Crab Lasagna with Spinach & Ricotta 🦀🌿🧀 Creamy, Herb-Rich Layers With Sweet Crab, Garlic Béchamel, and Silky Ricotta Spinach

This lasagna leans lighter, brighter, and more elegant than its red-sauce cousin — tender crab layered with garlic-sautéed spinach, lemony ricotta, and a simple white sauce that binds it all together under a cheesy crust. It’s coastal comfort with a green twist.

Perfect for special occasions, spring or summer dinners, or a cozy seafood spin on a classic.

Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

Crab & Spinach Layer

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 oz fresh spinach (or 10 oz frozen, thawed and squeezed dry)
• ¾–1 lb lump crabmeat, drained and picked over
• Zest of ½ lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Ricotta Mixture

• 1½ cups whole milk ricotta
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or basil
• Salt and pepper

White Sauce (Béchamel)

• 4 tbsp butter
• ¼ cup flour
• 3 cups whole milk, warmed
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• Salt and white pepper
• Optional: ½ cup shredded mozzarella or extra Parmesan stirred in

Lasagna Build

• 9–12 no-boil or cooked lasagna noodles
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• Extra Parmesan for topping
• Optional: additional herbs or lemon zest to finish

Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Spinach

In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Add spinach and cook until wilted (or warmed through if frozen). Season with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Let cool slightly, then stir in crab.

Step 2: Mix the Ricotta

In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, herbs, and a pinch of salt and pepper until smooth.

Step 3: Make the Béchamel

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes. Slowly whisk in warm milk and simmer 4–5 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Add nutmeg, salt, and white pepper. Stir in cheese if using.

Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13” baking dish, spread a thin layer of béchamel. Add noodles, half the ricotta mixture, half the crab-spinach, a layer of béchamel, and repeat. Top with remaining béchamel and shredded mozzarella + Parmesan.

Step 5: Bake

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbly. Rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Step 6: Garnish & Serve

Top with lemon zest or fresh herbs if desired. Serve hot with a crisp salad or roasted asparagus.

Flavor Variations

• Add artichoke hearts or mushrooms to the spinach layer
• Use a splash of white wine in the béchamel for extra depth
• Sub in shredded mozzarella-ricotta blend for creamier filling
• Use arugula or kale instead of spinach
• Make it spicy with a pinch of chili flakes in the garlic oil

Pro Tips

• Drain crab and spinach well to avoid watery layers
• Whisk béchamel constantly for a smooth, lump-free sauce
• Let the lasagna sit before slicing so it holds clean layers
• Use a serrated knife or offset spatula to serve without collapse
• Bake on a sheet tray to catch any overflow

Final Thoughts

Crab Lasagna with Spinach & Ricotta is creamy, herbaceous, and luxuriously layered — delicate seafood sweetness meets garlicky greens and comforting cheese. It’s refined but cozy, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Layer it smooth. Bake it golden. Slice with pride. 🦀🌿🧀🔥

🦐 More Coastal Seafood Recipes

From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection of Seafood Recipes covers every ocean-inspired craving — whether you’re planning a dinner party or a quick weeknight win.

• 🐟 Classic Seafood Dish Recipes – Think pan-seared salmon with lemon dill and timeless coastal favorites.
• 🦞 Delicious Seafood Boil Recipes – Spicy, saucy boils packed with crab, shrimp, and corn. The ultimate feast.
• 🍝 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Elegant and indulgent, like shrimp linguine in a white wine sauce.
• 🍤 Shrimp Recipes – Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed; smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries
• 🐟 Salmon Recipes – Baking & grilling to bowls, pastas, and more — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make/
• 🦞 Seafood Casseroles – Bubbly, Buttery & Oven-Ready. Comfort food meets coastal flavor.
• 🥣 Flavorful Seafood Soups – Rich chowders, bisques, and broth-based favorites.
• 🍽️ Easy Seafood Dinner Recipes – Quick, delicious, easy recipes bring bold flavor with minimal prep and cleanup
• 🥗 Healthy Seafood Recipes – Light, fresh & packed with protein and omega-3s with bright, satisfying flavor
• 🍚 Risotto Recipes with Seafood – Creamy, silky rice dishes meet the richness of the sea.
• 🌊 Seafood Stews – Mediterranean, Latin to classic American, hearty stews with satisfying depth in your bowl.
• 🍝🧀 Seafood Lasagna – Lasagna meets the sea in these rich and satisfying delicious twist classic bakes.