🍲 Winter Layered Lasagna with Butternut, Spinach & Three Cheeses
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When temperatures drop and comfort food cravings rise, lasagna always delivers. But this winter, we’re giving it a seasonal twist with roasted butternut squash, sautéed spinach, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and a touch of Parmesan — layered between tender pasta sheets and rich marinara sauce. The result? A cozy, hearty, vegetarian dish that’s perfect for family dinners, weekend comfort, or festive gatherings.
This isn’t your ordinary lasagna. With winter squash and earthy greens, it balances rich and bright flavors, and magically transforms simple ingredients into something unforgettable.
🥄 Why This Winter Layered Lasagna Works
✔️ Seasonal winter vegetables (butternut & spinach)
✔️ Layers of creamy, cheesy comfort
✔️ Great make-ahead or freezer meal
✔️ Easy to customize (add sausage, mushrooms, or bechamel)
✔️ Perfect for weeknights or entertaining
🍽️ Ingredients (Serves ~6)
Vegetables & Sauce
- 4 cups butternut squash, cubed and roasted
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 4 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Cheese Layers
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
Pasta
-
12 lasagna noodles (no-boil or cooked per package)
🍳 Instructions
-
Roast the squash:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss butternut with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 20–25 minutes until tender and caramelized. -
Prepare the spinach:
In a pan, sauté onion and garlic in a bit of olive oil until translucent. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. -
Mix the ricotta layer:
In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, oregano, half the Parmesan, salt, and pepper. -
Assemble the lasagna:
In a 9×13 baking dish:
- Spread a thin layer of marinara.
- Layer noodles over sauce.
- Spread half the ricotta mixture, roasted squash, and spinach.
- Sprinkle mozzarella.
- Add more sauce.
Repeat layers, finishing with sauce and the remaining mozzarella + Parmesan.
-
Bake:
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 10–15 more until bubbly and golden. -
Rest & serve:
Let cool 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh herbs if you like.
❄️ Serving & Pairing Ideas
- Serve with a crisp green salad and balsamic vinaigrette
- Garlic bread or herb focaccia on the side
- Pair with a light red wine (Pinot Noir) or a sparkling apple mocktail
🧡 Why It’s Trending This Winter
- Comfort food with seasonal produce
- Vegetable-forward but rich enough for celebrations
- Great for batch cooking & leftovers
- Broad appeal (veg-forward but tasty for omnivores)