Some of the best tips for making spinach lasagna involve ensuring that the spinach and ingredients are in the best condition possible when incorporating them into the recipe. Using fresh ingredients is one of the best ways to put together a great-tasting meal. To help prepare the dish and start the recipe, grease the pan, place the sauce before the noodles and blot the spinach first. Combine some of the ingredients together with the ricotta to mix the flavors. Meat can sometimes work against the other flavors in the recipe.
Using fresh ingredients when making spinach lasagna helps ensure that the completed meal tastes just as fresh. This involves using freshly chopped vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms and onions. Boil the lasagna noodles the day of rather than preparing them a day or two before. It's also best to use fresh tomato sauce rather than what's in a jar.
Whether using a glass or metal baking dish to bake the spinach lasagna, grease it first so nothing sticks. Pay special attention to the corners and along the top edges, which are often skipped. Rather than starting with a layer of noodles, start with a layer of sauce. It prevents the bottom layer of noodles from getting dry and ensures they have flavor on both sides rather than only on the top.
In order to get some of the moisture out, blot the spinach first, whether using just-washed fresh spinach or cooked frozen spinach. There are already enough wet ingredients in the spinach lasagna recipe, so including moisture from the spinach can water down the ingredients and make the meal runny. To blot the greens, place them on one half of a clean, dry kitchen towel, then fold the other half of the towel over them and lightly press to get some of the water out.
Ricotta can taste quite bland when it's not combined with other ingredients. Mix the ricotta with the egg and any spices being used, including salt, basil, pepper, and garlic. It's also a good idea to mix in the spinach and any other vegetables. Blend everything together in a mixer; add a few ingredients in at a time and mix them together before adding in the next few.
Although a standard recipe typically has meat included, it's not necessary to add it to spinach lasagna. The spinach is usually a hearty enough option to replace the meat. In some cases, meat can actually overwhelm the recipe rather than enhance it.
