Experience a lasagna like no other with this noodle-less version. It's a game changer for those looking to switch up their usual pasta routine. This lasagna recipe replaces traditional pasta with slices of butternut squash and a hearty sausage sauce. The result is a unique, comforting dish that's full of flavor and surprisingly easy to make.
The key ingredient that might not be commonly found in your kitchen is butternut squash. This winter squash is large, slightly sweet, and has a nutty flavor that's similar to a pumpkin. You can find it in the produce section of your local supermarket. It's important to choose a butternut squash that's firm, heavy for its size, and has a matte skin.
Ingredients for Noodle-less Butternut-Sausage Lasagna
Italian chicken sausage: A leaner alternative to pork sausage. It's packed with flavor and pairs well with butternut squash.
Olive oil: Used to brown the sausage and sauté the onions and garlic.
Onion: Adds a sweet and savory depth to the sauce.
Garlic: Gives a robust flavor to the lasagna.
Crushed tomatoes: The base for our sauce.
Fresh basil: Adds a fresh, aromatic note to the sauce.
Black pepper: Brings a touch of heat and enhances the flavors.
Butternut squash: Used as a delicious, low-carb substitute for lasagna noodles.
Ricotta: A creamy cheese that adds a lightness to the lasagna.
Parmigiano Reggiano: A hard, salty cheese that's grated into the ricotta mixture for extra flavor.
Parsley: Brings freshness and color to the dish.
Egg: Binds the ricotta mixture together.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts into gooey perfection, making the lasagna irresistibly cheesy.
One reader, Fidelia Mariano says:
This noodle-less butternut-sausage lasagna recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are rich and comforting, and the butternut squash adds a delightful twist. It's a healthier alternative to traditional lasagna, and the whole family loved it. Plus, it's a great way to sneak in some extra veggies!
Techniques Required for Making Noodle-Less Butternut-Sausage Lasagna
How to brown the sausage: In a large deep nonstick skillet, cook the sausage for about 5 minutes, breaking the meat up with a wooden spoon until cooked.
How to slice butternut: Slice the butternut into ⅛-inch thick rounds using a good quality spiralizer, mandolin, or a sharp knife.
How to assemble the lasagna layers: Layer the butternut slices, ricotta cheese mixture, mozzarella cheese, and sauce in a deep 9×12-inch casserole dish according to the instructions provided.
How To Make Noodle-less Butternut-Sausage Lasagna
Instead of pasta, this Noodle-less Butternut-Sausage Lasagna is assembled with butternut squash layered with a tasty chicken meat sauce, and lots of cheese!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 14ozItalian chicken sausage,casings removed, such as Al Fresco
- 1tspolive oil
- ½large onion,chopped
- 3clovesgarlic,minced
- 28ozcrushed tomatoes,(1 can) such as Tuttorosso
- 2tbspfresh basil,chopped
- black pepper,to taste
- 3lbsbutternut,(1 large) peeled
- 1cuppart-skim ricotta
- ¼: 5px; letter-spacing: 2px”>2tbspparsley,chopped
- 1large egg
- 16ozpart-skim mozzarella cheese,shredded
Instructions
-
In a large deep nonstick skillet, brown the sausage for about 5 minutes, breaking the meat up with a wooden spoon until cooked.
-
Add the onions and garlic and cook for about 2 minutes until soft. Add the tomatoes, basil, and black pepper.
-
Simmer on low, covered 15 to 20 minutes.
-
Meanwhile, slice butternut into ⅛-inch thick rounds with a good quality spiralizer such as the Inspiralizer with Blade A.
-
To do this, slice the butternut lengthwise halfway through to the center, careful not to cut deeper than that. You can also use a mandolin or a sharp knife.
-
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
-
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, parsley, and egg. Mix.
-
In a deep 9×12-inch casserole dish spread ¾ cup of sauce on the bottom and layer 12 rounds of butternut slices to cover.
