Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna

Since doing the juice cleanse, I have been craving lasagna. I knew it was only a matter of time before I made one. I happened to have 2 small squash(es?) from my veggie share and wanted to use them up, so this recipe was perfect.  It is a little bit time consuming because you need to make the squash mixture, the spinach mixture and cook the noodles. If you cook the squash in advance that would save a lot of time.

I always try and make recipes healthier when possible so I used skim milk and light ricotta. I also used a bigger pan, so I wasn't able to do as many layers.  I put one thick layer of spinach mixture rather than two thin layers and two layers of squash rather than three.


Making the squash:

• 2 small butternut squash pureed 
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup milk (or more, if needed)
• 1/4 + 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg if desired
• 
  
• Using food processor, combine butternut squash puree with Ricotta cheese, milk, salt and nutmeg. Add more milk if desired to make the butternut squash filling very creamy. Mix very well, taste and add more salt, if needed.

Making the spinach mixture:

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

Combine spinach, Ricotta cheese, mozzarella, garlic, salt and pepper.

Layering and baking:

• 10 oz lasagna noodles, cooked 
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (on top) and some extra mozzarella 
• Italian seasoning
• Paprika
• Basil 


• Preheat oven to 375F
• Prepare a baking dish - Grease the lasagna dish lightly with butter.
• Spread 1/2 of butternut squash filling on the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle lightly with mozzarella cheese. Top with cooked lasagna noodles without overlapping.
• Spread  spinach filling over the noodles. Top lightly with Mozzarella cheese. Top with cooked noodles.
• Spread another layer (1/2) of butternut squash mixture, then sprinkle lightly with Mozzarella cheese. Top with cooked noodles.
• Generously sprinkle the cheese with Italian seasoning, paprika, basil.
• Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 min. Remove foil and bake additional 10 minutes.