Spinach & Ricotta Lasagna with Bacon – Creamy and Flavorful

Name: Spinach & Ricotta Lasagna with Bacon – Creamy and Flavorful
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Ingredients: 500 g ricotta cheese (Italian); 400 g frozen spinach; 3–4 slices of bacon; 1 clove of garlic; 100 g Parmigiano (grated); 1 egg; 1 tsp lemon zest; Salt; Black pepper; A pinch of nutmeg; 50 g butter; 50 g flour; 700 ml milk; Salt; Nutmeg; 6–9 lasagna sheets; Parmigiano for topping

40 min prep30 min cook20 min restAbout 1 hour 30 minutes

This spinach and ricotta lasagna is inspired by traditional Italian home cooking, offering a gentle and comforting flavor.

I originally wanted to create a healthy, vegetable-based lasagna, but in our family it felt a little too light—so I added bacon to bring more depth and umami richness.

Interestingly, this combination is one I’ve often used before in a French quiche. Looking back, I think I naturally gravitate toward ricotta cheese for its light and delicate texture.

The addition of bacon enhances the overall flavor, while a slightly generous béchamel sauce makes the lasagna rich, soft, and creamy.

This easy spinach and ricotta lasagna is also perfect for making ahead—it’s even more delicious the next day, when all the flavors have fully come together.

Ingredients

For 4-6 people: Filling

500 g ricotta cheese (Italian)
400 g frozen spinach
3–4 slices of bacon
1 clove of garlic
100 g Parmigiano (grated)
1 egg
1 tsp lemon zest
Salt
Black pepper
A pinch of nutmeg

Béchamel Sauce

50 g butter
50 g flour
700 ml milk
Salt
Nutmeg

Others

6–9 lasagna sheets
Parmigiano for topping

How to make it

🥣 Cook the Spinach and Bacon
1/ Heat a small amount of olive oil in a pan and cook the turkey bacon first.
Once lightly browned, remove and set aside. (If using pork bacon, cook it without adding oil.)

2/ In the same pan, cook the spinach and add the garlic partway through.

3/ Cook over medium-high heat until the moisture has fully evaporated.
Return the bacon to the pan and mix well. Since the bacon is already salty, season with black pepper to taste.

🥣 Prepare the Ricotta Filling
4/ Grate the Parmigiano (50 g). In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, and grated Parmigiano. Add the lemon zest, nutmeg, and black pepper.

5/ Add the spinach and bacon mixture. Mix until smooth and creamy—the filling is ready.

🥣 Prepare the Béchamel Sauce
6/ Prepare the béchamel sauce following your base recipe.👉 Easy Béchamel Sauce Classic French White Sauce Season with salt and nutmeg, and keep it slightly loose in consistency.

🥣 Assemble the Lasagna
7/ Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.

8/ Layer lasagna sheets, ricotta filling, and béchamel sauce. Repeat the layers to fit the size of your dish.

9/ Finish with a layer of béchamel sauce and sprinkle with Parmigiano (50 g).

🥣 Bake
10/ Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 30–35 minutes. The top should be golden brown.

🥣 Rest and Serve
11/ Let the lasagna rest for 15–20 minutes before cutting. This helps the layers set and makes it easier to serve.

Good to know

🌟Serving Ideas and Tips🌟

⭐️Add Bacon for Extra Umami: Spinach and ricotta create a light and gentle flavor, but it can sometimes feel a bit mild. Adding bacon brings depth and umami, enhancing the overall balance of the dish.

⭐️Use a Generous Amount of Béchamel for Creaminess:I usually make about 500 ml of béchamel, but for this recipe I increased it to 700 ml. Using more sauce gives the lasagna a softer, creamier texture. Feel free to adjust to your preference.

⭐️Add Mozzarella for a Richer Variation: If you’d like a richer taste, try adding mozzarella. Its melt-in-your-mouth texture makes the lasagna even more satisfying and closer to a classic Italian style.

⭐️Pair with Something Light and Fresh: Since lasagna is a hearty dish, serving it with a light salad or fresh side helps create a well-balanced meal.

⭐️Even Better the Next Day: Letting it rest overnight allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making the lasagna even creamier and more flavorful. It’s a great make-ahead dish.

⭐️Also Great for Quiche: This spinach and ricotta combination works wonderfully in a quiche as well. If you’re interested, it’s definitely worth trying in another recipe too.
👉

Spinach and Bacon Quiche — Simple French Style