Fresh From The Garden Butternut Squash Lasagna Food

COZY ROASTED VEGETABLE BUTTERNUT SQUASH LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Add all of the veggies for roasting to a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Use your hands to toss the veggies together then spread them out in an even layer. Set aside while you prep your butternut squash.
• Use a sharp knife to cut off both ends of a butternut squash, you'll cut about ¼-½ inch off each end. Next cut the butternut squash in half vertically. Place the butternut squash upright or vertically on a wooden cutting board that's very secured to your counter. We don't want the cutting board or squash to wobble as you cut it. Use your knife to cut the butternut squash vertically down the middle. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds of the cut butternut squash. Place the butternut squash halves flesh side down on a separate medium baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Place both veggies and squash in the oven on two different racks. Roast the veggies for 30 minutes or until they are slightly golden then remove to cool down. The butternut squash will take slightly longer; about 1 hour total or until the squash is very fork tender. Set aside to cool for a little bit before scooping out the flesh. Keep heat in the oven.
• Make the butternut squash sauce: transfer the flesh of the butternut squash to a high powered blender or bowl of a food processor. Add in milk, brown or coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and salt and pepper. Blend until smooth and set aside.
• Do this step while the veggies and squash roast: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles for 5-6 minutes, then drain. Immediately lay the noodles flat on an oiled baking sheet or cutting board so you can easily assemble the lasagna when ready. Another option is to soak the lasagna noodles in very warm (hot) water for 20-30 minutes if you do not want to boil them. (Note: you can also use no-cook lasagna noodles, but they aren't my favorite!)
• In the small bowl, add the ricotta, egg, salt and pepper. Mix until well combined. Set aside.
• To assemble the lasagna, spread 3/4 cup of butternut squash mixture over the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place 5 of the cooked lasagna noodles on top, laying 4 vertically and 1 horizontally. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture on top of the noodles, followed by half of the roasted veggies, then top with ¾ cup shredded mozzarella. Next, add 1 heaping cup of the butternut squash mixture on top of the mozzarella and then sprinkle with 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese.
• Repeat layers once more: adding remaining noodles (4 vertically & 1 horizontally), the rest of the ricotta cheese mixture, remaining roasted veggies, ¾ cup shredded mozzarella, then top with any remaining butternut squash sauce and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. Finally, top with remaining 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15-20 minutes until cheese starts to brown just a bit. Garnish with extra parmesan and either chopped basil or parsley. Cool for 15-20 minutes before cutting and serving. Serves 12.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH LASAGNA

Steps:

• Make the vegetables: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil on a baking sheet; season with salt. Toss the onion with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil on a separate baking sheet; season with salt. Roast, rotating the baking sheets once, until the vegetables are tender, 18 to 20 minutes; set aside. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, make the bechamel: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the sage and cook 1 minute. Whisk in the flour until smooth; cook, whisking, until the flour is lightly golden but not brown, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the nutmeg.
• Assemble the lasagna: Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Toss the cheeses and the flour in a bowl; set aside 1/2 cup for topping. Evenly coat the bottom of the dish with 1/2 cup of the bechamel. Lay 3 noodles side by side on top. Cover with one-third of the remaining bechamel. Sprinkle with half of the remaining cheese mixture, then top with half of the vegetable mixture. Arrange 3 more noodles on top and repeat the layers (bechamel, cheese, vegetables). Top with the remaining 3 noodles, then cover with the remaining bechamel; sprinkle with the reserved 1/2 cup cheese.
• Loosely cover the dish with foil and bake until bubbly, about 45 minutes. Turn on the broiler. Uncover the lasagna and broil until browned, about 2 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

FRESH FROM THE GARDEN BUTTERNUT SQUASH LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a large covered pot, cook squash and chicken broth over medium heat until squash is fork tender (15-20 minutes). Mash with a fork or puree squash in a food processor. Season with salt #1 and pepper #1 and set aside. In another saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook about one minute until bubbling. Slowly whisk in milk and continue cooking 5-7 minutes whisking frequently until thickened. Season with salt #2, pepper #2, and nutmeg. Coat the bottom of baking pans with a few Tablespoons of sauce. Then layer 1/3 of lasagna noodles, half of squash puree, and 1/3 of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese (divide evenly among pans). Top with some of the cream sauce, then repeat layer. Finish topping lasagna with remaining 1/3 of noodles, 1/3 of cheese, and remaining cream sauce. Bake covered at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15 more minutes. Let lasagna sit 5 minutes. Then cut and serve.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH LASAGNA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the squash and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour the water into the skillet and then cover and simmer over medium heat until the squash is tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Cool slightly and then transfer the squash to a food processor. Add the amaretti cookies and blend until smooth. Season the squash puree, to taste, with more salt and pepper.
• Melt the butter in a heavy medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, whisking often, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the nutmeg. Cool slightly. Transfer half of the sauce to a blender*. Add the basil and blend until smooth. Return the basil sauce to the sauce in the pan and stir to blend. Season the sauce with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.
• Lightly butter a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Spread 3/4 cup of the sauce over the prepared baking dish. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles on the bottom of the pan. Spread 1/3 of the squash puree over the noodles. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Drizzle 1/2 cup of sauce over the noodles. Repeat layering 3 more times.
• Tightly cover the baking dish with foil and bake the lasagna for 40 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the lasagna. Continue baking uncovered until the sauce bubbles and the top is golden, 15 minutes longer. Let the lasagna stand for 15 minutes before serving.
• *When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND BACON LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 ̊ F. Stir the butter and flour in a small bowl to make a paste. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from the skillet.
• Add the onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, parsley, sage and Italian seasoning and cook until the garlic is softened, about 1 minute. Season with 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Stir in the milk and heavy cream; bring to a simmer. Whisk in the butter-flour paste and cook until thickened, about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan and the bacon.
• Combine the mozzarella and fontina in a bowl. Spread 1/2 cup of the cream sauce on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; top with 3 lasagna noodles. Top with a layer of butternut squash slices, overlapping them, then 1/2 cup more sauce and 1/3 cup mozzarella-fontina mixture. Repeat the layering 5 more times (noodles, squash, sauce, cheese), using up all the squash. Top with the remaining 3 noodles, then the remaining sauce and mozzarella-fontina mixture. Cover with foil and bake until the squash is tender, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Mix the breadcrumbs and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan; sprinkle over the lasagna. Bake, uncovered, until golden, 15 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.