Get this butternut squash and spinach lasagna on the menu before the cold weather goes away for good! It is cheesy, feel-good comfort food done right.
butternut squash and spinach lasagna

This is our last chance meal.

Like, on The Biggest Loser, there are the last chance workouts where all the contestants starve themselves for 24 hours, take diuretics to pee out as much water weight as possible, and come close to cardiac arrest at the gym.

Except opposite because our “last chance” involves ricotta, mozzarella, pasta, and BUTTERNUT SQUASH.

All things that are very much not allowed on “last chance workout” days but very much encouraged on “last chance meal” days. Do you see the difference?

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“Last chance”, in this case, because soon we will be way too sweltering to turn on our ovens (<–wishful thinking from the girl who saw snow fall from the sky yesterday morning) and far too focused on heirloom tomatoes and sweet summer corn to give a second glance at our once favorite orange vegetable.

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Fine, it’s still our(/my) favorite. But absence makes the heart grow fonder and if it means I can leave my apartment with fewer than five layers on and not risk frostbite, I’m willing to say goodbye for a few months.

Butternut, it’s been real. Until mid-August September!

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(I’ll try to wait that long this year. Really. Pinky swear.)

(But probably more like the end of July.)

Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna
 
Get this butternut squash and spinach lasagna on the menu before the cold weather goes away for good! It is cheesy, feel-good comfort food done right.
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
  • 1¼ lb butternut squash, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 onion, diced
  • ½ lb roasted red peppers, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp Tuscan seasoning
  • 8 oz ricotta cheese
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 lb fresh mozzarella, shredded, divided
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 lb lasagna noodles
  • 5 oz baby spinach leaves
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400. Toss the butternut squash with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt and black pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes or until tender.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Saute the onion, roasted peppers, garlic, and tuscan seasoning with a pinch of salt until tender, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
  3. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the butternut squash, ricotta, and eggs until smooth and creamy. Remove to a bowl and stir in ½ cup mozzarella, the onion, roasted red pepper, and garlic mix. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
  4. Lower oven to 375.
  5. Spread about ½ cup of the sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan. Spread a layer of the lasagna noodles over the bottom. Cover with half of the ricotta mixture, a layer of sauce, ⅓ of the mozzarella, and half of the spinach. Cover with another layer of noodles, followed by the remaining ricotta, another layer of sauce, ½ of the remaining mozzarella, and the remainder of the spinach.
  6. Cover with a final layer of noodles, a generous layer of sauce and the rest of the mozzarella.
  7. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes, or until cheese is starting to brown and bubble. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 slice

For more veggie-licious lasagnas, check out these!

Veggie Lasagna…Baked Bree

Free-Form Vegetarian Lasagna…Bev Cooks

Zucchini Lasagna…Running to the Kitchen

Asparagus and Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Lasagna…Eats Well With Others

Sweet Potato Spinach Pesto Lasagna Rolls…Eats Well With Others

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60 Responses to Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna

  1. Simply Life says:

    yes! I hope after I eat this I will be too warm to even think about turning the oven on again!

  2. I never make lasagna nearly often enough…but every time I have it, I love it. And I would FOR SURE love this version! Looks soooo good.

  3. The squash section at my grocery store has been sadly dwindling down to a small, squash box, so I was JUST thinking I need more b-nut in my life. Perfect timing

  4. Corina says:

    I love any lasagna and I’m sure it’s going to be lasagna weather here for quite a while yet!

  5. Love the idea of butternut squash pureed right into the sauce Joanne! My kids are not huge butternut squash fans, so I find pureeing them is a great way to get them to eat it.

  6. BEST last chance meal ever, LOVE this!

  7. looks so appetizing! we really need to use butternut squash more often!

  8. Kathryn says:

    Bye bye squash! This is the perfect meal to celebrate the end of the season though especially if it’s still snowing outside, whatever the calendar may say about it being spring.

  9. Isn’t it funny now that we’re at the end of winter we’re all clambering to make those last minute oven dishes. This looks so darn good!

  10. Deena kakaya says:

    Pasta, Cheese and spinach, could it get anymore dreamy? Oh yes…the sweetness of squash. Delish x

  11. good call on getting this last lasagna in before the weather turns!! I love this version!

  12. I’ve been known to make soup in August…when it’s 105 degrees outside. I’m pretty sure there’s some type of law against that, right? So, put the handcuffs on. Because I can’t live 6 months out of the year without it, or lasagna. I’m a rebel like that.

  13. Love butternut squash!!! Luckily so do my kiddos! Look at that cheese, yum me! I can’t believe it’s still snowing on the east coast. I won’t mention that it’s in the 80’s here 😉

  14. I am jealous that you can find butternut squash at this time of year! This looks fantastic, Joanne.

  15. cheri says:

    Love this combination!

  16. Cassie says:

    I love a good meatless lasagna, especially with butternut squash. Looks fabulous, Joanne!

  17. Julia says:

    Oh my flippity flam! <- – – please forgive. This lasagna would be my last chance meal, too. I love me some BNS, and believe with every fiber of my soul that it's in season year round. Love this. Gorgeous. Need it in my face.

  18. Kinsey says:

    That looks absolutely scrumptious! I love butternut squash lasagna–I often make mine with mushroom duxelles and goat cheese, but I hope to try your version soon!

