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This Roasted Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna is the perfect baked pasta for cozy November and December nights with family and friends. Beautiful layers of seasonal butternut squash, creamy buttery béchamel sauce, spinach, and lasagna noodles, all come together in this vegetable-focused lasagna. It’s vibrant, creamy, a little cheesy, and so delicious! Top the lasagna with salty prosciutto before baking for a warming dinner that’s mouth-wateringly delicious. This is a great, make-ahead lasagna for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, and all the upcoming holiday dinner parties.
This post is sponsored by Vermont Creamy.
My favorite recipes this time of year are the ones that are simple to prepare, feed a big crowd, and can be made ahead of time. With Thanksgiving so close, and Friendsgiving happening all month long, recipes like this lasagna are perfect to have in your back pocket for gatherings with family and friends.
I know that this coming weekend is the big weekend for Friendsgiving here in the US. So with that in mind, I’m sharing not only this delicious (almost vegetarian) lasagna, but all my best tips and tricks for hosting!
First, the details…
It’s probably no secret…because I’ve said this a million times over, but lasagna is my go-to dish for entertaining. Every year I love to come up with a new recipe to share. This butternut squash lasagna is my personal favorite. Sure I really love a classic lasagna, but my true favorites sway more towards anything with butternut squash. Add a buttercream sauce and you’ve sealed the deal.
Start off with the squash. It’s simply roasted, then mashed, and stirred together with creamy ricotta cheese. I like to use a lot of squash to get a really great flavor and color.
While the squash is roasting, make the béchamel sauce. As always, I used my Aunt Katie’s base recipe for this sauce, as I’ve yet to create a better version. It’s a delicious mix of garlic, sage, rosemary, spinach, and buttery gouda cheese.
But her real secret to a great béchamel? A generous amount of butter…the key to everything this time of year. I used Vermont Creamery Cultured Butter for especially delicious flavor, richness, and creaminess. Using high-quality ingredients are so important to me. I love knowing that they use only two simple ingredients: cream and cultures (and sea salt if you’re using the salted butter).
Unlike traditional butter, Vermont Creamery’s Cultured Butter is fermented for 20 hours then churned to 82% butterfat. This provides the butter with an incredibly rich taste and creamy texture. It has a delightful tang and notes of buttermilk and hazelnut, which pair so nicely with the warming herbs and spices I’ve used throughout this recipe.
Once the squash has been roasted and the sauce made, simply layer everything together with easy, no-boil lasagna noodles.
Now, this next ingredient is optional, but one I really do love. Prosciutto. I like to add a little salty prosciutto to the top of the lasagna before baking. As the dish bakes, the prosciutto crisps and adds a really nice salty flavor.
Of course, if you’re vegetarian you can easily omit this!
I really can’t begin to describe just how delicious this roasted butternut squash and spinach lasagna is. Something about these flavors all layered together and baked is just beyond GOOD. The squash has an amazing caramelized flavor from slow roasting. And the sauce is incredibly rich and creamy and brightens up with the addition of spinach. When everything is put together, you get a rich, creamy, and super cheesy pasta. Every last bite is DELICIOUS!
My best tips for Friendsgiving entertaining.
tip one: start with a cooking schedule. This is KEY. I spoke about this in more detail last year, but I have to note this tip again. Once you have your menu set, plan out when each dish needs to be going into the oven, and when it’s coming out. Writing out a game-plan is the most helpful tool for creating a laid back, stress-free night, full of delicious food.
tip two: assign guests dishes to bring to your dinner. Trust me, there’s no reason you need to be making ALL the food. Make your favorite recipes, and have friends and family bring everything else. Just be sure you assign everyone what they need to bring. That way you won’t end up with multiple sweet potato casseroles.
tip three: make/prepare as many recipes as you can ahead of time. Don’t plan any recipes that require you to hover over the stove all night long. It’s best to work with recipes you can assemble in advance, like this lasagna!
tip five: set the table the night before. I can’t stress this one enough. If you want a nicely set table, set it the night before…or even the week before. My grandma taught me this tip and it’s the only way I can guarantee a beautifully set table. If I try to do it the day of I always run out of time.
Hoping this helps you all create an amazing night with family and friends!
PS. if you’re looking for a great salad to go along with this hearty pasta, I highly recommend this. It’s always a crowd favorite.
If you make this roasted butternut squash and spinach lasagna, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Watch the How To Video:
Roasted Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna.
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 1458 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 6 cups cubed butternut squash (about 1 medium squash)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 6 tablespoons Vermont Creamery Cultured Butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 12 fresh sage leaves
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
- 1 cup shredded gouda or fontina cheese
- 2 cups whole milk ricotta
- 2 cups shredded provolone
- 2 packages (10 ounce) frozen spinach, thawed and drained or 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 box no-boil lasagna noodles
- 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, torn (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.2. On a baking sheet, toss together the butternut squash, olive oil, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Transfer to the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes or until the squash is tender. 3. Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the butter, garlic, sage, and rosemary, in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until the butter begins to brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the sage and rosemary from the skillet. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute. Slowly add the milk and broth, whisking until combined. Stir in the nutmeg and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and stir for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the gouda or fontina cheese and the spinach. Stir until the cheese is melted. Remove from the heat.4. In a medium bowl, mash the roasted butternut squash until mostly smooth. Stir in the ricotta. Season with salt and pepper.5. Spread 1/4 of the cheese sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with 3-4 lasagna sheets. Spread with 1/2 the butternut squash mixture, and then another 1/4 of the cheese sauce, and a handful of provolone. Repeat the layering until all the squash and sauce have been used...don't stress about making it perfect. Arrange the prosciutto on top, if using. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until the top has bubbled up and browned a bit. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Top with the reserved fried sage and rosemary. Enjoy!
