Savory Lasagne

A few months ago at a work function, there was a potluck lunch (how much do I love those!!!??) and someone had brought a squash lasagne.  It was so tasty and savory, filled with fresh thyme and sage, and I have not been able to get it off my mind.  Only one cure for that....had to make it!  Tonight was that night (and also I had some squash that I had to use up).

Savory Squash Lasagne

But because it was Monday, it was also "super-mom-night" (really, that is every night!) as I had less than an hour to clean up, get dinner going and take my daughter to piano lessons.   Armed with only the ingredients I felt were necessary (mozza, ricotta, squash, thyme, garlic and noodles) and my common sense (i.e., no recipe), I psyched myself up get it done.  But because I always bite off more than I can chew, I also decided to make a traditional lasagne as well (I did have some homemade spaghetti sauce in my freezer...so should be easy to throw that together, right??).  First step, defrost the spaghetti sauce.  Done.  With the noodles boiling, I then cut the squash into quarters, and decided that as time was a factor, I would nuke them too.   It took almost 15 - 20 minutes in the microwave, and just they were done, the microwave shut down.  Whatever. Carry on!   4:45...gotta leave by 5:15!  Noodles done and cheese grated.  Next, I scooped out the squash and mashed it up a little. I decided to saute it with a bit of grapeseed oil and fresh garlic and thyme.  4:55...tick tock, tick tock! Kitchen is a disaster, but gosh darnit I will have dinner ready before piano!   Ok..no time to fuss any more, time to layer it up.   A bit of squash on the bottom with some water mixed in, and then the layers...squash, ricotta, mozza, noodles....squash, ricotta, mozza, noodles.....and the finishing touch....a bit more mozza.  5:15...time to go, but not before slapping together the trad-lasagne...easy breezy, layer sauce, cheese, noodles....I could do this in my sleep!  Done...5:20....in the oven and out the door!

End result?  A delicious lasagne that was sweet and savory and extremely delicious!   And dinner was ready by the time we got home from piano!!  An awesome "Meatless Monday" meal (with a traditional lasagne on the side)...and dinner is all ready for tomorrow!  Leftover Tuesday!  Love it!


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Savory Lasagne

2 acorn squash
fresh garlic
fresh thyme
fresh sage (optional)
ricotta (maybe 1 cup?)
shredded mozza (1 - 2 cups)
9 cooked lasagne noodles

1. Boil noodles, and set aside
2.  Prepare squash.  Can quarter them and nuke them if you are in a rush, but if you have time, roasting them in the oven would probably be better.  Can roast with some savory herbs and a bit of olive oil and garlic.
3.  Scoop out squash once softened and mash but not puree.
4.  Saute squash with a bit of grapeseed oil and add in some fresh garlic and thyme (and sage if you have any)
5. Once done, begin layering, with the first layer being a bit of squash mixed with water to cover the bottom of the pan.  Layer noodles, then squash, ricotta and mozza.  Continue to layer, ending with noodles and shredded cheese.  Bake at 350 for about 50 minutes.