Squash and Leek Lasagna
If lasagna is just a layered noodle casserole, there's no reason to stand on ceremony. Here's a vegetarian, autumnal version with butternut squash, leeks, pine nuts and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Ingredients
  • 10 ounces lasagna noodles, preferably whole-wheat
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 large or 5 medium leeks, pale green and white parts only, thinly sliced and washed thoroughly (about 6 cups)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups nonfat milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 2-pound butternut squash, peeled, halved, seeded and grated using the large-hole side of a box grater
  • 6 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated using the large-hole side of a box grater
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, (see Tip)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook noodles until not quite al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain; return the noodles to the pot and cover with cool water.
3. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add leeks; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 6 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the leeks; stir well. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk in a slow stream and cook, whisking constantly, until thick and bubbling, 8 to 10 minutes. Whisk in thyme, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Remove from the heat.
4. Assemble lasagna in the prepared baking dish by layering one-third of the noodles, one-third of the sauce, half the squash, one-third of the cheese, half the remaining noodles, half the remaining sauce, all the pine nuts, all the remaining squash, half the remaining cheese, all the remaining noodles, all the remaining sauce and all the remaining cheese. Cover with parchment paper then foil.
5. Bake the lasagna for 50 minutes. Uncover and bake until bubbling and lightly browned, 30 to 45 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving (or follow make-ahead instructions).
Nutrition Information
Per serving
Calories: 278
Carbohydrates: 37g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
Protein: 14g
Cholesterol: 19mg
Dietary Fiber: 6g
Potassium: 546mg
Sodium: 464mg
Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (150% daily value), Calcium and Vitamin C (30% dv), Iron (15% dv).
SERVES: 10
PREP TIME: 60 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 2 hours 45 min.
LEVEL: Moderate
MEETS THESE GUIDELINES:
Low Calorie
High Fiber
Low Sat Fat
Low Cholesterol
Low Sodium
High Potassium
High Calcium
Heart Healthy
Healthy Weight
MAKE AHEAD TIP:
Bake, let cool for 1 hour, cover with parchment paper then foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat, covered, at 350°F for 1 hour, then uncovered for 30 minutes more.
RECIPE TIPS:
To toast chopped nuts and seeds: Cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.
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Scaling Disclaimer: EatingWell recipes are tested extensively in the EatingWell Test Kitchen. Eating Well cannot guarantee a recipe that has been scaled to make a different number of servings from the original. Also note that scaling only applies to the ingredient measurements: no adjustment is made to the recipe instructions, so pan sizes and cooking times and ingredient amounts referred to in the text of the recipe only apply to the original number of servings.