{Somewhat Healthy} Spinach Lasagna by The Hubby

My hubby makes a delicious spinach lasagna.....and he isn't even Italian!  He has been making lasagna for years, even in college I remember him inviting all of our friends to his house in college and cooking up a storm for us! 

He never makes this dish the same way twice, but I sat at the counter and wrote down all of the ingredients and even took pictures along the way!

We served this to friends earlier this week and they both loved it and their kids devoured it.  It's easy, not too unhealthy, and the perfect make-ahead meal. 

Spinach Lasagna
Serves 8

32 ounce jar of marinara sauce (or make your own)
package of multi-grain, uncooked lasagna noodles
8 ounces of fresh baby spinach leaves
3 cups shredded cheese - we use a combination of mozzarella, Monterey jack, and cheddar
16 ounces fat free cottage cheese
8 ounces part skim ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons dried Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon dried onion
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Salt & pepper to taste
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Make your cheese mixture by combining the cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, dried onion, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese in a large bowl.

Next, in a large 9x13" pan, pour in enough sauce to cover the bottom of the pan. Add a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles.  Break them to fit as needed.  Next add 1/2 of the cheese mixture, a layer of spinach leaves, and then another layer of sauce.  Add another layer of uncooked lasagna noodles, the remaining cheese mixture, and another layer of spinach leaves.  Top the spinach leaves with another layer of sauce and finish with 3 cups of the shredded cheese. 

The sauce will cook the noodles while baking.  Be careful on how much sauce you add to each layer.  If there is too much sauce, it's just too saucy :)

Bake in a 400 degree oven for about an hour.  Check after about 30 minutes as you'll likely need to cover with foil so the cheese doesn't burn.  Make sure you tent the foil over the lasagna so that it doesn't stick to the melting cheese. 

 

Once it is done, take out of the oven and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.  You need to lasagna to set before serving.  Top with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

 



Visit to Baci Italian Bistro

I grew up in a large Italian family who owned an amazing Italian restaurant.  For over 40 years, my Uncle Ray owned Valente’s Italian Restaurant in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.  For as long as I can remember, my family ate countless meals, celebrated birthdays, attended family reunions, and gathered after funerals there.  A few years ago, my great uncle retired and closed the business.  Although I haven’t lived in the Denver area for years, I continue to be on the lookout for a “go to” Italian establishment that I want to visit again and again.   

I may have found this restaurant, right here in the Southeast Valley.  My family visited Baci Italian Bistro in Mesa a couple of weeks ago and it was delicious!  This family owned restaurant exceeded my expectations by delivering quality service, a family friendly atmosphere, and authentic Italian cuisine at reasonable prices.   

My choice for dinner that night was the Pasta Ala Baci – sausage, peppers, mushrooms, and onions sautéed in a marinara sauce served over my choice of pasta.  I’m not a huge fan of mushrooms – so opted against those – and chose a traditional spaghetti noodle. I am, however, fairly picky about Italian sausage as well as marinara sauce.  Both of these in this dish hit the mark for me!   

The hubby enjoyed the Gnocchi Florentine which is baby leaf spinach sautéed in Alfredo sauce and served with gnocchi.  He is a huge fan of gnocchi and was very impressed by this dish.   

One of my boys ordered spaghetti with a meatball from the children’s menu and the other chicken tenders – not sure what was up with the chicken tender order, but he enjoyed it nonetheless! 

My older one was recently introduced to tiramisu – so when that was presented as an option for dessert, it was the number one choice.  The entire family shared the classic Italian dessert and devoured it.

I would highly recommend visiting Baci Italian Bistro – you can find their hours of operation, phone number, and address on their website at www.baciitalianbistro.com.