.
- Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free no-cook lasagna noodles — just be sure to check cooking times as they might vary.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Together the Ricotta Mixture
Start by combining ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, beaten egg, parsley, a dash of nutmeg, sea salt, and pepper in a bowl. I love this step because stirring it all together smells so fresh and gives you that promise of creaminess in every bite. Make sure your mixture is smooth and well combined without over-beating the egg — just gentle folds to keep it airy.
Step 2: Sauté Onion and Wilt Spinach
Heat butter in a skillet and cook the diced onion over medium heat until soft — about 4-5 minutes. Then add the spinach and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking just until the spinach starts to wilt. This quick sauté deepens the flavors, and you don’t want to overcook the spinach here, or it’ll lose that fresh pop.
Step 3: Cook Mushrooms with Garlic
Increase the heat to medium-high, add the remaining butter, and toss in the mushrooms. Stir occasionally but let them sit a bit to brown well — that caramelization adds serious depth. After about 3-4 minutes, add garlic and season with salt and pepper; cook another minute. Removing excess moisture here is key for a non-soggy lasagna.
Step 4: Make the Creamy White Sauce (Béchamel)
Using the same skillet, melt butter and whisk in flour to create a roux — cook it for 1-2 minutes until it bubbles but doesn’t brown. Slowly whisk in the milk, continuing until the sauce thickens and becomes silky. Season with a dash of nutmeg, salt, and pepper. This sauce is your creamy glue and makes the whole lasagna so luscious.
Step 5: Layer Your Lasagna
Coat your baking dish with cooking spray, then spread some white sauce on the bottom. Layer noodles, then spread ricotta mixture, half the spinach, half the mushrooms, and sprinkle mozzarella. Repeat the layering once, and top with a final layer of noodles and the remaining white sauce. Generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan on top for that irresistible golden crust.
Step 6: Bake and Rest
Bake at 375°F for 35-40 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. The hardest part? Waiting 10-15 minutes before slicing to let it set so it doesn’t fall apart. Trust me, that wait is worth it for perfect slices.
Top Tip
After making this Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe several times, I’ve learned a few key tricks to get the best results every time.
- Moisture control: Mushrooms release liquid while cooking — avoid stirring too often so they brown instead of steaming, which keeps your lasagna from getting watery.
- White sauce consistency: The béchamel should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If it’s too thin, your lasagna can become soggy; too thick, and it won’t spread well.
- Let it rest: This is the game-changer — slicing immediately after baking can cause your layers to slide. Ten to fifteen minutes cool-down makes a big difference!
- Cheese freshness: Always use freshly grated Parmesan and good-quality mozzarella for optimal flavor and melt.
How to Serve Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe
Garnishes
I always finish this lasagna with a sprinkle of fresh parsley—it adds a lovely pop of color and a mild herbal freshness that brightens the rich, creamy layers. Sometimes, I throw on a little extra Parmesan too, if I’m feeling cheesy!
Side Dishes
To keep things balanced, I often serve this with a crisp green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette or some roasted seasonal vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts. A crusty garlic bread on the side? Yes, please.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to bake individual servings in ramekins for an elegant dinner or use a glass dish so guests can appreciate the beautiful layers. You could also top each serving with a small drizzle of truffle oil for a decadent touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover lasagna is fantastic and honestly, often tastes better the next day after the flavors meld. I store it tightly covered in the fridge for up to 4 days, and always reheat it gently to keep the creamy layers intact.
Freezing
I’ve frozen assembled but unbaked lasagna wrapped tightly in foil and plastic wrap, and it reheats beautifully when thawed overnight. You can also freeze individual slices after baking for quick future meals.
Reheating
To reheat, cover the lasagna with foil and bake at 350°F until warmed through—usually 20-25 minutes. For single slices, microwave covered on medium power in short bursts to prevent drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can use fresh spinach, but if it’s larger leaf spinach, I recommend chopping it roughly and cooking it a little longer since baby spinach wilts faster.
You can definitely use traditional lasagna noodles. Just boil them according to package instructions and drain them well before layering to avoid extra moisture in the lasagna.
Yes! Swap the ricotta and mozzarella for plant-based cheese alternatives, use a vegan milk like almond or oat milk for the white sauce, and replace butter with olive oil or a vegan butter substitute. You might also want to omit the egg or use a flax egg instead.
Cooking mushrooms properly to release moisture is key—don't overcrowd the pan and cook until browned instead of steamed. Also, make sure your white sauce isn’t too thin, and drain any excess liquid from vegetables before layering.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe is one of those dishes I keep coming back to, whether for a cozy weekday dinner or when I want to impress friends without too much fuss. It feels special, looks stunning, and most importantly, tastes incredible. So, grab those mushrooms and spinach and give it a try—you'll be glad you did!
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Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Lasagna features layers of no-cook noodles filled with a rich ricotta and mozzarella mixture, sautéed spinach and mushrooms, and a luscious homemade white sauce. Baked until bubbly and golden, this comforting vegetarian lasagna is perfect for a satisfying main meal.
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, plus more for layering and topping
- 2 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 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 pepper, to taste
Vegetable Filling
- 1½ tablespoon butter, divided
- 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
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
White Sauce (Béchamel)
- 2½ tablespoon butter
- 2½ tablespoon flour
- 2½ cups whole milk
- Dash of freshly grated nutmeg
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Others
- No-cook lasagna noodles
- Cooking spray (for baking dish)
Instructions
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, ¼ cup shredded mozzarella, 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, beaten egg, chopped fresh parsley, a dash of freshly grated nutmeg, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Stir well until everything is evenly mixed. Set aside.
- Cook Onion and Spinach: Heat ½ tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until translucent and soft. Add the baby spinach and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Stir continuously for 1 minute until the spinach just begins to wilt. Season with sea salt and cracked pepper to taste. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Set aside.
- Sauté Mushrooms and Garlic: In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add sliced button and cremini mushrooms. Cook without stirring much for 4 minutes to allow browning. Add minced garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook while stirring for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and place mushrooms into another bowl. Set aside.
- Make White Sauce: In the skillet, melt 2½ tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Stir in flour and whisk constantly for 2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually pour in whole milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Continue cooking and whisking until the sauce is bubbly and has thickened. Season with freshly grated nutmeg, sea salt, and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly coat an 8 x 8-inch or similar sized baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Assemble Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of the white sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Layer no-cook lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread a portion of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then half of the sautéed spinach, followed by half of the mushrooms, and sprinkle some shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layering: noodles, ricotta mixture, remaining spinach, remaining mushrooms, and mozzarella. Place a third layer of noodles on top, pour the remaining white sauce over it, and finish by sprinkling extra shredded mozzarella and freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the assembled lasagna in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and the top is golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove lasagna from oven and allow it to cool for 15 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before slicing and serving. Enjoy your creamy mushroom and spinach lasagna!
Notes
- Use no-cook lasagna noodles to save time, but cooked noodles work if preferred.
- For a richer flavor, use freshly grated cheeses whenever possible.
- Make sure to let the lasagna rest before cutting to allow it to set and slice neatly.
- You can substitute cremini mushrooms with portobello or shiitake for a deeper flavor.
- Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle heat or omit if you prefer a milder dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. ¼ of recipe)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
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