Description
Ghostly Lasagna is a fun and spooky twist on the classic Italian dish, perfect for Halloween or themed dinners. This layered casserole combines tender lasagna noodles, shredded chicken, fresh spinach, creamy ricotta, and rich mozzarella cheese, all smothered in a savory marinara sauce. Topped with ghost-shaped mozzarella slices and olive ‘eyes,’ this festive lasagna is both delicious and visually delightful.
Ingredients
Scale
Lasagna Components
- 24 lasagna noodles
- 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 4 cups spinach, chopped
Cheese Mixture
- 4 cups ricotta cheese
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce and Toppings
- 6 cups marinara sauce
- A few black olives, sliced (for “eyes”)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the lasagna.
- Cook Noodles: Boil the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain them well and set aside to cool slightly so they don’t stick together.
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with chopped spinach. Season with salt and pepper, mixing thoroughly to create a flavorful, creamy filling.
- Assemble Lasagna: In a large baking dish, start by spreading a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom. Layer with noodles, then spread the ricotta-spinach mixture evenly, add shredded chicken, sprinkle mozzarella cheese, and spoon more sauce over the top. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella.
- Create Ghost Toppings: Cut slices of mozzarella into ghost shapes and place them on top of the lasagna. Use black olive slices as eyes on each ghost shape to add a spooky decorative effect.
- Add Parmesan and Cover: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top layer. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil to retain moisture during baking.
- Bake Covered: Bake the lasagna in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and ingredients to cook through.
- Bake Uncovered and Brown: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing to set the layers and make serving easier. Enjoy your spooky Ghostly Lasagna!
Notes
- To save time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken if available.
- If you prefer a vegetarian option, omit the chicken and add mushrooms or additional vegetables.
- For easier layering, slightly oil the noodles to prevent sticking.
- You can prepare the lasagna a day ahead and refrigerate; bake it just before serving for fresh taste.
- Use fresh spinach for best flavor, but frozen spinach (thawed and well-drained) also works.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of lasagna)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: ghostly lasagna, Halloween recipe, spooky lasagna, chicken lasagna, spinach ricotta lasagna
