Freeze-Ahead Lasagna Primavera

289 Ratings
  • 5 44
  • 4 88
  • 3 108
  • 2 39
  • 1 10

Layered with delicate veggies, a creamy sauce,and 3 cheeses, this lasagna captures thefreshness of spring -- straight from the freezer.

Everyday Food, April 2008

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Recipe Summary

prep:
40 mins
total:
1 hr 45 mins
Servings:
8
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Ingredients

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium; add flour and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes (do not let flour mixture darken); whisk in milk. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook, whisking occasionally, until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add spinach, peas, and carrots; season with salt and pepper. Set sauce aside.

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  • In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and teaspoon pepper.

  • In the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of vegetable sauce. Layer noodles, half the remaining vegetable sauce, another noodles, half the ricotta mixture, half the mozzarella, and half the Parmesan; repeat.

  • Cover dish with lightly oiled aluminum foil, and place on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake 45 minutes, uncover, and bake until bubbling and browned, about 20 minutes more. Let cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

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Reviews (41)

289 Ratings
  • 5 44
  • 4 88
  • 3 108
  • 2 39
  • 1 10
Martha Stewart Member
11/01/2019
Whoops! I was trying to multi-task and should have read the recipe more carefully before posting my comment! If you are making a recipe with a thicker white sauce (as here), I would pre-cook the noodles at least partly. But, I have to admit that I never bother with no-boil noodles anyway. Even with them, I would think you need a certain amount of liquid layered next to them in order for them to cook properly.
Martha Stewart Member
11/01/2019
I use regular lasagna noodles and never boil my pasta in advance. However, I always make sure that there is a a layer of thin (watery) pasta sauce above and below each noodle layer. The noodles will absorb the moisture from the sauce and thicken the sauce at the same time! The lasagna usually is done at about 25 minutes (350); you can tell when it's done if you cover it with foil, pressing the foil gently against the top of the lasagna. It will turn from flat to "hills and valleys" when the noodles have cooked. To freeze, discard the foil and cover with plastic wrap. (The acid in tomatoes will "eat" into the foil over time in the freezer.)
Martha Stewart Member
03/09/2019
Directions were incomplete - it did not say how to freeze it for “make ahead”!
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Martha Stewart Member
04/08/2018
I would like to make this for a party soon but the recipe did not tell me what stage to freeze it!
Martha Stewart Member
03/26/2018
Delicious! A little time consuming, but lasagnas typically are. I made the recipe as written and it was fantastic.
Martha Stewart Member
08/13/2014
I've made this several times over and it is DELICIOUS! However, I've only tried to freeze it twice and baking it from frozen takes MUCH longer than it states. At least in my experience. I am going to try making two half size ones and see if that goes better. Still a great recipe though.
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Martha Stewart Member
05/02/2014
Quick question about the no-boil lasagna noodles: I've long been in the habit of pre-cooking my noodles before making a lasagna. One time I tried it without pre-cooking, (as per the directions) and the texture of the pasta was AWFUL!!! Does anyone else have a similar experience? Any thoughts or advice? cheat ninja saga
Martha Stewart Member
04/03/2014
This is in the oven as we speak and I'm really excited to eat it. I made the recipe exactly as it is written, but if it turns out to be a hit, I will definitely exchange the veggies and get creative. The only thing I want to mention is that there was so much of the veggie sauce. I had a ton left over because using all of it would have overflowed the dish. I haven't read that anyone else has had this problem, but I would maybe only use 4 cups of milk next time.
Martha Stewart Member
04/16/2011
I needed more flour to make the rue as well. Also, I used skim milk and it turned out great and was still extremely rich.
Martha Stewart Member
09/30/2009
You can use well-squeezed reg cottage cheese or dry curd cottage cheese as a sub for the ricotta
Martha Stewart Member
08/21/2009
agissing- I use the Barilla no-boil lasagna noodles. They will say on the package that they are no boil. They're great! So much easier than cooking them and the mess from them sticking together and breaking.
Martha Stewart Member
06/26/2009
I have heard you can use cottage cheese instead of ricotta
Martha Stewart Member
04/18/2009
Can I use something other than ricotta?
Martha Stewart Member
04/17/2009
Quick question about the no-boil lasagna noodles: I've long been in the habit of pre-cooking my noodles before making a lasagna. One time I tried it without pre-cooking, (as per the directions) and the texture of the pasta was AWFUL!!! Does anyone else have a similar experience? Any thoughts or advice?
Martha Stewart Member
02/14/2009
I think you need to at least double the ricotta. When you spread "half" it barely makes it across the dish. Also- directions could more clear when dealing with the final layer of noodles. The picture looks like there is cheese on the top layer. we'll see.
Martha Stewart Member
11/04/2008
I thought this dish was horrible. My son (16 months) actually gagged on it. I wouldn't make it again.
Martha Stewart Member
10/30/2008
