• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Kitchen Meets Girl logo

  • home
  • about
    • work with me
  • recipes
    • Breakfast and Breads
      • Eggs
      • Everyday
      • Muffins and Baking
      • Pancakes and Waffles
      • Yeast Breads and Other Breads
    • Dinner
      • Fish and Seafood
      • Meat and Chicken
      • Pizzas, Pastas and Sauces
      • Soups and Salads
      • Quick and Easy
    • Desserts
      • Brownies and Bars
      • Cakes and Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Sweet Stuff
    • For the Slow Cooker
    • Healthier Options
    • Sides, Apps and Snacks
  • Home Meets Girl
    • Home Meets Girl
  • Cookbooks

November 1, 2011

Garlic Spinach Lasagna

Garlic Spinach Lasagna

spinach lasagna

Spinach lasanga makes me think of my first date with the Tall Boy.  We dined over great conversation at a little Italian restaurant near my house, and this place had the best spinach lasagna ever. Ever.  I’m still kind of wondering what possessed me to order it the very first time I tried it, since back then I was not really a vegetable lover.

I’m still not a vegetable lover (no doubt, I would choose cookies and cake over greens and root vegetables any day), but their lasagna was to die for.

I ate it on our first date, the night we got engaged, and at our rehearsal dinner.

And then the restaurant closed.  I may have cried a little bit when that happened, because not only did it hold so many wonderful memories for me, but I’ve yet to find any other restaurant that served anything even remotely like it.  So I’ve been on a mission for quite a few years to recreate it myself.

spinach lasagna 2

I have to say, while this recipe isn’t exact, it’s pretty close.  I used egg noodles here, which the original version certainly didn’t have.  However,  these are quicker to cook, don’t clump together, and have a solid bite, so they are a fairly good substitution for traditional pasta.  Plus, it’s just a little easier to make if you’re attempting to assemble this on a work night while trying to frost cookies and entertain a 4-year old at the same time.  Just sayin’.

I absolutely loved the flavors in the dish.  The sauce was creamy and rich, without being too heavy, and the garlicky flavor of the pesto throughout was just lovely.  This is a wonderful vegetarian meal, though for meat-lovers, it would pair wonderfully with grilled chicken.  We’ll definitely make this again the next time we’re craving some comfort food, or just wanting to bring back the memories of some really special moments in our lives.

I love you, Tall Boy! xo

spinach lasanga 3

 
Print
Prep time
30 mins
Cook time
35 mins
Total time
1 hour 5 mins
 
Serves: 6
Ingredients
For the Creamy White Sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup finely chopped shallots
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 2 cups milk, warmed
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper
For the Lasagna:
  • 1½ pounds baby spinach
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • salt and pepper
  • 8 ounces wide egg noodles
  • 2 cups creamy white sauce
  • 6 ounces goat cheese
  • 4 tablespoons pesto sauce
  • 1½ cups coarse fresh breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Method
For the Creamy White Sauce:
  1. Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until tender, about five minutes. Stir in flour for two minutes. Gradually whisk in milk, and bring to a boil and cook for two minutes, whisking constantly. Remove from heat and stir in parmesan and salt and pepper, to taste.
For the Lasagna:
  1. Preheat oven to 400.
  2. In a large saucepan, bring two inches of water to a simmer. Add the spinach in batches, stirring until wilted. Drain and let cool. Squeeze out excess moisture and chop.
  3. In a large skillet, melt two tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir until golden, about one minute. Stir in the spinach. Season lightly with salt and pepper; remove from heat.
  4. Cook egg noodles to al dente and drain (do not rinse) and stir in the white sauce to coat.
  5. In a greased 8x8 baking dish, layer in half of the noodles. Dot with half of the goat cheese, spread the spinach on top and press down. Stir three tablespoons pesto into the remaining noodles and spoon over the spinach. Dot with remaining cheese. Cover with foil and bake until bubbling, about 35 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt the remaining two tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring until golden and crisp. Season with salt and pepper. Combine the remaining one tablespoon pesto with the olive oil. Drizzle the lasagna with the pesto oil and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs.
Notes
from EveryDay with Rachel Ray, October 2011
2.1.7

 

10 Comments

  1. amy @ fearless homemaker
    amy @ fearless homemaker on November 1, 2011 at 10:49 am

    sounds + looks delicious! i love that you ate it on your first date, proposal night + rehearsal dinner. how special! it’s sad that the restaurant closed but i like that you took it upon yourself to recreate such a special meal.

