Description
Hearty Sheet Pan Lasagna brings classic Italian comfort straight to modern kitchen tables with minimal cleanup. Rich layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and melted cheese create a delightful meal you can easily share with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
Dairy:
- 2 ½ cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella, divided
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 (5 oz) container baby spinach
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Calabrian chili paste (or ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes)
Pasta and Sauce:
- 1 lb lasagna pasta, broken into 2-inch pieces (or taccole pasta)
- 4 cups jarred marinara sauce
Oils and Seasonings:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (plus more for pasta water)
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking environment by heating the oven to a high temperature of 425°F (220°C) and generously coating a spacious sheet pan with olive oil for optimal non-stick performance.
- Create a flavor base by sautéing minced garlic and chili paste in a skillet, infusing the oil with aromatic heat. Gently introduce fresh spinach, allowing it to wilt and release its moisture. Carefully drain excess liquid, chop the spinach, and fold into creamy ricotta cheese for a vibrant green filling.
- Utilize the same skillet to transform the sausage, breaking it into rustic crumbles and browning to develop deep, caramelized flavors. Incorporate diced onions, cooking until they become translucent and sweet.
- Simultaneously prepare the pasta by immersing lasagna sheets in rapidly boiling, generously salted water. Cook briefly to achieve a perfect al dente texture, preserving a slight firmness. Reserve a small quantity of starchy cooking liquid to enhance sauce consistency.
- Construct the sauce by combining marinara with the pasta water, cooked pasta, and a generous layer of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Integrate this mixture with the seasoned sausage, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
- Artfully distribute the pasta mixture across the prepared sheet pan, ensuring even coverage. Delicately place dollops of the ricotta-spinach mixture throughout the surface. Generously sprinkle the remaining cheese to create a golden, crispy topping.
- Transfer the sheet pan to the preheated oven, allowing the lasagna to transform for approximately 30 minutes. Look for a bubbling, bronzed surface indicating perfect doneness. Allow a brief resting period before serving to let flavors meld and settle.
Notes
- Choose lasagna noodles with ridges to help sauce cling better and create more texture in the final dish.
- Skip boiling noodles entirely by using oven-ready/no-boil lasagna noodles for quicker preparation.
- Replace traditional pork sausage with ground turkey or plant-based sausage for lower-fat or vegetarian alternatives.
- Ensure maximum flavor development by letting the lasagna rest 10-15
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg