Classic Canadian Spinach Lasagna Recipe

Welcome to a taste of home with my recipe for Traditional Canadian Spinach Lasagna. This hearty and flavorful dish is a staple at our family gatherings and cozy Sunday dinners. With its layers of rich meat sauce, creamy cottage cheese and spinach filling, and melty mozzarella, this lasagna is a true crowd-pleaser that brings everyone together at the table.

The magic of this dish lies in the deeply browned beef anchoring each layer with its savory notes, creating a symphony of flavors that will have everyone coming back for more. Whether it’s the comforting aroma wafting through the kitchen or the satisfied smiles around the table, this Traditional Canadian Spinach Lasagna is sure to become a favorite in your home just as it is in mine.

So, gather your loved ones, roll up your sleeves, and let’s create a culinary masterpiece together. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or simply craving some homemade comfort food, this lasagna is a delicious way to savor the flavors of Canada and build lasting family traditions. Let’s dig in and enjoy the warmth and love that this Traditional Canadian Spinach Lasagna brings to every bite.

Quick Benefits

• Creamy and melty finish from the combination of cottage cheese and sliced mozzarella
• Convenient to prepare in advance and freeze for later baking
• Firmer baked texture by thoroughly draining and wringing out the spinach
• Versatile recipe that allows for customization with ingredient swaps like ground turkey, ricotta, or additional vegetables

Why You’ll Love This Classic Canadian Spinach Lasagna Recipe Recipe

• Family Favorite: This Traditional Canadian Spinach Lasagna is a comforting classic loved by all, perfect for family gatherings and cozy Sunday dinners.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Sturdy layers of noodles, rich meat sauce, savory spinach and cottage cheese filling, and plenty of gooey mozzarella make this lasagna a true crowd-pleaser.
• Versatile: You can customize this recipe to your liking by swapping ingredients like ground turkey for beef, ricotta for cottage cheese, and adding mushrooms or zucchini for extra vegetables.
• Make-ahead and Freeze: You can assemble the lasagna in advance, freeze it, and bake it later for a convenient meal option. Perfect for meal prepping.
• Balanced Meal: Pair a generous square of this lasagna with garlic bread and a crisp green salad for a perfectly balanced meal. It also goes well with roasted vegetables or a tangy vinaigrette-based slaw.
• Canadian Twist: While lasagna has Italian roots, this Canadian version honors hearty home-style recipes that are potluck and Sunday supper favorites across the country. It’s a dish that connects generations and builds family traditions.
• Creamy and Melty: Cottage cheese in the spinach filling and plenty of sliced mozzarella create a creamy and melty finish that is irresistible.
• Convenient Leftovers: Cool, portion, and tightly wrap leftovers before freezing for future meals. Individual servings make reheating quick and easy.
• Soul-Warming: Savor a slice of this lasagna and share it with loved ones. Canadian lasagna is all about feeding the soul and bringing everyone together at the table.

Ingredients for Classic Canadian Spinach Lasagna Recipe

Meat Filling

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 kg ground beef
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Salt, to taste
• 2 cups (500 mL) homemade tomato sauce

Spinach Filling

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 4 eggs
• 500 g frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 litre cottage cheese

Assembly

• Prepared spinach filling
• 650 g mozzarella cheese, sliced
• Prepared meat filling
• 1/2 cup homemade tomato sauce
• 16 cooked lasagna noodles

Pro Tips for Classic Canadian Spinach Lasagna Recipe

Pro Tip 1: To enhance the flavor of the meat sauce, brown the ground beef well with the minced garlic, salt, and pepper. This step adds depth and richness to the lasagna’s layers, making each bite more satisfying.

Pro Tip 2: When working with frozen spinach, make sure to thoroughly drain and wring it out before adding it to the cottage cheese filling. Removing excess moisture ensures that the spinach layer holds up well during baking, preventing a soggy lasagna.

Pro Tip 3: For meal prep or future servings, assemble the lasagna, wrap it tightly, and freeze it for later baking. Adjust the baking time accordingly when baking from frozen to ensure even heating throughout the dish. Individual portions can be easily reheated straight from the freezer for a quick and hearty meal.

How to Make Classic Canadian Spinach Lasagna Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Meat Filling

Brown ground beef and minced garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. Break up the meat and season with salt and pepper. Mix 4 cups of cooked beef with 2 cups of homemade tomato sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 2: Prepare Spinach Filling

Using a clean tea towel, squeeze the thawed spinach to remove excess liquid. In a mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, drained spinach, eggs, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix until evenly combined.