    Reply
    • Kitchen Meets Girl
      Kitchen Meets Girl on November 1, 2011 at 11:29 am

      I was suprised how closely it resembled (in taste, anyway) the original version, so now I’ve got a go-to recipe when I need it! Although my meat-loving husband requested a chicken version the next time, I like this one just fine!

      Reply
  2. BreAna {Sugar and Spice and All Things Iced}
    BreAna {Sugar and Spice and All Things Iced} on November 1, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    This sounds so good!! I’m definitely going to give it a try. I love all the special memories surrounding this dish. Thanks for sharing it with us!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kitchen Meets Girl
      Kitchen Meets Girl on November 1, 2011 at 1:43 pm

      I was so sad that our “special” place closed, but I’m thrilled to have found a similar dish that we can make at home. I know vegetarian dishes aren’t for everyone, but this one is so loaded down with flavor that you’d never miss the meat. And a good way to sneak veggies in, unless your kids are in a “no green” phase like mine!

      Reply
  3. Mom
    Mom on November 2, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    Sounds and looks great! I’ll have to get the ingredients and give it a try. Or better yet, you could make it for me.

    Reply
  4. NanAppetit
    NanAppetit on November 2, 2011 at 8:42 pm

    Looks great! Going to try this one!

    Reply
    • Kitchen Meets Girl
      Kitchen Meets Girl on November 2, 2011 at 9:09 pm

      I hope you love it! Let me know how it turns out!

      Reply
  5. NanAppetit
    NanAppetit on February 26, 2012 at 8:49 pm

    Made this tonight using normal lasagna noodles, frozen spinach, and mozzarella instead of goat cheese. I like this recipe a lot! I couldn’t stop licking the white sauce out of the pan! My 8-year-old daughter couldn’t keep her fingers out of the pesto breadcrumb topping! Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Ashley
      Ashley on March 26, 2012 at 7:35 pm

      Oh, so glad you liked it!! I need to make this again–it was a big hit at my house, too!

      Reply
  6. NanAppetit
    NanAppetit on April 23, 2012 at 8:07 am

    Posted a version of this and linked back to you. Thanks again!!
    NanAppetit recently posted..Veggie Pot Pie PocketsMy Profile

    Reply

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

10 EASY SLOW COOKER MEALS RECIPE BOOK

Success!

SEND ME RECIPES!

Hello There!

Interestingly enough, I didn’t grow up with an interest in cooking.  In fact, I informed my mother on multiple occasions that I was not getting an advanced education so I could spend my evenings preparing meals.

more about me >>

Grab My Cookbook!

Fit Meets Girl

[et_pb_dpblog_portfolio admin_label=”Fit Meets Girl Posts” fullwidth=”off” posts_number=”1″ custom_post_types=”post” include_categories=”127″ show_title=”off” lightbox=”off” popup=”off” custom_url=”off” custom_fields=”off” show_categories=”off” show_date=”off” show_excerpt=”off” show_more=”off” show_pagination=”off” background_layout=”light” zoom_icon_color=”#85e0d4″ hover_icon=”%%190%%” title_font=”Raleway Light|||on|” title_font_size=”18″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” disabled=”off” saved_tabs=”all” global_module=”12345″]

