Vegetable Lasagna with Butternut Squash Noodles

Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 75 min
Servings: 8
Yield: 8 servings

Description

Butternut squash noodles step in for pasta in this vegetable lasagna with 2 kinds of cheese that's doused with from-scratch bechamel sauce.

Ingredients

1 butternut squash, peeled and thinly sliced
ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter
1 leek, thinly sliced
2 1/2 cups baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup whole milk
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons rice flour
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon onion powder
ground black pepper to taste
2 cups ricotta cheese
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Directions

1 Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2 Arrange butternut squash slices on the baking sheets. Sprinkle 1 pinch nutmeg on top.
3 Bake in the preheated oven until pliable but not mushy, about 5 minutes per side.
4 Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add leek and spinach; cook and stir until wilted, about 5 minutes.
5 Stir 1/2 cup milk, Parmesan cheese, rice flour, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and black pepper into the saucepan until combined and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
6 Arrange half of the butternut squash in the bottom of an 8-1/2x11-inch casserole dish. Layer leek mixture and ricotta cheese on top. Arrange remaining butternut squash on top.
7 Bake lasagna in the preheated oven until golden, about 40 minutes.
8 Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour until a golden paste forms, 5 to 10 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high; slowly whisk in 2 cups milk until thickened and bubbling. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer sauce until smooth, 10 to 20 minutes.
9 Season sauce with salt and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg. Pour over lasagna.