Turkey Spinach Lasagna

Turkey Spinach Lasagna is cheesy, saucy, and loaded with ground turkey and spinach. You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this one!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Meat lovers – this one is for you! I don’t always like meat in my lasagna, but I’ve been obsessed with making this one.

Lasagna has always been my favorite comfort food, especially when it’s loaded with veggies. This spinach and meat lasagna has loads of spinach and a whole pound of lean ground turkey for a huge boost of protein.

You’ll love all those layers of noodles, the cheesy ricotta mixture, spinach, and meat sauce. It’s so satisfying, and even though you’re full, you won’t want to stop eating it because it’s SO GOOD!

Though lasagna isn’t necessarily a quick meal, it only takes 45 minutes of prep time before popping it in the oven to bake. It’s great for meal prep, whether you’re prepping for the week or want to make some freezer meals for later.

Whether you want a cozy weeknight meal, holiday dish, or something to bring to a potluck, you’re going to love this recipe!

Love lasagna? Try my fall favorite Butternut Squash Lasagna Rolls.

Ingredients

You can make this Turkey Lasagna with Spinach with just 9 easy-to-find ingredients. It’s also super customizable so if you want to swap out the meat, add more veggies, or use a different sauce, you can easily make it your own.

Lasagna Noodles: Uncooked lasagna noodles. I love Delallo, however you can use whatever brand you prefer. You can use regular, whole wheat, or gluten-free. I don’t recommend no-boil noodles in this recipe.
Olive Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil to cook the ground turkey and sauté the spinach.
Ground Turkey: Use 93% lean ground turkey for the best flavor and texture. Though you could use leaner ground meat, some fat content helps give it some flavor and prevent it from drying out. You can swap the turkey for ground beef, ground chicken, or ground chicken sausage.
Spinach: You’ll need 10 ounces of baby spinach, roughly chopped. I like to use fresh, but you can also use frozen chopped spinach. If you use frozen, thaw it and drain the liquid before using it in the lasagna.
Ricotta: Part-skim ricotta cheese for the cheesy layer. Some brands are thicker than others, so if yours is a little watery, you may want to squeeze out some liquid for the best texture.
Egg: A large egg to help bind the cheese layer together.
Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella for mixing into the ricotta layer and topping the lasagna.
Parmesan Cheese: Finely shredded parmesan cheese, to add some extra nutty and sharp flavor to the ricotta mixture. You could also use pecorino romano cheese.
Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite homemade or store-bought tomato sauce or marinara sauce. I like Rao’s.
Fresh Herbs: Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnishing, if desired.

*The full ingredient list with amounts is in the recipe card below.

How To Make Spinach Turkey Lasagna

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and lay out on a clean kitchen towel.
Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large, deep skillet. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking up the meat, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir in the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and set aside.
In another large skillet, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the spinach, stirring occasionally until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside to cool for a few minutes. Once cooled enough to handle, use a cheesecloth or a few paper towels to squeeze out most of the liquid from the cooked spinach.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with oil or cooking spray. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, egg, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella, and parmesan cheese until combined.

First layer of turkey marinara sauce topped with lasagna noodles in a white baking dish.

Ricotta and cooked spinach spread over lasagna noodles in a white baking dish.

Assemble the lasagna. Spread 1 cup of the sauce mixture on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with a layer of 4 noodles, slightly overlapping. Spread 1/2 of the ricotta mixture in an even layer over the noodles. Place half of the spinach evenly on top, followed by 1 1/2 cups of the turkey marinara sauce.
Repeat with another layer of noodles, ricotta, spinach, and sauce. Top with the remaining 4 noodles and the rest of the turkey marinara sauce. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top and cover with foil.
Bake for 45 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.

Cooked ground turkey and marinara spread over the ricotta and spinach layer of Turkey Spinach Lasagna.

Final layer of Spinach Turkey Lasagna topped with mozzarella cheese.

Expert Tip: Cook the lasagna noodles until they’re al dente for the best texture. They will continue to cook once it’s baking, so you don’t want them to become mushy.

Variations

Swap out the meat. Try it with ground beef, ground chicken, or sweet Italian ground chicken sausage.
Add more veggies. Sautéed mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and eggplant are all great additions.
Make it vegetarian. Use a plant-based meat substitute instead of the ground turkey, or leave it out altogether.
Add more flavor. Sauté a couple of minced garlic cloves and a diced yellow onion with the ground turkey. You can also season the ricotta mixture with garlic powder and a small pinch of nutmeg.
Give it a kick. Use an arrabbiata sauce instead of marinara sauce for a bit of spice. You could also add some crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or ricotta mixture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Turkey Spinach Lasagna with a big bowl of salad or fresh crusty bread like French bread, Italian bread, or sourdough.

It’s excellent for meal prep, a holiday meal, or a dinner party with family and friends. Since lasagna is the quintessential comfort food, it’s the perfect meal to bring to a new neighbor, someone grieving, or a family with a new baby.

Spinach Turkey Lasagna in a white baking dish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead: Lasagna is great for making ahead! You can prepare it according to the recipe instructions and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. You can also assemble, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking it. It’s also great to freeze, either unbaked or baked!

To Store: Once cooled, you can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

To Freeze: There are two options when freezing your lasagna. You can freeze it after baking it in individual portions in airtight freezer-safe containers. Or freeze it whole, let it cool completely, then cover it with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. You may need to add extra baking time.

The other option is to freeze the lasagna before baking it. Make sure you assemble the lasagna in an oven-safe and freezer-safe baking dish (you can even use a disposable foil baking pan). Cover it with foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking. You may need to add extra baking time.

*Read more about how to reheat lasagna.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Why is my lasagna watery?

Your lasagna may be watery if your ricotta isn’t thick enough. Your spinach could also be causing your lasagna to become runny. Be sure you squeeze out the liquid from your ricotta if the one you’re using is a little watery. Once you sauté the spinach, don’t skip the step of squeezing the liquid from it.

How can I add more flavor to my lasagna?

For even more flavor, you can sauté a couple of cloves of minced garlic and a diced yellow onion with the ground meat. You can also season the ricotta mixture with sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, italian seasoning, or dried parsley.

How long does it take to bake lasagna?

Lasagna typically takes about 45 minutes to bake, but can vary depending on your recipe.

A hand holding Turkey Lasagna with Spinach on a white plate.

More Favorite Pasta Dishes

Want even more veggie loaded pasta dishes? Try these favorites!

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