Fresh, easy spinach ricotta lasagna that’s ready in 15 minutes! All you need is a mug and a microwave. This dish is perfect for those days when you are craving a bit of comfort food.
We’ve all made food decisions that we regret. Most of mine happened during college. Finals time was a particularly dark period for me, literally and figuratively. My body switched to nocturnal mode, which meant late night studying/paper writing and energy drinks. On those nights, I was awake but not alert. As in, I usually had to read a sentence four times before processing what I meant. I don’t miss those days.
There was one thing that I always kept stocked in my freezer to get me through finals: Stouffer’s single-serving frozen lasagna. There was something about that cheesy, high sodium, carbohydrate-rich box of lasagna that brought comfort and a brief moment of solace in my hectic study schedule. I loved Stouffer’s lasagna so much that I even overlooked all the neon orange grease stains that it left on my books.
Don’t worry, you won’t find frozen lasagna within my quarters anymore, but I do crave lasagna a lot. It’s that melty cheese that always gets me. But the only problem is that lasagna takes a long time to make, and my appetite has no time to wait. That’s where this lasagna comes in. Lasagna in a microwave. Get ready for some major yums.
The key to making lasagna in a mug is fresh lasagna sheets. They cut the cooking time significantly compared to the dry version. I found these lasagna sheets in the refrigerated pasta section of my supermarket, and one package goes a long way. This recipe is also incredibly versatile, so feel free to play around with the ingredients. I tried this with some collard greens, and it worked like a charm. If you want to add some ground meat, make sure it is fully cooked first!
Spinach Ricotta Lasagna in a Mug
Serves 1
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Category: vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1/2 fresh lasagna sheet
- 2 1/2 cups (75g) baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/4 medium yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 3 large basil leaves, finely chopped (optional)
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp granulated garlic
- 6 TBS pasta sauce or tomato sauce
- 1/3 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
Instructions
- Cut the lasagna sheet in half, and cut each strip in half again. Place the pasta sheets into a bowl, and pour very hot water in it, until it covers all the pieces. I used boiled hot water from my electric kettle. Set the pasta pieces aside.
- Chop the spinach and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the top with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in it for ventilation. Microwave for 1 minute. Take out the spinach and let it rest.
- Grate the mozzarella while you wait for the spinach to cool.
- Mix the spinach with the ricotta, pepper, granulated garlic, and salt. Set mixture aside.
- Pour 2 tablespoons of pasta sauce at the bottom of the mug. Top with a piece of softened pasta sheet. Add some spinach mixture, 2 tablespoons of mozzarella, and a pasta sheet. Continue building the lasagna, ending with a layer of pasta sheet at the top. Sprinkle mozzarella over the pasta.
- Microwave everything for 1 minute 30 seconds. Check to make sure that the mozzarella is melted. If it isn’t, continue microwaving at 15-second intervals until the cheese is fully melted.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
1. Loosely adapted from Meal in A Mug.
2. This recipe also works with collard greens instead of spinach. It tastes great, but do note that the collards will have less moisture than spinach.
Looking for more microwave recipes in a mug?
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Genius. I feel like I gave my microwave a workout with the recipes for the ebook but this is just genius. Love it, Lisa!
Lisa says
Hahah, I’m sure that microwave can use a little time-out for now.
Marye says
I love mug cooking! It’s so easy when you just need something fast. This lasagna is brilliant!
Lisa says
Thanks, Marye!
heather @french press says
I am head over heels in LOVE with this idea! we love lasagna, especially my daughter, but I don’t always have time to make her one – this is PERFECT!!
Lisa says
YES! You should make this with your daughter! I’m sure she would love to know that she made lasagna all my herself!
Tawnie Kroll says
OK, YUM!!
Lisa says
Thanks, Tawnie!
Julia says
I just made my very first mug cake the other day and I’m absolutely LOVING the idea of single-serve dinners in a mug. How effing brilliant!!! Lasagna is one of my all-time favorite meals, so you best believe I’ll be actioning this bad boy soon! Hope you had a fun and relaxing weekend, dear! xo
Lisa says
This whole mug thing started out with a cake for me too! Then, I started realizing that savories could be done in a mug, and ohh man. Life has changed. I’m not just using the microwave to melt my coconut oil now.
Anyway, hope you had a splendid weekend!
Linda @ Veganosity says
I’m loving all of the mug recipes that are on the blogoshpere lately. Most of them are cake recipes so I really like your creativity here. I love lasagna too. I’m going to bookmark this and make it vegan style the next time my husband is out of town. 🙂
Lisa says
When you come up with a vegan version, make sure to share it with me! I would LOVE to know how to make vegan lasagna!
Linda @ Veganosity says
Hi Lisa, I just found your comment in my junk folder. ?? Anyway, here you go! http://www.veganosity.com/vegan-spinach-lasagna/
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Lisa, you don’t want to know what I consumed while in college . . 100% grease probably. . and I was like 25 lbs heavier than I am now. . college was survival mode and not being health conscious at all. I LOVE this!! lasagna in a mug. . this is brilliant!!!!
Lisa says
Thanks, Alice!
Those college pounds sneak up on all of us!
Julie | This Gal Cooks says
Oh this is so perfect! I always see mug recipes for sweets but I’m often craving something savory and something fast! This is just the best little mug recipe ever and so perfect for quick savory cravings! 🙂
Lisa says
Yes! I’ve been craving so many savory mug recipes lately that I thought of giving lasagna a go. It works so well!
Beth says
In a mug?!! This is brilliant Lisa!!!
Lisa says
Thanks, Beth!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
What a genius idea! I’ve seen so many mug cakes, but never lasagna in a mug.
Lisa says
Thanks, Jeanette! I know, most of the mug recipes I see are mug cakes. so I thought I would try something new. I was shocked by the results!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
This looks amazing! I love the idea of a savory meal in a mug and spinach lasagne is the best! Love your egg fried rice in a mug recipe, too 🙂
Lisa says
Thanks, Medha! I’m so glad you like my mug recipes!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
This is amazing! I love lasagna, but admit I have trouble limiting my portion when I make it. This is a great way to solve that problem!
Lisa says
Haha, I have that same problem too! Thanks, Jessica!
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge) says
Ah! You are going to make me get a microwave after this post 🙂 I love the idea of lasagna in a mug, looks so easy! I’m actually glad I didn’t know about this in college because I could see this being a nightly snack!
Lisa says
Haha, I actually wish I knew about this so I wouldn’t have eaten all those Stouffer’s lasagnas!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
This is too amazing!
Lisa says
Thanks, Erin!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
This is such a fabulous idea, Lisa. As a single gal, I definitely don’t need a whole 9X13 tray of lasagna sitting in my fridge. No good can come of that. This is just brilliant!
Lisa says
Thanks, girl!! Although, if you’re ever making a 9×13 lasagna, give me a call, ok?
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
I love mug recipes SO much – also love finding savory ones to go with all the sweet ones in my fridge. This is going on my must try list!
Lisa says
Thanks, Kate! Let me know if you do!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
This is such a good idea! My husband travels a lot, so easy, single serving meals are a must for me– because I too often default to just eating yogurt for dinner 🙂 Pinning this one!
★★★★★
Lisa says
Thanks, Michelle! I’m was so surprised that this kept me full!
KT says
I’ll switch out the ricotta for cottage cheese (I think it’s creamier and melts better, personal preference. I use it for all my lasagnas) keep the spinach and make this soon. Thanks for the great idea!
Lisa says
Hi KT, I just saw this comment, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
Phyllis says
Could I use thawed frozen chopped spinach?