-
Spread ¾ cup of the ricotta cheese mixture, then top with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and 1 cup sauce.
-
For the second layer, lay 12 more rounds of butternut, ¾ cup of the ricotta mixture, 1 cup mozzarella, and 1 cup of sauce.
-
For the third layer, lay 12 slices butternut, 1½ cups of sauce, and cover with foil.
-
Bake covered for 30 minutes.
-
Remove the foil, cook uncovered for 30 minutes to dry out excess moisture.
-
Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling
-
Let stand for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 483.30kcal
- Fat: 27.33g
- Saturated Fat: 13.40g
- Trans Fat: 0.08g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 8.70g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.85g
- Carbohydrates: 33.82g
- Fiber: 6.04g
- Sugar: 9.53g
- Protein: 29.61g
- Cholesterol: 134.11mg
- Sodium: 1073.89mg
- Calcium: 633.36mg
- Potassium: 1126.43mg
- Iron: 3.71mg
- Vitamin A: 1086.41µg
- Vitamin C: 47.28mg
Technique Tip for Perfecting Noodle-Less Butternut-Sausage Lasagna
When slicing the butternut for your lasagna, it's important to keep the thickness consistent. This ensures even cooking throughout the dish. If you're using a knife, take your time and aim for precision. If you're finding it difficult, a mandolin slicer can be a great tool to achieve uniform slices. Also, remember to be careful while cutting the butternut, as its hard skin can make it slippery. Using a sharp knife and a stable cutting surface can help prevent any accidents.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Lasagna Recipe
Prep ahead: Chop vegetables and measure out ingredients in advance to streamline the cooking process.
Multitask: While the lasagna is baking, use that time to clean up the kitchen and prepare a simple side salad.
Use pre-cut butternut squash: Save time by purchasing pre-cut butternut squash to skip the step of slicing it yourself.
Organize your workspace: Keep all your ingredients and tools within reach to avoid wasting time searching for items while cooking.
Follow the recipe: Stick to the provided instructions to ensure efficiency and a successful outcome.
Invest in quality kitchen tools: High-quality tools such as a sharp knife and a good spiralizer can make prep work faster and more efficient.
Batch cooking: Consider making a double batch and freezing one for a future meal to save time on cooking in the future.
Substitute Ingredients For Noodle-less Butternut-Sausage Lasagna Recipe
Italian chicken sausage - Substitute with turkey sausage: Turkey sausage is a leaner alternative to Italian chicken sausage and will provide a similar savory flavor to the dish.
Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and high smoke point, making it a suitable replacement for olive oil in this recipe.
Onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder and sweeter flavor compared to onions, adding a subtle sweetness to the dish.
Garlic - Substitute with roasted garlic: Roasted garlic has a sweeter, milder flavor compared to raw garlic, which can complement the other ingredients in the lasagna.
Crushed tomatoes - Substitute with tomato sauce: Tomato sauce can be used as a substitute for crushed tomatoes, providing a smoother texture to the lasagna.
Fresh basil - Substitute with dried basil: Dried basil can be used as a substitute for fresh basil, providing a similar flavor with a smaller quantity.
Butternut - Substitute with zucchini: Thinly sliced zucchini can be used as a noodle substitute, providing a similar texture and absorbing the flavors of the dish.
Part-skim ricotta - Substitute with cottage cheese: Cottage cheese can be used as a lower-fat alternative to ricotta, providing a creamy texture to the lasagna filling.
Parmigiano Reggiano - Substitute with Pecorino Romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar sharp and salty flavor to Parmigiano Reggiano and can be used as a substitute in this recipe.
Parsley - Substitute with basil: Basil can be used as a substitute for parsley, adding a fresh and aromatic flavor to the dish.
Large egg - Substitute with flaxseed egg: A flaxseed egg can be used as a vegan alternative to a regular egg in this recipe.
Part-skim mozzarella cheese - Substitute with low-fat cheddar cheese: Low-fat cheddar cheese can be used as a substitute for part-skim mozzarella, providing a similar melting quality and flavor to the lasagna.
