Ingredients
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2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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3 (10-ounce) bags baby spinach
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2 zucchini, cut into ½-inch coins
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1 teaspoon salt, divided
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2 cups ricotta cheese
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2 large egg yolks
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¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
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1 (18-ounce) tube cooked polenta, sliced into 24 pieces
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4 cups (32 ounces) marinara sauce
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1 (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, chopped
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1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1 pound fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
Instructions
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Preheat the oven. Heat the oven to 375°F.
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Cook the spinach. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
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Wilt the spinach. Add half of the spinach and half of the salt. Cook for about 3 minutes, until wilted. Add the remaining spinach and cook for another 3 minutes.
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Drain the vegetables. Transfer the spinach to a colander and press gently to remove as much excess liquid as possible.
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Cook the zucchini. Add the zucchini coins to the same skillet and cook for about 3 minutes. Transfer to the colander and drain off excess liquid.
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Prepare the ricotta mixture. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, egg yolks, nutmeg, and remaining salt. Stir until smooth.
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Start layering. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce across the bottom of a deep 9 × 13-inch baking dish. Arrange half of the polenta slices over the sauce.
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Add the first layer of filling. Spread half of the spinach and zucchini mixture over the polenta, followed by half of the roasted red peppers.
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Continue layering. Add half of the remaining marinara, half of the ricotta mixture, half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan.
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Repeat the layers. Use the remaining polenta, vegetables, roasted peppers, marinara, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan to create a second layer.
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Bake covered. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
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Finish uncovered. Remove the foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes, until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Rest and serve. Remove from the oven and let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
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Drain the spinach thoroughly: Spinach releases a lot of moisture. Removing excess liquid helps prevent watery lasagna.
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Cook the zucchini first: Briefly sautéing and draining the zucchini helps keep the layers from becoming soggy.
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Slice polenta evenly: Consistent slices make layering easier and help the lasagna heat evenly.
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Use a deep baking dish: The multiple layers need enough room without spilling over.
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Let it rest: Resting for 10 minutes helps the layers settle, making cleaner slices.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Rest: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Cuisine: Italian