Giada’s Lasagna Rolls

If you do not like spinach, do not make these, or else use a different recipe for the filling.  Spinach was definitely the dominant flavor in these, which is not my favorite.  I’m posting the recipe anyway, since I know it’s a good one.  It’s just my particular taste buds…which can vary drastically from yours!

I had fun making these and was sincerely excited about eating them because they smelled and looked SO good!  They are so pretty!  But, right away on that first bite I thought “Uh oh. Strong spinach taste. Shoot!”

I’ve always known I don’t really love the taste of cooked spinach, but I’ve had other meals I’ve thoroughly enjoyed such as the Florentine Turkey Meatloaf.  Now I know that too much spinach is not my (nor Ben’s) cup of tea.

I found this recipe on Food alla Puttanesca.  She left out the prosciutto and didn’t miss it, so I decided to also leave it out. I think that was a mistake as it maybe could have balanced out that spinach flavor for me a little more.

Did I mention I don’t like strong spinach flavor?  🙂

Next time I plan to use a different filling.  Something with Italian sausage, onions, peppers and more sauce.

Printable Recipe

Sauce:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Pinch ground nutmeg

Lasagna:
1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, chopped
1 large egg, beaten to blend
3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more for salting water
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 uncooked lasagna noodles
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella (about 4 ounces)

To make the sauce: Melt the butter in a heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk for 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk. Increase the heat to medium-high. Whisk the sauce until it comes to a simmer and is thick and smooth, about 3 minutes. Whisk the salt, pepper, and nutmeg into the bechamel sauce. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Mix the ricotta, spinach, 1 cup Parmesan, prosciutto, egg, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl

Add a tablespoon or 2 of oil to a large pot of boiling salted water. Boil the noodles until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Arrange the noodles in a single layer on a baking sheet to prevent them from sticking.

Butter a 13-by-9-by-2-inch glass baking dish. Pour the bechamel sauce over the bottom of the prepared dish.

Lay out 4 lasagna noodles on a work surface, then spread about 3 tablespoons of ricotta mixture evenly over each noodle.

Starting at 1 end, roll each noodle like a jelly roll.

Lay the lasagna rolls seam side down, without touching, atop the bechamelsauce in the dish. Repeat with the remaining noodles and ricotta mixture.

Spoon 1 cup marinara over rolls and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Cover tightly with foil. Bake until heated through and the sauce bubbles, about 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until the cheese on top becomes golden, about 15 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the remaining marinara sauce in a heavy small saucepan over medium heat until hot, and serve alongside.

Source: Food alla Puttanesca, originally from the Food Network