Oven-Baked Four-Cheese Lasagna with Spinach and Basil
A comforting Italian-inspired oven-baked lasagna layered with four cheeses, fresh spinach, and fragrant basil, perfect for a hearty family dinner. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 70 minutes pairs sheets, no-boil lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 9 sheets, no-boil lasagna noodles
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 oz softened cream cheese
- 4 cups, chopped fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese, 4 oz softened cream cheese, 1 large egg, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 4 cups chopped fresh spinach, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil until smooth and evenly mixed.
- Step 2: Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 tbsp olive oil. Spread 1 cup marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the dish.
- Step 3: Layer 3 no-boil lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread one-third of the cheese and spinach mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle 2/3 cup shredded mozzarella and 2 tbsp grated Parmesan on top. Spoon 1 cup marinara sauce over the cheese.
- Step 4: Repeat the layering process two more times, finishing with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Step 5: Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Step 6: Let the lasagna rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving to allow layers to set.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Baked Four-Cheese Lasagna with Spinach and Basil take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Oven-Baked Four-Cheese Lasagna with Spinach and Basil?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ricotta cheese from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Baked Four-Cheese Lasagna with Spinach and Basil?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Oven-Baked Four-Cheese Lasagna with Spinach and Basil for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Oven-Baked Four-Cheese Lasagna with Spinach and Basil?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