Notes
To Make Ahead: Prepare the lasagna through step 5, but do not bake. Cover and store the assembled lasagna in the fridge for up to 2 days. To bake, remove the lasagna from the fridge while the oven preheats, then bake as directed.
To Freeze: Prepare the lasagna through step 5, but do not bake. Cover and wrap tightly in foil, then plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw: thaw the lasagna overnight in the fridge. To bake from frozen, remove the plastic wrap and bake, covered at 375 for 1 hour or until the center is hot. Remove the foil and bake another 40-45 minutes, until the top has browned.
To Make Gluten Free: Use gluten free no-boil lasagna noodles and an equal amount of your favorite gluten free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. I recommend Cup4Cup gluten free flour.
{This post is sponsored by Vermont Creamy. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Half Baked Harvest cooking!}
What recipe book has the roasted butternut squash spinach recipe in it? I would love to buy the book.
Hi Denise,
This recipe is only on the blog:) The recipes that are in the cookbooks are exclusive to the books! xx
I made this for a Friendsgiving potluck at my grad school, and it was an absolute hit! Multiple people told me that it was the best dish that was at the potluck (and they were craving it for days after), so thank you so much Tieghan for sharing this recipe with us! You are brilliant 🙂
Hey Dian,
Happy Friday!!❄️ Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was a winner! xx
What if you don’t have fresh herbs?
Hey Krista,
Dried herbs will work just fine for you, a general rule of thumb is for every 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs you can use 1 teaspoon of dried herbs. I hope you love this recipe! xT
Absolutely brilliant. What a clever idea to fry the herbs in the butter for the bechamel sauce! Will be using that trick going’s forward!
Hey Tracey,
Thanks so much!! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe and thanks for making it! xT
Hello! Can I make this without the provolone? I only have mozza and cheddar mix cheese 🫣
Hey there,
Totally, any cheese you like will work well for you:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Used all Gouda for the space and the cheese layer, and subbed kale for the spinach! Saw another comment about wishing it was saucier but I had the opposite problem, turned out very runny and messy, but the flavour is soooo good so I don’t mind.
Hey Jocelyn,
Happy Friday!! I am delighted to hear that this recipe turned out tasty for you, thanks a bunch for giving it a try!
This was delicious I totally forgot the prosciutto, despite buying it for this oops,
subbed in two cups of our homegrown/homemade pumpkin puree for the butternut squash and a mix of gouda and jarlsberg for the provolone cheese layers, and my 3 and 5 year old kids ate it just fine except for the crunchy top noodles but they are weird that’s the best part.
Will definitely be on the menu again always looking for something creative to do with our winter squash haul!
Hey Samantha,
Fantastic!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and sharing your review:)
This was amazing! I made and froze then baked and it came out perfectly as is! As always, thank you!
Hi Sandra,
Happy Wednesday! I love to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks so much for making it!
I am hosting a dinner party and after looking at all of your lasagna recipes I have decided this is the one I am going to try. Do you think this would be good with meat added? I am thinking chicken or Italian sausage. Which do you think would blend best with the other flavors? I am so excited to give this a go! I regularly incorporate your recipes into my weekly meal plans and every single one has been a hit! It has been so fun to follow along with your culinary adventures!
Hey Emily,
Totally, I like ground sausage would be great with this dish! I hope you all love the recipe, let me know how it turns out! xx
I made this last night and loved the flavors! Can I use regular lasagna noodles instead of oven ready noodles?
Hey Alessandra,
If you do, you will want to cook them until al dente and then follow the recipe. I hope you love it! xx
Do you use chicken or veg broth? Think chicken is more flavour.
Don ‘t know what to choose?
Hi Chandelle,
I like to use chicken broth:) Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you! xT
This was SO good! Made as is and was 10/10! Next time I’ll add some spicy Italian sausage but honestly was so good as written. Thanks for another banger, Tieghan!!
Hi Christina,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
Very good! I wished the final result was a bit saucier, but delicious flavor.
Hi Kara,
Happy Monday!! I truly appreciate you trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad it was enjoyed! xx
This is so freakin good. A bit of work, but totally with it. Delish!!
Hi Ann,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I am so glad it was a hit! Thanks for sharing your review!? xT
I decided to make this after making the butternut squash pasta. I had most of the ingredients on hand and figured why not. It was pretty tasty. I may experiment with adding another vegetable or two. But the recipe is good just as written. I cook for one so I froze half of this. (It reheats well too.)
Thanks ?
Hey Brittany,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! xx
Made this tonight! It was delicious. I needed to roast the squash a bit longer to get good flavor. Thank you!
Hi Mindy,
Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am glad to hear that it was enjoyed. Have the best weekend!! xTieghan
Wonderful dish. I made it ahead of time and froze it. Makes entertaining simple. Served it with roasted pork tenderloin and a delicious fall Apple salad from this website. A keeper.
Hey Alex,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best weekend! xT