Step 3: Assemble Lasagna

1. Spread 1/2 cup of homemade tomato sauce on the bottom of an 11 x 33 cm casserole dish.
2. Layer 4 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
3. Spread 1 cup of meat sauce lightly over the noodles, followed by another 4 noodles.
4. Distribute 1 1/4 cups of meat sauce over the second noodle layer and top with mozzarella cheese slices.
5. Place 4 more noodles on top, cutting smaller pieces to fit the pan.
6. Evenly spread the spinach filling mixture over this layer and add another 4 noodles.
7. Spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce over the final noodle layer.
8. Generously top with remaining mozzarella cheese slices to cover the surface.

Step 4: Baking from Frozen

Wrap the assembled lasagna tightly in plastic wrap, label with date, and freeze. To bake from frozen, preheat oven to 175°C. Bake covered with foil for 120–150 minutes until bubbly and cheese on top begins to brown. Remove foil if needed to prevent over-browning.

Step 5: Baking Fresh

Preheat oven to 175°C. Bake covered lasagna for 75 minutes until bubbling and cheese starts to brown, removing foil if necessary towards the end.

Step 6: Freezing Leftovers

Divide the cooled leftover lasagna into individual servings. Wrap each piece securely, label with the date, and freeze for easy single portions.

Storage Tips

After baking the Traditional Canadian Spinach Lasagna, allow it to cool completely before storing. Once cooled, wrap individual portions tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you plan to freeze leftovers, cut the lasagna into slices, double wrap them to prevent freezer burn, and store them in the freezer. You can reheat the frozen lasagna slices directly from the freezer in the oven or microwave for a quick and hearty meal.

To ensure a firmer baked texture in the lasagna, make sure to drain and wring the thawed spinach thoroughly before incorporating it into the recipe. This step helps remove excess moisture from the spinach. For a twist on the classic recipe, you can swap ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter profile, use ricotta instead of cottage cheese, add mushrooms or zucchini to the meat sauce for extra vegetables, or opt for pre-shredded mozzarella if fresh mozzarella is not available.

Serve the Traditional Canadian Spinach Lasagna with garlic bread, a crisp green salad, roasted seasonal vegetables, or a tangy vinaigrette-based slaw for a well-balanced meal. This comforting dish is perfect for family gatherings, cozy Sunday dinners, or special occasions, as it brings everyone together at the table to enjoy a hearty and delicious meal.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you prefer a lighter meat option, you can easily substitute ground turkey for the ground beef in this lasagna recipe. The turkey will provide a leaner profile while still adding great flavor to the dish.

For a different texture and taste, ricotta cheese can be used as a substitute for cottage cheese in the spinach filling. Ricotta will give a creamier consistency compared to the cottage cheese, adding a slightly different richness to the dish.

If you are unable to find fresh mozzarella, using pre-shredded mozzarella cheese will work well in this recipe. The pre-shredded cheese will still melt beautifully and provide that gooey, cheesy layering effect in the lasagna.

Serving Suggestions

For a fun and interactive serving suggestion, consider setting up a lasagna bar for your next gathering. Prepare the traditional Canadian spinach lasagna as directed, but instead of assembling it all at once, set out the individual components in bowls – cooked noodles, meat filling, spinach filling, cottage cheese, and sliced mozzarella. Let your guests build their own personalized mini lasagnas with their favorite layers and amounts, then bake them in individual ramekins for a unique and customizable dining experience.

To elevate your leftovers, transform them into handheld lasagna sliders. Cut the chilled lasagna into smaller squares, sandwich them between garlic bread slices, and grill them until golden and crispy. Serve these cheesy and indulgent sliders as a delicious snack or a creative appetizer for your next casual get-together.

FAQs for Classic Canadian Spinach Lasagna Recipe

Can I freeze this lasagna for baking later?

Yes, assemble the layers, wrap tightly, and freeze for baking later; adjust baking time to ensure even heating from frozen.

How do I ensure a firmer texture in the spinach filling?

Drain and wring the thawed spinach thoroughly before mixing to remove excess moisture, ensuring a firmer baked texture.

Can I freeze leftovers for future meals?

Yes, cool, portion, and tightly wrap leftovers before freezing. Individual servings make for convenient future meals.

What are some recommended side dishes to serve with this lasagna?

This lasagna pairs well with crisp green salads, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Conclusion

As you savor a slice of this comforting and flavorful Traditional Canadian Spinach Lasagna, remember that it’s more than just a dish—it’s about creating lasting memories with loved ones around the table. This hearty and delicious lasagna has the power to bring generations together and build cherished family traditions.

Whether you follow the recipe to a tee or add your own unique twist, this lasagna is sure to be a hit at any gathering. So go ahead, enjoy a warm slice of this Canadian classic, and share the love and warmth that Traditional Canadian Spinach Lasagna brings to every meal.