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Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna Recipe

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4.4 from 12 reviews

A creamy, flavorful vegetarian lasagna featuring layers of butternut squash puree and sautéed spinach fillings, combined with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, and seasoned with nutmeg, Italian herbs, and paprika. This hearty baked dish offers a comforting twist on classic lasagna, perfect for a wholesome family meal.

Ingredients

Butternut Squash Filling

  • 2 cups butternut squash puree (about half of a medium squash)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup milk (or more, as needed for creaminess)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (plus 1/8 teaspoon more to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Spinach Filling

  • 8 oz cooked spinach (about 1 cup cooked)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Pepper, to taste

Lasagna Assembly

  • 10 oz lasagna noodles, cooked and drained (use gluten-free noodles like Tinkyada brown rice noodles if desired)
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
  • Olive oil spray (for greasing the baking dish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the assembled lasagna.
  2. Prepare Butternut Squash Filling: In a food processor or mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of butternut squash puree with 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Blend until creamy, adding extra milk if necessary. Taste and adjust salt as needed to ensure a well-seasoned, smooth mixture.
  3. Prepare Spinach Filling: In a bowl, mix together cooked spinach, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, minced garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground pepper to taste. Stir well and adjust seasoning if needed. Optionally, lemon juice and zest can be added to the spinach for brighter flavor.
  4. Cook Lasagna Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. If necessary, trim noodles with a knife to fit the size of your baking dish.
  5. Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease an 11 x 8.5 inch casserole dish with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
  6. Assemble First Layer: Spread 1/3 of the butternut squash filling evenly on the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle lightly with mozzarella cheese. Arrange 3 cooked lasagna noodles on top without overlapping.
  7. Add Spinach Layer: Spread half of the spinach filling over the noodles. Lightly top with mozzarella cheese, then cover with another layer of cooked noodles.
  8. Second Butternut Squash Layer: Spread another 1/3 of the butternut squash mixture over the noodles and sprinkle lightly with mozzarella cheese. Add another layer of cooked noodles on top.
  9. Second Spinach Layer: Spread the remaining half of the spinach filling evenly over the noodles. Sprinkle lightly with mozzarella cheese, then cover with the final layer of noodles.
  10. Top Layer and Seasoning: Spread the remaining 1/3 of the butternut squash filling generously over the top layer of noodles. Sprinkle evenly with grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining mozzarella (about 1/2 cup). Generously sprinkle Italian seasoning, paprika, and dried basil over the cheese to enhance flavor.
  11. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the lasagna to cook through.
  12. Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to brown the cheese topping and develop a golden crust.
  13. Rest and Serve: Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps it set and makes serving easier and tidier.

Notes

  • Cooked spinach can be prepared with lemon juice and lemon zest to complement the sweetness of butternut squash, but this is optional.
  • Use gluten-free lasagna noodles if you need the recipe to be gluten-free.
  • Adjust milk quantity in butternut squash filling for desired creaminess.
  • Make sure not to overlap noodles during assembly for even cooking.
  • Resting the lasagna after baking improves texture and serving ease.

Find it online: https://lauracooks.com/butternut-squash-and-spinach-lasagna-recipe/