Go Back

Spooky Halloween Lasagna

This Halloween-inspired lasagna features layered pasta, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella, creating a cozy yet playful dish. The layers peek through like secret tunnels, with bubbling cheese on top offering a golden, bubbly finish. Perfect as a festive centerpiece, it combines comfort food with a fun, spooky twist.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz lasagna noodles al dente
  • 15 oz marinara sauce rich tomato flavor
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese creamy and mild
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese for melting and gooeyness
  • 1 lb ground beef or plant-based protein
  • 2 cups fresh spinach chopped
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • to taste salt and pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles until just al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat a skillet over medium heat, add chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, about 5 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula.
  4. Stir in marinara sauce and let simmer for 10 minutes to deepen the flavors, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with chopped spinach and a pinch of salt and pepper, mixing until well blended.
  6. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom of the baking dish, then add a layer of cooked noodles over the sauce.
  7. Spread half of the ricotta-spinach mixture evenly over the noodles.
  8. Repeat layering with sauce, noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, and finishing with a final layer of noodles.
  9. Top the final layer of noodles with shredded mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
  10. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25 minutes until bubbly.
  11. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese on top is golden and bubbling.
  12. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes to set the layers, then slice and serve hot, enjoying the cheesy, hearty layers that peek through like secret tunnels.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and add extra vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini. For extra spooky effect, use a cookie cutter to create fun Halloween shapes from cheese slices to decorate the top before baking.