The Bread Lasagna with Spinach, Salmon, and Ricotta is a tasty and original dish, perfect for a family lunch or a special dinner. Layers of bread filled with a delicate cream of ricotta and spinach and smoked salmon that, after baking, become a sort of pasta-free lasagna or a crispy outside and soft inside block. This way, an excellent dish is created for lunch and as a dinner saver, easy to make even last minute and anti-waste because we can use ingredients we already have at home. Not only that: these lasagnas, which are also good cold, are perfect for picnics, brunches, buffets, or snacks.
The preparation is very easy: we prepare the filling with ricotta, eggs, spinach, and smoked salmon. We arrange layers of bread soaked in milk and filled with the ricotta and spinach cream in a loaf pan. We sprinkle the last slice of bread with breadcrumbs and butter knobs and bake at 356°F (180°C) for about ten minutes.
An economical recipe made with sandwich bread, which can be replaced with slices of sandwich loaf or even stale white bread. For the filling, we thought of three ingredients that, in our opinion, together are particularly tasty: fresh ricotta, smoked salmon, and spinach. But, depending on the season, we can vary the filling from time to time, for example using zucchini, potatoes, broccoli, etc. Additionally, these bread lasagnas are delicious hot straight from the oven, warm, or even cold.
In this article, you will find the detailed procedure to prepare this alternative lasagna, along with useful tips on storage, variations, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Discover also:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients to Prepare Bread Lasagna with Spinach, Salmon, and Ricotta
- 8.8 oz long bread for sandwiches
- 8.8 oz ricotta
- 1.1 lbs spinach
- 3.5 oz smoked salmon
- 2 eggs
- to taste milk
- to taste butter
- 1 clove garlic
- to taste breadcrumbs
- salt
Tools to Prepare Bread Lasagna with Spinach, Salmon, and Ricotta
- Pan
- Loaf Pan
- Bowl
- Fork
- Parchment Paper
- Oven
How to Prepare Bread Lasagna with Spinach, Salmon, and Ricotta
Prepare the Bread Lasagna with Spinach, Salmon, and Ricotta by first melting half the butter in a non-stick pan and browning the garlic clove in it. Add the drained, squeezed, and chopped spinach and sauté for a few minutes. Season with salt and pepper and let it cool.
In a bowl, mash the ricotta with a spoon to make it creamy. Add the already beaten eggs and mix them with the ricotta. Cut the salmon into strips and add it to the ricotta cream. Finally, add the spinach and mix until you get a perfectly combined cream.
Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and place the first slice of bread. Moisten with a little milk and fill with a portion of the spinach, salmon, and ricotta cream. Cover with another slice of bread, more ricotta cream, and continue this way until all ingredients are used. Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and some butter knobs.
Bake the Bread Lasagna with Spinach, Salmon, and Ricotta in the preheated oven at 356°F (180°C) for about 10-15 minutes, until the surface is nicely golden and crispy. You can also cook them in an air fryer at 356°F (180°C) for 10 minutes. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving. The lasagna will be even better if enjoyed warm.
Storage
You can store the bread lasagna in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, well covered with plastic wrap. To reheat it, you can use the oven at 320°F (160°C) for about 10 minutes or the microwave for a few minutes.
Tips and Variations
Variation with béchamel: If you want an even creamier version, you can add a few tablespoons of béchamel to the filling.
Light version: Use light ricotta and reduce the parmesan for a lighter variation.
Vegetarian alternative: Replace the salmon with grilled zucchini or mushrooms for a completely vegetarian dish.
Alternative bread: If you don’t have sandwich bread, you can use thinly sliced stale bread softened with milk.
Gluten-free version: Use gluten-free bread and breadcrumbs.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I use fresh salmon instead of smoked?
Yes, you can use cooked fresh salmon, either steamed or pan-fried, and shredded.
Can I freeze the bread lasagna?
Yes, you can freeze it after cooking. Make sure to let it cool completely before wrapping it in plastic wrap and storing it in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven before serving.
Can I substitute ricotta with another cheese?
Certainly! You can use cream cheese, robiola, or even a mix of soft cheeses.
