Image by Taste and Tell

The days are getting shorter and the breeze is getting colder…. 

It’s about time to cozy up with some savory fall favorites!

The holiday season can be a busy, hectic, and downright stressful time for a lot of people. Of course, there are a few breaks here and there during the holidays, but the season can add a lot more stress than we’d like. What, with the extravagant cooking and searching for the perfect gifts for the holidays, it can feel like 24 hours is not enough to accomplish everything in a single day. Not to mention the transition with daylight savings making the days literally shorter, it’s more than likely you have felt the chaos that comes with the magnificent season.

That’s not to say it’s not a magical time of the year! In fact, fall is packed with so many unique activities and events, as well as perks such as delicious food! The right dishes can make any extra stress of the holiday season disappear. Enjoy the moments with loved ones savoring the aromatic and flavorful dishes granted by the season and take time to be present again. Dinner is a wonderful opportunity to practice mindfulness and spend some quality times these days, which is even more enjoyable with great food! This week, we’re sharing a recipe for a fall-flavored dinner that’s sure to warm your belly and your heart and help you remember what makes this season so special!

Image and recipe originally by Taste and Tell

Savory Butternut Squash Lasagna 

Minimal effort with incredible results? Yes, please! This simple recipe can be prepared in a single skillet and features some unforgettable seasonal flavor combinations such as butternut squash, creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, fresh and herby rosemary and basil, and so much more! It’s the perfect ending to a lovely fall day! 

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 75 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound butternut squash, cubed
• 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 pinch nutmeg, freshly grated
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 6 no-boil lasagna noodles
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF and prepare the butternut squash (if not already cubed). 
2. Place squash on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Use a spatula or spoon to make sure squash is evenly coated. Spread the squash into a single layer and place in the oven, roasting for 25-30 minutes or until fork-tender. Rotate the squash cubes every 7-10 minutes to make sure they are cooking evenly. Once fully cooked, remove from the oven and set aside for a few minutes to let cool.* 
3. In a medium bowl, combine the squash, ricotta, ¾ cup of the Parmesan, rosemary, and the nutmeg. In a separate bowl, combine the marinara with the basil.
4. At this point you will be building the layers for the lasagna and they should be stacked as follows: spread ½ cup of the marinara in the bottom of a large nonstick skillet. Then, place 2 of the (uncooked) lasagna noodles down. Spread half of the butternut squash mixture over the tops of the lasagna noodles and top with ⅓ of the mozzarella cheese. Place two more lasagna noodles on top of the mozzarella and spread the remaining butternut squash mixture over the top, as well as the remaining marinara sauce and the rest of the mozzarella. Finally, sprinkle the remaining Parmesan on top of the entire thing. 
5. Cover the skillet and cook over medium-low heat until the pasta is tender, and the cheese is melted. This step should take about 20 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, check to see if the edges look dry, and if they do, add up to 1/2 cup of water. Once ready, let the lasagna sit for 5 minutes before serving.
6. Serve warm and garnish with fresh basil, rosemary, or oregano (optional) and enjoy! 

*This step can be eliminated by selecting pre-prepared butternut squash cubes from the grocery store such as this Great Value brand or from Publix. They can be steamed in the microwave and sprinkled with a dash of salt and pepper to reduce cooking time and the amount of dishes! 

If you find yourself getting bogged down by the drop in temperatures, the chaos of the holiday season, and finding your days being shorter than you’d like, take time to appreciate the important things the season brings, like food! This recipe is the perfect excuse to spend some much-needed quality time enjoying homemade meals with your family! 

We hope you enjoy this article for One Skillet Butternut Squash Lasagna. If you tried incorporating these things into your regular routine, make sure to let us know! For more recipes, follow us on social media and make sure to check out our weekly blog posts where we share our new favorite recipes and must-know facts about food and living a healthy lifestyle! Check out the other meal options Mealfit provides such as our Weekly Specials, Individual Meals, and other Meals by the Pound.