Description
This Butternut Squash Lasagna is a hearty and healthy twist on traditional lasagna, layering tender slices of butternut squash with savory ground beef, rich tomato-based pasta sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese. It’s a comforting casserole-style dish baked to perfection, perfect for a family dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Vegetables & Meat
- 2 lbs butternut squash, peeled and sliced into ¼ to ½-inch slices
- 1 pound ground beef
Sauce
- 25 ounces tomato-based pasta sauce (marinara, garden veggie, or homemade tomato sauce works well)
Cheese
- 16 ounces mozzarella cheese or melting cheese of choice, grated
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the lasagna.
- Prepare Butternut Squash: Peel the butternut squash using a vegetable peeler. Cut off the ends and slice it into ¼ to ½ inch rounds starting from the tip, then scoop out seeds from the tail end and continue slicing into thin U shapes, using the entire squash.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large thick-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it into smaller pieces with a spatula. Brown it until almost fully cooked, without adding oil unless necessary.
- Add Sauce to Meat: Stir in the tomato-based pasta sauce with the browned beef. Bring to a controlled boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
- Assemble Lasagna: Spray a 13” x 9” casserole dish with cooking spray. Spread a light layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Arrange a single layer of butternut squash slices without overlapping. Spread one-third of the meat sauce evenly over the squash, then sprinkle one-third of the grated mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Repeat to create two more identical layers.
- Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake on the center rack in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, until the butternut squash is tender to your liking.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the lasagna from the oven and allow it to cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with your choice of side dishes such as a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or bread and butter.
Notes
- You can use marinara, garden veggie, or homemade tomato sauce interchangeably for best flavor.
- Make sure the butternut squash slices are thin and even for uniform cooking.
- Letting the lasagna rest before serving helps it set and makes slicing easier.
- Feel free to substitute mozzarella with any melting cheese of your preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
