Ingredients

  • 1 ounce mushrooms, porcini, dried
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onions or half medium, chopped
  • 1 medium carrots peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 stalk celery ends removed and finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic crushed or finely minced
  • 4 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 pound mushrooms, portabello baby, chopped
  • 1 x salt and black pepper to taste
  • 28 ounces tomatoes, canned, crushed or use same amount freshly crushed or chopped tomatoes
  • 2 each bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon italian seasoning dried, or fresh
  • 1 1/2 ounces parmesan, parmigiano-reggiano cheese, grated
  • 12 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 4 ounces cheddar cheese, very old, sharp shredded
  • 1 pound ricotta cheese 16 ounces
  • 1 large eggs
  • 1 pound baby spinach or regular spinach, fresh
  • 18 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 9 each lasagna noodles prefer whole wheat

Method

  • For the ragu:
  • Add the porcini mushrooms in 1 cup hot water, sork until soft, 20 minutes.
  • Strain through a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl or a measuring cup.
  • Chop the re dehydrated mushrooms and reserve the soaking liquid.
  • Set aside.
  • While the mushrooms are soaking, add the olive oil in a dutch oven or a large pot over medium heat, heat until hot.
  • Add the onion, and cook until soft and become brown, about 8 minutes or longer.
  • Stir in the carrots and celery, and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
  • Add the garlic and tomato paste, stirring, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the mushrooms, salt and black pepper to taste.
  • Cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are soft and some of the moisture has been evaporated, about 8 minutes.
  • Stir in the chopped porcini mushrooms, and cook for about 3 minutes.
  • Pour the reserved porcini soaking liquid, bring the pot to a boil and cook the sauce until thickened a bit, 4 to 6 minutes.
  • Pour in the tomatoes and the juice, and the bay leaves.
  • Bring to a boil, stirring two or three times.
  • Reduce the heat to medium low, add the Italian seasoning mix, stirring about three times, until thick, about 1 hour or more.
  • Discard the bay leaves.
  • Note: The sauce can be made 1 day ahead, allow to cool, then cover with a plastic wrap and put in the frige.
  • Reheat before using.
  • Meanwhile wilt the washed spinach leaves with some water on the leaves in a large pan or pot until the leaves are all witled, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Let cool enough to handle, transfer the spinach into a stainer, sieve or colander, squeeze the excess water, then chop the spinach.
  • For the lasagna filling:
  • Add the parmesan, mozzarella and cheddar in a medium bowl; mix until well combined.
  • Reserve 1 cup of the cheese mixture and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the remaining cheese mixture, ricotta cheese, egg, spinach, nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
  • Mix until well blended.
  • Preheat the oven to 375F (190C).
  • Bring a large bot of salted water to a boil.
  • Cook the lasagne noodles according to the directions on the box.
  • Drain and rinse under cold water, shake off the excess water.
  • Spread 1 cup of the ragu in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
  • Arrange three lasagna noodles, then half of the spinach mixture and 2 cups ragu.
  • Place another three lasagna noodles, then the remaining spinach mixture and another 2 cups ragu.
  • Top with last 3 noodles and remaining ragu and sprinkle the reserved cheese over.
  • Cover with a large piece of foil, try to not touch the cheese.
  • Put on a baking sheet and bake 50 minutes.
  • Take off the foil and bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes or more.
  • Allow to rest for at least 15 minutes before serving.
  • Slice and serve warm.