<p><div class=”et_pb_portfolio_grid clearfix et_pb_module et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_dpblog_portfolio_1″></p>
<p><div id=”post-11435″ class=”et_pb_portfolio_item et_pb_grid_item post-11435 type-post status-draft format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized”></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11435″><br />
<span class=”et_portfolio_image”><br />
<img src=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/freezer-guidelines.png” alt=’The Ins and Outs of Freezer Storage’ width=’400′ height=’284′ /> <span class=”et_overlay et_pb_inline_icon” data-icon=””></span> </span><br />
</a></p>
<p><h2><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11435″>The Ins and Outs of Freezer Storage</a></h2></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11435″ class=”more-link” >read more</a> </div> <!– .et_pb_portfolio_item –></p>
<p><div id=”post-11416″ class=”et_pb_portfolio_item et_pb_grid_item post-11416 type-post status-draft format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-main-dishes category-healthier-options category-soups-and-salads”></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11416″><br />
<span class=”et_portfolio_image”><br />
<img src=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Chicken-Queso-Soup-title.png” alt=’Slow Cooker Chicken Queso Chili’ width=’400′ height=’284′ /> <span class=”et_overlay et_pb_inline_icon” data-icon=””></span> </span><br />
</a></p>
<p><h2><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11416″>Slow Cooker Chicken Queso Chili</a></h2></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11416″ class=”more-link” >read more</a> </div> <!– .et_pb_portfolio_item –></p>
<p><div id=”post-11399″ class=”et_pb_portfolio_item et_pb_grid_item post-11399 type-post status-draft format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized tag-free-printable tag-freezer-inventory-list tag-kitchen tag-organizing”></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11399″><br />
<span class=”et_portfolio_image”><br />
<img src=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/freezer-inventory.png” alt=’Why You Should Keep a Freezer Inventory List’ width=’400′ height=’284′ /> <span class=”et_overlay et_pb_inline_icon” data-icon=””></span> </span><br />
</a></p>
<p><h2><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11399″>Why You Should Keep a Freezer Inventory List</a></h2></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11399″ class=”more-link” >read more</a> </div> <!– .et_pb_portfolio_item –><br />
</div> <!– .et_pb_portfolio –><div class=”pagination clearfix”><br />
<div class=”alignleft”><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?paged=2″ >« Older Entries</a></div><br />
<div class=”alignright”></div><br />
</div></p>

[/et_pb_dpblog_portfolio]

Fan Faves

[et_pb_dpblog_portfolio admin_label=”Fan Faves Posts” fullwidth=”off” posts_number=”1″ custom_post_types=”post” include_categories=”124″ show_title=”off” lightbox=”off” popup=”off” custom_url=”off” custom_fields=”off” show_categories=”off” show_date=”off” show_excerpt=”off” show_more=”off” show_pagination=”off” background_layout=”light” zoom_icon_color=”#85e0d4″ hover_icon=”%%190%%” title_font=”Raleway Light|||on|” title_font_size=”18″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” disabled=”off” saved_tabs=”all” global_module=”12347″]

<p><div class=”et_pb_portfolio_grid clearfix et_pb_module et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_dpblog_portfolio_1″></p>
<p><div id=”post-11435″ class=”et_pb_portfolio_item et_pb_grid_item post-11435 type-post status-draft format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized”></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11435″><br />
<span class=”et_portfolio_image”><br />
<img src=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/freezer-guidelines.png” alt=’The Ins and Outs of Freezer Storage’ width=’400′ height=’284′ /> <span class=”et_overlay et_pb_inline_icon” data-icon=””></span> </span><br />
</a></p>
<p><h2><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11435″>The Ins and Outs of Freezer Storage</a></h2></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11435″ class=”more-link” >read more</a> </div> <!– .et_pb_portfolio_item –></p>
<p><div id=”post-11416″ class=”et_pb_portfolio_item et_pb_grid_item post-11416 type-post status-draft format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-main-dishes category-healthier-options category-soups-and-salads”></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11416″><br />
<span class=”et_portfolio_image”><br />
<img src=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Chicken-Queso-Soup-title.png” alt=’Slow Cooker Chicken Queso Chili’ width=’400′ height=’284′ /> <span class=”et_overlay et_pb_inline_icon” data-icon=””></span> </span><br />
</a></p>
<p><h2><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11416″>Slow Cooker Chicken Queso Chili</a></h2></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11416″ class=”more-link” >read more</a> </div> <!– .et_pb_portfolio_item –></p>
<p><div id=”post-11399″ class=”et_pb_portfolio_item et_pb_grid_item post-11399 type-post status-draft format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized tag-free-printable tag-freezer-inventory-list tag-kitchen tag-organizing”></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11399″><br />
<span class=”et_portfolio_image”><br />
<img src=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/freezer-inventory.png” alt=’Why You Should Keep a Freezer Inventory List’ width=’400′ height=’284′ /> <span class=”et_overlay et_pb_inline_icon” data-icon=””></span> </span><br />
</a></p>
<p><h2><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11399″>Why You Should Keep a Freezer Inventory List</a></h2></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11399″ class=”more-link” >read more</a> </div> <!– .et_pb_portfolio_item –><br />
</div> <!– .et_pb_portfolio –><div class=”pagination clearfix”><br />
<div class=”alignleft”><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?paged=2″ >« Older Entries</a></div><br />
<div class=”alignright”></div><br />
</div></p>