Best Way to Present Noodle-Less Butternut-Sausage Lasagna
Elevate with a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar: Before serving, delicately drizzle a few drops of aged balsamic vinegar over the lasagna. This will add a touch of sweetness and acidity, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves: After the lasagna is plated, carefully place a few vibrant, fresh basil leaves on top. This not only adds a pop of color but also infuses a burst of aromatic freshness to the dish.
Sprinkle with microgreens: Just before presenting the dish, sprinkle a few delicate microgreens over the lasagna. The tiny, tender greens will add a subtle hint of earthiness and a visually appealing touch.
Dust with grated Parmigiano Reggiano: Using a fine grater, dust the top of the lasagna with a light layer of freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano. This will impart a rich, nutty flavor and a luxurious finish to the dish.
Arrange butternut squash ribbons on top: Artfully arrange a few butternut squash ribbons on top of the lasagna, creating an elegant and visually stunning presentation that showcases the key ingredient of the dish.
Finish with a sprinkle of edible flower petals: For a sophisticated and refined touch, delicately sprinkle a few edible flower petals over the lasagna. This adds a touch of elegance and a subtle floral note to the dish.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making This Lasagna Recipe
Large deep nonstick skillet: A large deep nonstick skillet is used to brown the sausage and cook the sauce for the lasagna. Its nonstick surface prevents the ingredients from sticking and allows for easy cleanup.
Spiralizer: A good quality spiralizer, such as the inspiralizer with blade a, is used to slice the butternut into thin rounds. This tool helps create uniform slices for layering in the lasagna.
Mandolin: A mandolin can also be used to slice the butternut into thin, uniform rounds. It provides precision and consistency in the slicing process.
Sharp knife: A sharp knife can be used to slice the butternut into thin rounds if a spiralizer or mandolin is not available. It requires careful and precise cutting to achieve the desired thickness.
9x12-inch casserole dish: A 9x12-inch casserole dish is used to assemble and bake the lasagna. Its size and depth accommodate the layering of ingredients and allow for even cooking.
Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is used to combine the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, parsley, and egg to create the creamy cheese mixture for the lasagna.
Wooden spoon: A wooden spoon is used to break up and stir the sausage while browning it in the skillet. It is a versatile tool for cooking and stirring ingredients.
Oven: The oven is used to bake the assembled lasagna. Preheating the oven to the specified temperature ensures even cooking and melting of the cheese topping.
How to Store and Freeze Butternut Squash and Sausage Lasagna
- To store leftover lasagna, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container or tightly wrapping with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the lasagna. Wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Label with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat refrigerated lasagna, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the desired portion in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20-30 minutes or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the top, if desired.
- For frozen lasagna, you can either thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or bake it directly from frozen. If baking from frozen, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), cover the dish with foil, and bake for 45-60 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the lasagna is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- If you have leftover butternut squash slices, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They can be used in salads, sandwiches, or as a side dish for future meals.
How to Reheat Leftover Butternut Squash and Sausage Lasagna
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover lasagna in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake for about 20-30 minutes, or until the lasagna is heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking to allow the top to crisp up slightly.
If you prefer a quicker method, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place a slice of lasagna on a microwave-safe plate and heat it on high power for 1-2 minutes, or until it's heated through. Be careful not to overheat it, as the butternut squash may become mushy.
For a crispy top, you can also reheat the lasagna in a skillet. Place a slice of lasagna in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it heat for 3-4 minutes, or until the bottom is crispy and the lasagna is heated through.
If you have an air fryer, you can use it to reheat your lasagna for a crispy texture. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place a slice of lasagna in the basket. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until it's heated through and the top is slightly crispy.
To maintain the moisture in your lasagna, you can add a splash of water or tomato sauce to the dish before reheating it in the oven or microwave. This will help prevent the lasagna from drying out during the reheating process.