This was a great dish! I had never cooked anything in my life before and it was quite entertaining and exciting to make. I felt like a real cook and the end results was amazing.
Martha Stewart Member
10/06/2008
I will try this great recipe soon but I think it needs a little bit more flour to thicken.
Martha Stewart Member
05/08/2008
Help! I made this recipe and was not met with a good result.... I could not get the milk mixture to thicken....I have made sauces before and never had any problem...
Martha Stewart Member
04/21/2008
i thought this was good,
Martha Stewart Member
04/14/2008
Really good. I also had doubled the recipe, which was a breeze, and such a good feeling to have a spare (unbaked) lasagna in the oven for another evening. It went together beautifully and we all enjoyed it. It did take about 45 minutes LONGER to bake than the recipe stated. I also made the garlic knots to go with, and doubled that as well, and froze some for later. Great way to get kids to eat veggies. :0)
Martha Stewart Member
04/11/2008
this was a hit for my family - however the next time i make it, i will partially cook the carrots (they turned out to be really undercooked for some reason) and use a little less spinach. also, i'm planning on trying some different veggies (corn for one) just to switch it up. this was SO easy to make!
Martha Stewart Member
04/08/2008
I halved this recipe and it turned out wonderfully for the two of us. It's great that the carrots don't get overcooked--even when I reheated the leftovers in the microwave.
Martha Stewart Member
04/08/2008
GREAT ideas to add peppers, asparagus and chicken...I am not a big fan of peas and carrots!
Martha Stewart Member
04/04/2008
Cmahon's comments are really absurd. Obesity is a problem in this country but it's not because people drink milk and eat cheese. It's because people eat too much (no portion control) and don't get any exercise. I eat cheese every day and eat dessert often yet I am only a size 4 still at age 40. It's because I am active and know the right portions to eat.
Martha Stewart Member
04/03/2008
My whole family loved this. I added diced chicken breast and asparagus because I had both to use up. It was fantastic. It isn't nearly as rich or heavy as you'd expect with a white sauce.
Martha Stewart Member
03/31/2008
I've never made veggie lasagna, this was the first time, IT WAS WONDERFUL!! I made a few adjustments. Less peas, less spinach and added three different colored frozen chopped peppers. It will be great for parties. Suggestion, use a DEEP DISH casserole for it, this way you won't have to worry about spills. LOVED IT!
Martha Stewart Member
03/30/2008
This was one of the first lasagnas I've made that didn't ooze filling after being cut. I think the no-boil noodles (which I've never tried before) absorbed a lot of the liquid from the sauce. Very well received at my house.
Martha Stewart Member
03/30/2008
Great! I did change it however. I eliminated the peas and the carrots and used two bags (16oz.) of frozen spinach instead. Instead of the whole milk I used 1 qt. of fat free, half and half. I also eliminated the salt. Sprinkled some parmesan cheese on the top layer of noodles. You can add marinara sauce at the table if you wish. Cooked and ate immediately. Cut remainder into serving pieces and froze those individually. Defrosted and cooked one piece in the microwave. Works well.
Martha Stewart Member
03/26/2008
FABULOUS! Perfect w/ add'l minced garlic
Martha Stewart Member
03/26/2008
I made this last week, halving the recipe. Even half made 6 huge servings with salad and the garlic knots. Definately a keeper.
Martha Stewart Member
03/26/2008
Please read this easy article : http://www.marthastewart.com/article/tips-for-freezing-food?xsc=stf_MSLO-ARTICLE For 3 easy tips for Freezing!
Martha Stewart Member
03/26/2008
i'd use ragu lowfat alfredo sauce instead of making a sauce from scratch and little or no milk, no egg or even parmesan to cut calories. romano is lower in salt and higher in calcium and my kids prefer it. go even lower with fat fat free cottage cheese or ricotta. i make seafood lasagna every christmas eve or for parties in the weeks before and would find the above too bland without any more herbs or spices, like green olive, capers, arugula or a little pesto of any sort.
Martha Stewart Member
03/25/2008
I plan to make this next week and will add leftover or pre-cooked chicken. I may also substitute chopped broccoli for the spinach.
Martha Stewart Member
03/25/2008
Magazine says: Per serving: 661 cal, 31.5g fat (15.2g sat fat), 41.1g protein, 54.3g carb, 5.8g fiber
Martha Stewart Member
03/25/2008
Magazine directions say to prepare thru step 3 cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze up to 3 months. To bake from frozen, remove wraps and follow step 4 directions, baking at 400 for 1 1/2 hours. Remove foil and bake about 30 min. more. Let stand 10 - 15 minutes before serving. Hope this helps!
Martha Stewart Member
03/25/2008
We're going to try to alter this one-dairy free. Seems like a lot of milk!
Martha Stewart Member
03/25/2008
I have a recipe with noodles and I tried freezing it before I baked it and it was a disaster so I would definitely bake it first, wrap it tightly in foil, defrost in the refrigerator and reheat in a 400 degree oven until it is bubbly.
Martha Stewart Member
03/25/2008
It seems like ALOT of milk!!
Martha Stewart Member
03/25/2008
Do you freeze it after you assemble it and thaw it before you bake it? If you bake it first how long does it take to heat it through when you take it out of the freezer?
Martha Stewart Member
03/25/2008
I would also like to have freezing and reheating directions. Do you have to thaw the frozen lasagna before reheating? Also, if you are going to freeze the lasagna do you have to use a foil lasagna pan? How would you seal or cover the lasagna before freezing?
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