Winter Kale, Sausage, and Butternut Squash Lasagna
Try this Winter Kale, Sausage, and Butternut Squash Lasagna recipe.
Try this Winter Kale, Sausage, and Butternut Squash Lasagna recipe.
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 medium butternut squash
- 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese
- 1 large shallot minced
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 6 fresh sage leaves
- 4 sausage links decased
- 5 cups chopped kale
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (grated not shredded!)
- Carbohydrate 28.3812256172556 g
- Cholesterol 54.3150000161166 mg
- Fat 6.48342578536233 g
- Fiber 4.24150416307847 g
- Protein 10.3094742246716 g
- Saturated Fat 3.42781383172817 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (280g)
- Sodium 109.706276801097 mg
- Sugar 24.1397214541771 g
- Trans Fat 0.475809385629303 g
- Calories 199 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Cut the bulbous bottom off the butternut squash (the seeded part). Slice the top off to ensure that it’s perfectly flat. Peel the butternut squash entirely. If the butternut squash is longer than 6 inches, slice it into two manageable pieces. Slice halfway through the butternut squash, just to the center (careful not to go further).
- Spiralize the squash, using Blade A.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat and add in the olive oil. Once oil heats, add in the sage leaves and cook until crispy, careful not to burn. Transfer the sage leaves to a small paper towel lined plate and set aside.
- Immediately crumble in the sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, 5-7 minutes. Then, add in the kale, garlic, red pepper flakes, shallots and season with salt and pepper. Cook the mixture for 2-3 minutes or until kale is wilted.
- While the sausage is cooking, add the ricotta, parmesan and egg to a bowl. Whisk together and set aside.
- Once the sausage is done, gather all of your prepared ingredients. Take out a casserole dish (I use 4.2 quart) and add a layer of the butternut squash to the bottom. Then, add a layer of the kale and sausage mixture. Then, add in a layer of ricotta mixture. Top with a layer of butternut squash. Then, add a layer of the kale and sausage mixture. Then, add in a layer of ricotta mixture. Top with a layer of the butternut squash and then, top with all of the gruyere cheese.
- Cover the casserole dish with tinfoil and bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes. After 40 minutes, poke the top layer and if you can easily pierce through the butternut squash, it’s done. If you can’t, bake another 5 minutes.
- After the 40 minutes of baking, take the dish out of the oven, remove the tinfoil top and immediately sprinkle with sage topping. Then, let rest for 5 minutes. After resting, carefully cut the lasagna into 6 equal portions.
A Cozy Winter Night: My Butternut Squash and Kale Lasagna
The aroma of roasted butternut squash and savory sausage fills my kitchen, a comforting scent that perfectly embodies a chilly winter evening. Tonight, I'm sharing my recipe for a lasagna that's a little different, a little more autumnal, and entirely delicious. Forget the heavy, traditional meat lasagna; this version is lighter, brighter, and packed with seasonal vegetables. It's the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out, perfect for a quiet night in or a gathering with friends and family.
The inspiration for this recipe struck me during a recent trip to a local farmer's market. The vibrant orange butternut squash, the deep green kale, and the fragrant sage – all beckoned from their stalls, promising a culinary adventure. I’d already planned a lasagna, but the usual recipe felt…uninspired. Then, I saw it: the perfect combination of textures and flavors waiting to be unleashed. I envisioned the creamy ricotta, the earthy kale, the sweetness of the squash, all nestled between layers of perfectly baked pasta. And that's exactly what I created. This lasagna isn't just a meal; it's an experience.
I love how versatile this recipe is. Feel free to experiment! Perhaps you’d like to add some mushrooms for an extra earthy note, or swap out the gruyere for another cheese that you prefer. Maybe you're a vegetarian and want to omit the sausage altogether? The possibilities are endless. The beauty of cooking lies in the ability to adapt, to create something uniquely your own. And even more, the pleasure of sharing the fruits of your culinary labor with loved ones.
This recipe is a celebration of simple ingredients, expertly combined to create a dish that’s both hearty and satisfying. The process of layering the ingredients is almost meditative; each layer adds depth and complexity to the final product. It's a labor of love, but one that's absolutely worth the effort. The final result is a lasagna that's both visually stunning and incredibly flavorful. The butternut squash provides a natural sweetness that balances the savory sausage, while the kale adds a welcome earthiness. And the cheese? Oh, the cheese! It's a symphony of creamy ricotta, sharp parmesan, and nutty gruyere, all melting together in perfect harmony.
Beyond the Recipe: For me, cooking is more than just preparing food; it's a connection to my heritage, a way to express my creativity, and a means of bringing people together. This lasagna, with its vibrant colors and comforting flavors, is a testament to that. It's a dish that embodies the warmth of home, the joy of sharing a meal, and the simple pleasure of good food.
So, on a cold winter's night, when you're looking for a dish that will both nourish and delight, look no further than this butternut squash and kale lasagna. It's a recipe that's sure to become a staple in your kitchen, a testament to the simple pleasures of life, and a delicious way to make every winter night feel a little bit cozier.
Enjoy!
