Baking Dish (9x13 inch) Essential for assembling your lasagna.
saucepan For preparing the bechamel sauce.
Large baking sheet To roast the butternut squash.
Mixing bowls For combining ricotta and egg mixture.
Whisk Helps ensure a smooth bechamel sauce.
Blender or Potato Masher Optional, for smoothing out the roasted squash.
Ingredients
For the Squash Layer
1large butternut squashpeeled, seeded, and cubed
2tablespoonsolive oil
1teaspoonsalt
1/2teaspoonblack pepper
For the Bechamel Sauce
4tablespoonsunsalted butter
4tablespoonsall-purpose flour
3cupswhole milkwarmed
1/4teaspoonnutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
Other Ingredients
9lasagna noodlesno-boil or regular
2cupsricotta cheese
1egg
1cupgrated Parmesan cheese
2cupsshredded mozzarella cheese
1tablespoonfresh sagefinely chopped (plus extra leaves for garnish)
Instructions
Roast the Butternut Squash
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the cubed squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread evenly on a baking sheet. Roast for about 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and slightly caramelized. This is the secret to developing deep, sweet flavors that make holiday dishes food like this so memorable.
Prepare the Bechamel Sauce
While the squash is roasting, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes until golden. Gradually add the warmed milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Simmer until thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
Make the Ricotta Mixture
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with one egg and a pinch of salt. This helps to create a creamy, luscious layer that binds the lasagna beautifully.
Assemble the Lasagna
Spread a thin layer of bechamel sauce on the bottom of your baking dish. Layer with three lasagna noodles. Top with half of the roasted butternut squash, half of the ricotta mixture, a sprinkle of chopped sage, and a handful of mozzarella. Repeat the layers, finishing with a final layer of noodles, bechamel, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Decorate the top with a few whole sage leaves.
Bake
Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 15 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.