Squash & Leek Lasagna

Contributed By: EatingWell
Eatingwell

If lasagna is just a layered noodle casserole, there's no reason to stand on ceremony. Here's a vegetarian, autumnal version with butternut squash, leeks, pine nuts and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Total Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients: Rice, Pasta & Bread
Vegetables
Actual Cooking Time: 1.5 hours
Number of Servings: More than 10
Origin: Italian
Special Features: Make Ahead
Vegetarian
Nutrition Content: Good Source of Calcium
High Fiber
Meal Type: Entree

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Ingredients

Servings: 12
10 ounces Lasagna noodles, preferably whole-wheat
2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
4 Large or 5 medium leeks, pale green and white parts only, thinly sliced and washed thoroughly (about 6 cups)
1/2 cup All-purpose flour
4 cups Nonfat milk
1 teaspoon Dried thyme
1 teaspoon Salt
3/4 teaspoon Freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon Freshly ground pepper
1 2-pound Butternut squash, peeled, halved, seeded and grated using the large-hole side of a box grater
6 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated using the large-hole side of a box grater
1/4 cup Toasted pine nuts (see Tip)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook noodles until not quite al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain; return the noodles to the pot and cover with cool water.

3. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add leeks; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 6 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the leeks; stir well. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk in a slow stream and cook, whisking constantly, until thick and bubbling, 8 to 10 minutes. Whisk in thyme, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Remove from the heat.

4. Assemble lasagna in the prepared baking dish by layering one-third of the noodles, one-third of the sauce, half the squash, one-third of the cheese, half the remaining noodles, half the remaining sauce, all the pine nuts, all the remaining squash, half the remaining cheese, all the remaining noodles, all the remaining sauce and all the remaining cheese. Cover with parchment paper then foil.

5. Bake the lasagna for 50 minutes. Uncover and bake until bubbling and lightly browned, 30 to 45 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving (or follow make-ahead instructions).

Cook's Notes

Tip: To toast chopped nuts & seeds: Cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Make Ahead Tip: Bake, let cool for 1 hour, cover with parchment paper then foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat, covered, at 350°F for 1 hour, then uncovered for 30 minutes more.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 278 ; Total Fat: 9 g ; Saturated Fat: 4 g ; Carbohydrates: 37 g ; Protein: 14 g ; Vitamin A: 7500 IU ; Vitamin C: 18 mg ; Calcium: 300 mg ; Sodium: 464 mg ; Iron: 2.7 mg ; Fiber: 6 g

Recipe Comments

Commented by: hwinter33

I just tried making this recipe and used mozzerella cheese instead and I microwaved the halved squash for about 10 minutes. Then it is cooked and I just scooped it out with a spoon or you could use a fork. and it doesn't have to cook as long in the oven. I would also like to make this recipe with some delicata squash :).

 

Commented by: agaren

My family loves this recipe. It's a nice change of pace from traditional lasagna. We freeze what we don't eat and use it for lunch or dinner on another day just like other lasagna recipes. If you have a food processor it will make shredding the squash easier but I've also peeled the squash with an apple peeler and cut it into chunks that I then shredded using a cheese grater. It was worth it.