  19. SallyBR says:

    You know, I ALMOST made a butternut squash lasagna for a dinner get together that included one person who is vegetarian. I should really do this for hubby and I – not sure you ever watch FoodTV, but once Giada had a recipe for veggie lasagna using butternut squash in one of the layers, and for her puree, she added crumbled amaretto type cookies – just a touch. I thought it was interesting, just to add some crunch to the creamy squash – maybe some roasted bits of hazelnuts could be nice too?

    so many recipes, so little time….

  20. Love this combo – butternut squash and spinach – in lasagna form! I think this wouldn’t even need the noodles!

  21. Oh man, now I’m craving lasagna! I need some now!

  22. I love your comfort food I do, but I’m so tired of winter foods–I want spring dammit!
    It’s the end of March and I’m still eating hot soup to warm my bones in the middle of a blizzard!

  23. Shannon says:

    yum. although if I just wait a few more days… I will miss the cold window. right? sigh.

  24. I’ll take a big pan of this cheesy last chance meal, please!

  25. I like how you are trying to will nice weather with a super hearty, comforting winter dish. well played – i hope it works!

  26. This lasagna looks so thick and is totally a #shoveitallinmymouth type meal! I’m still hanging on to squash since it feels like January, but am sooooo looking forward to spring vegetables. Love this friend!

  27. Looks sooooo good! I can just imagine myself at the kitchen counter, picking at this with a fork and not even bothering with a plate. And I bet it would taste amazing next-day in a sandwich too.

  28. i have been seeing butternut squash with some sort of pasta in few places today…hmm its a sign i s hould get on it soon.

  29. Kate says:

    I used to make something similar every year during Lent for one of my friends who gave up meat for the time period.

  30. Juliana says:

    Wow Joanne, this lasagna is packed with delicious ingredients…and looks so pretty!
    Thanks for the recipe…hope you are enjoying your week 😀

  31. sandra says:

    Love your before and after shots – the way the cheese melted in such nice patterns.

  32. Megan says:

    I’ll miss butternut squash too. What a great send-off! But I can’t wait for tomatoes and corn!

  33. Man I need some of that fresh mozzarella, it looks wonderful.

  34. Lynn says:

    That’s just a vision to behold – I know it’s good.

  35. Joyti says:

    Ooo, yum! We ran out of squash here a couple months ago…but this looks incredible!

  36. Looks delicious! While it’s been feeling like spring here for the last few months (sorry east coast) I am still loving the idea of winter/fall flavors!

  37. I bet you could sub in cauliflower or zucchini or something in the off season…. or what about sweet potatoes?!?!?! OK sorry I got too carried away with the ideas and love I have for this recipe!!!!

  38. Barbara says:

    That looks great, Joanne, love all the gooey cheese on top!
    I truly hope spring has arrived in NYC. You’ve had enough!

  39. P says:

    So beautiful!! Haha, no but seriously—it’s like the cheese forms its own layer of crust!!

  40. gloria says:

    I love this spinachs lasadne look amazing! But I forget to buy spinachs!
    I bookmarked when I have My dagther will love this and me too!!

  41. Hotly Spiced says:

    This looks gorgeous. Stunning. Love it. The presentation is mouth-watering (I’m a little hungry because it’s lunchtime). I can’t believe it’s still snowing! xx

  42. Johanna GGG says:

    we’ve suddenly had some cold weather in melbourne that makes me feel like lasagna should be on the menu – however it is going to be 29 C on monday so we haven’t seen the end of the warm weather

  43. I saw your picture on Intagram and I couldn’t wait to see your recipe. Your lasagna looks just amazing! I am soooooooooo bookmarking this recipe!

  44. I’m pretty sure I’m the unofficial winner of all last chance meals.

  45. Cheesy, veggified comfort food…yes please!

  46. YUM! This is our kind of comfort food !! Love the recipe joanne!

  47. I love vegetarian lasagnas, but I’m kinda tired of the same old spinach and mushrooms. This looks fab!!

  48. I actually have another butternut recipe to post soon. I don’t want to say goodbye yet!

  49. Eileen says:

    Hooray for lasagna! This sounds like the best project for a long, lazy weekend afternoon. Plus then you get lasagna at the end! Perfect.

  50. I don’t want to say goodbye to butternut squash either :”( But I’d so love a piece of this last chance lasagna. Ahhh it looks incredible!

  51. Reeni says:

    Thanks for making my lasagna Joanne! I’ll be missing squash like crazy but it will only taste that much better after going months without it!

  52. Danguole says:

    I like your last chances much better than the Biggest Loser. For real. Biggest winner, right here!

  53. Rebecca says:

    Yep, right there with you on the last chance meal, apart from I’m going INTO winter here in Australia, so this is on the menu once we start getting those frosty frozen nights.

    x

  54. I love this combo! And I saw snow (AGAIN!!) this morning… this would be the perfect comfort food to combat that icky winter garbage 🙂

  55. This sounds so amazing! I once had one of the best butternut squash enchiladas at a restaurant…it was just pureed butternut squash with the tortilla, cheese and something spicy (maybe jalapenos). Simple but fantastic.

  56. Oooooh, that last slice! Can I have it??

  57. […] Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna – ready to bake […]

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