Ghostly Lasagna is the perfect recipe for busy fall nights when you want something cozy, kid-approved, and just a little spooky. Whether you’re planning a Halloween dinner party or just trying to get your picky eater excited about spinach (yes, it’s hiding in there!), this dish is a total win. And don’t worry—no ghosts were harmed in the making of this recipe.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Ghostly Lasagna
- ✅ It’s comforting and cheesy, like a Halloween hug in casserole form.
- ✅ It sneaks in spinach without raising red flags with the littles.
- ✅ You get to play with your food—those mozzarella ghost cutouts? Adorable.
- ✅ It uses shredded chicken, which cuts down on cook time (hello, rotisserie shortcut!).
If you’re anything like me, October brings a mix of “I want all the festive things!” and “Please let dinner basically make itself.” That’s where this Ghostly Lasagna swoops in like a culinary superhero—with cute spooky vibes and loads of flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what’s going in your haunted lasagna pan:
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (store-bought rotisserie works wonders!)
- 2 cups spinach, chopped
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- A few black olives (for spooky ghost eyes!)
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional but fun: A small ghost-shaped cookie cutter (or just freehand it if you’re crafty!)
How to Make Ghostly Lasagna Step-by-Step
1. Boil & Prep
Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Once they’re tender, drain and lay them out flat to keep them from sticking together. (You can drizzle a little olive oil to help with that—kitchen magic!)
2. Mix the Filling
In a medium bowl, combine:
- Ricotta cheese
- Chopped spinach
- Salt & pepper (about ½ teaspoon of each)
Give it a good stir. This is your creamy, veggie-packed base layer.
3. Layer It Up
Grab a 9×13 baking dish and start building:
- Spread a thin layer of marinara on the bottom.
- Lay down a few noodles.
- Add a layer of the ricotta-spinach mix.
- Add shredded chicken.
- Repeat: sauce, noodles, ricotta, chicken—until everything’s used up.
- Finish with marinara sauce on top.
4. Decorate with Ghosts!
This is the fun part—cut mozzarella slices into ghost shapes and place them across the top of the lasagna. Use small bits of black olive for eyes. You’ll feel like you’re playing with edible Halloween stickers.
5. Bake Until Bubbly
Pop your spooky masterpiece into a 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly and your mozzarella ghosts are oozy and perfect.
Tips for a Hauntingly Good Lasagna
- Short on time? Use oven-ready lasagna noodles and pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
- Don’t like spinach? Try kale, or just skip the greens (we won’t tell).
- No cookie cutter? Use a knife to freehand little ghosts. They don’t have to be perfect—wonky ghosts are extra spooky!
- Make ahead magic: Assemble the lasagna earlier in the day and refrigerate. Just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to bake.
From My Kitchen to Yours
I first made Ghostly Lasagna a few years ago when my kids begged for a “Halloween dinner that’s not candy.” (Fair enough.) I didn’t want anything too complicated or sugary, and I had leftover chicken and spinach in the fridge. Add a little creative mozzarella cutting and voilà—a tradition was born.
Now, it’s something we all look forward to each October. And honestly? I kind of love it more than the candy.
FAQs About Ghostly Lasagna
Can I make Ghostly Lasagna ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble everything, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
How should I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or oven.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes! Just skip the chicken and add in more spinach or some roasted veggies like zucchini or mushrooms.
Can I freeze this?
Yep. Assemble it, skip the ghost decorations (add those later), and freeze. When you’re ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and then add the mozzarella ghosts before popping it in the oven.
Cozy Up with This Ghostly Lasagna Tonight
Whether you’re hosting a haunted house dinner or just trying to wrangle a crowd of hangry goblins after work, Ghostly Lasagna is here to save the day. It’s creamy, hearty, and packed with flavors the whole family will love—and let’s be real, those ghost shapes? Instagram gold.
So grab your casserole dish, turn on some spooky tunes, and make your kitchen smell like Halloween magic. Your taste buds (and your kids) will thank you.
Explore More Cozy and Spooky Delights
If you loved this Ghostly Lasagna, don’t stop at just one haunted dish! Keep the fall flavor fest going with these reader-favorite recipes from Chicken Magic Recipes. They’re just as comforting, crowd-pleasing, and seasonally inspired—perfect for building out your spooky dinner table or enjoying all autumn long.
- For another effortless, family-friendly bake, check out this Dump and Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole—cheesy, saucy, and oven-ready in minutes.
- Want to lean into the spooky season even more? Don’t miss these festive Halloween Popcorn treats that both kids and adults will devour during movie night or trick-or-treat prep.
- Craving more cozy greens and chicken combos? This Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole pairs perfectly with a chilly evening and a glass of white wine.
- And if your family’s already in love with the spinach twist in this lasagna, they’ll flip for the rich flavors in the Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake—a creamy, cheesy winner with serious weeknight potential.
With recipes like these, dinner won’t just be delicious—it’ll be magical. Happy cooking, and don’t forget to share your creations with us!
Print
Ghostly Lasagna
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Ghostly Lasagna is the ultimate Halloween dinner idea—creamy, cheesy, spooky, and fun! With layers of shredded chicken, spinach, and marinara, topped with mozzarella “ghosts,” it’s perfect for a festive family night or a Halloween potluck hit.
Ingredients
12 lasagna noodles
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
2 cups spinach, chopped
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
A few black olives (for eyes)
3 cups marinara sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of marinara sauce.
Add a layer of noodles, followed by the ricotta-spinach mixture, then shredded chicken.
Repeat the layers, finishing with a layer of noodles and marinara on top.
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan.
Cut ghost shapes from mozzarella slices and place them on top. Add olive pieces for eyes.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
Let cool slightly before serving your spooky masterpiece!
Notes
Use a cookie cutter for perfect ghost shapes, or freehand with a knife.
Great for using up leftover rotisserie chicken!
Want it meatless? Swap chicken for sautéed mushrooms or roasted veggies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg