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Cozy Butternut Squash and Sage lasagna

Cozy Butternut Squash and Sage Lasagna

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8

Equipment

  • 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

  • 1 large butternut squash peeled, seeded, and cubed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Bechamel Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk warmed
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Other Ingredients

  • 9 lasagna noodles no-boil or regular
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage finely chopped (plus extra leaves for garnish)

Instructions
 

Roast the Butternut Squash

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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.