Random Fact About Noodle-Less Butternut-Sausage Lasagna
The butternut-sausage lasagna recipe is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional lasagna. It's a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet while still enjoying the flavors of a classic Italian dish. This recipe is packed with nutrients from the butternut squash and lean protein from the chicken sausage, making it a satisfying and wholesome meal. It's also a fantastic option for those looking to reduce their carb intake or follow a gluten-free diet, as it eliminates the need for traditional lasagna noodles. With its rich flavors and hearty texture, this noodle-less butternut-sausage lasagna is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.
Is Making Butternut Squash and Sausage Lasagna Economical for Home Cooking?
This noodle-less butternut-sausage lasagna recipe offers a cost-effective option for households. The use of affordable ingredients such as butternut squash and chicken sausage makes it budget-friendly. The dish's versatility allows for easy customization based on ingredient availability, reducing costs further. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $20, making it an economical choice. The overall verdict rates this recipe at 9 out of 10 for its affordability, nutritional value, and delicious flavors.
Is This Butternut Squash and Sausage Lasagna Healthy or Unhealthy?
This noodle-less butternut-sausage lasagna recipe is a healthier twist on the classic Italian dish. By replacing traditional pasta with thin slices of butternut squash, the recipe reduces the carbohydrate content and adds a serving of vegetables. The use of part-skim ricotta and mozzarella cheeses helps to lower the overall fat content, while still providing a good source of protein and calcium. The Italian chicken sausage is a leaner alternative to traditional pork sausage, further reducing the fat content of the dish. The addition of onions, garlic, and tomatoes provides a variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as dietary fiber.
To make this recipe even healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Use a low-sodium tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes to reduce the overall sodium content
- Increase the amount of vegetables by adding layers of sautéed spinach or kale
- Replace half of the ricotta cheese with pureed cottage cheese for a lower-fat alternative that still maintains a creamy texture
- Opt for a whole-milk mozzarella cheese, as it contains more calcium and protein than part-skim varieties
- Serve the lasagna with a side salad to increase the overall nutrient density of the meal
Editor's Thoughts on This Unique Butternut Squash Lasagna
This noodle-less butternut-sausage lasagna recipe is a delightful twist on a classic dish. The use of butternut squash instead of noodles adds a unique and healthy element to the dish, while the Italian chicken sausage brings a rich and savory flavor. The combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses creates a creamy and indulgent texture, complementing the sweetness of the butternut squash. The recipe's simplicity and balance of flavors make it a standout dish that is sure to impress.
Enhance Your Noodle-less Butternut-Sausage Lasagna Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Alternative Recipes Similar to Noodle-Less Butternut-Sausage Lasagna
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts to Serve with Butternut Squash Lasagna
Why trust this Noodle-less Butternut-Sausage Lasagna Recipe:
This noodle-less butternut-sausage lasagna recipe offers a healthy twist on a classic dish. The use of butternut squash instead of noodles reduces carbs and adds a rich, nutty flavor. The combination of italian chicken sausage and crushed tomatoes creates a savory and hearty sauce, while the blend of part-skim ricotta, parmigiano reggiano, and part-skim mozzarella cheese adds a creamy and indulgent touch. With fresh basil and parsley enhancing the flavors, this recipe promises a satisfying and wholesome dining experience.
Was this page helpful?
Have your own special recipe to share? Submit Your Recipe Today!
Related Recipes
Buca Di Beppo Lasagna Recipe
Loaf Pan Lasagna Recipe
World’s Best Lasagna Recipe
Marbled Cookie Brownies (Domino’s Copycat) Recipe
Big Mac Sloppy Joes Recipe
Shake Shack Sauce Recipe (Copycat)
-recipe-300x168.png)
Rattlesnake Bites (Texas Roadhouse Copycat) Recipe
Chocolate Mint Brownies Recipe
Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownie Bars Recipe
Rice Krispies Trail Mix Bars Recipe
Dr. Pepper BBQ Sloppy Joes Recipe