[/et_pb_dpblog_portfolio]

Featured

[et_pb_dpblog_portfolio admin_label=”Featured Posts” fullwidth=”off” posts_number=”1″ custom_post_types=”post” include_categories=”123″ show_title=”off” lightbox=”off” popup=”off” custom_url=”off” custom_fields=”off” show_categories=”off” show_date=”off” show_excerpt=”off” show_more=”off” show_pagination=”off” background_layout=”light” zoom_icon_color=”#85e0d4″ hover_icon=”%%190%%” title_font=”Raleway Light|||on|” title_font_size=”18″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” disabled=”off” saved_tabs=”all” global_module=”12349″]

<p><div class=”et_pb_portfolio_grid clearfix et_pb_module et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_dpblog_portfolio_1″></p>
<p><div id=”post-11435″ class=”et_pb_portfolio_item et_pb_grid_item post-11435 type-post status-draft format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized”></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11435″><br />
<span class=”et_portfolio_image”><br />
<img src=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/freezer-guidelines.png” alt=’The Ins and Outs of Freezer Storage’ width=’400′ height=’284′ /> <span class=”et_overlay et_pb_inline_icon” data-icon=””></span> </span><br />
</a></p>
<p><h2><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11435″>The Ins and Outs of Freezer Storage</a></h2></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11435″ class=”more-link” >read more</a> </div> <!– .et_pb_portfolio_item –></p>
<p><div id=”post-11416″ class=”et_pb_portfolio_item et_pb_grid_item post-11416 type-post status-draft format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-main-dishes category-healthier-options category-soups-and-salads”></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11416″><br />
<span class=”et_portfolio_image”><br />
<img src=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Chicken-Queso-Soup-title.png” alt=’Slow Cooker Chicken Queso Chili’ width=’400′ height=’284′ /> <span class=”et_overlay et_pb_inline_icon” data-icon=””></span> </span><br />
</a></p>
<p><h2><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11416″>Slow Cooker Chicken Queso Chili</a></h2></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11416″ class=”more-link” >read more</a> </div> <!– .et_pb_portfolio_item –></p>
<p><div id=”post-11399″ class=”et_pb_portfolio_item et_pb_grid_item post-11399 type-post status-draft format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized tag-free-printable tag-freezer-inventory-list tag-kitchen tag-organizing”></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11399″><br />
<span class=”et_portfolio_image”><br />
<img src=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/freezer-inventory.png” alt=’Why You Should Keep a Freezer Inventory List’ width=’400′ height=’284′ /> <span class=”et_overlay et_pb_inline_icon” data-icon=””></span> </span><br />
</a></p>
<p><h2><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11399″>Why You Should Keep a Freezer Inventory List</a></h2></p>
<p><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/?p=11399″ class=”more-link” >read more</a> </div> <!– .et_pb_portfolio_item –><br />
</div> <!– .et_pb_portfolio –><div class=”pagination clearfix”><br />
<div class=”alignleft”><a href=”https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?paged=2″ >« Older Entries</a></div><br />
<div class=”alignright”></div><br />
</div></p>

[/et_pb_dpblog_portfolio]

Categories

[widget id="categories-7"]

Archives

[widget id="collapsarch-4"]

Filed Under: Dinner, Pizzas, Pastas and Sauces

Primary Sidebar

Hi There!


Interestingly enough, I didn’t grow up with an interest in cooking.  In fact, I informed my mother on multiple occasions that I was not getting an advanced education so I could spend my evenings preparing meals.

more about me >>

Grab My Cookbook

Fan Faves

This Vintage Cake combines two layers of white cake, with a surprise brownie layer soaked in a decadent chocolate sauce. And the cream cheese frosting takes it right over the top!
Did you know you can make dinner rolls - yeast ones, at that - in just 30 minutes? It's true! These 30-Minute Dinner Rolls are so easy to make you'll never go store-bought again.

Copyright © 2023 · Kitchen Meets Girl · Privacy Policy