Simple Caramelized Butternut Squash and Kale Florentine Lasagna
Try this Simple Caramelized Butternut Squash and Kale Florentine Lasagna recipe.
Try this Simple Caramelized Butternut Squash and Kale Florentine Lasagna recipe.
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt + 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 1/2 cups warm milk (i use 2%)
- 1 pound no boil whole wheat lasagna noodles
- 4 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme (chopped)
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (grated plus more for serving)
- 8 cups cubed medium butternut squash (about 1 medium)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (plus a pinch more for the bã©chamel)
- 6 leaves fresh sage (chopped + more for topping)
- 1 large bunch kale (roughly chopped)
- 4 ounces blue cheese (crumbled (or use cream cheese or moz
- 8 ounces fontina cheese (shredded)
- toasted pumpkin seeds + salt (for topping)
- Carbohydrate 64.7723950115825 g
- Cholesterol 122.012500052324 mg
- Fat 52.9796300226342 g
- Fiber 0.114399995803833 g
- Protein 0.547495000221014 g
- Saturated Fat 30.226050012901 g
- Serving Size 1 1 recipe (943g)
- Sodium 334.80300014354 mg
- Sugar 64.6579950157787 g
- Trans Fat 3.44245500146023 g
- Calories 719 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish - if baking the lasagna right away.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Add the butternut squash and sprinkle with brown sugar and season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently to avoid burning for 10 to 15 minutes or until the squash begins to caramelize all over.
- Add the garlic, nutmeg sage and thyme, cook 5 or so minutes more.
- Now remove the skillet from the heat and add the kale, cover and let sit for 10 minutes. The heat from the pan will cook the kale down.
- Meanwhile, make the béchamel sauce. Melt the butter over medium heat and allow the butter to brown lightly. Once the butter begins to brown, add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute.
- Whisk in the warm milk in a steady stream. Add the a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg and simmer for 2 minutes, whisking.
- Remove from the heat, stir in the blue cheese (or mozzarella) and parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming.
- To assemble the lasagna, spoon a little béchamel onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add a layer of lasagna noodles.
- Sprinkle about 1/3 of the butternut + kale mixture over the noodles. Now add 1/3 of the fontina cheese and drizzle with a little béchamel.
- Repeat the layering process until you have three to four layers. Once you get to the very top, spread any remaining béchamel over the noodles.
- Sprinkle with the last of the fontina cheese. Feel free to add more cheese if desired!! Top the lasagna with sage leaves.
- Spray a piece of tin foil with cooking spray and cover the the lasagna. At this point the lasagna can be placed in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen.
- Bake, covered for 35-45 minutes and then uncovered for 15 minutes more.
- Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. If your lasagna was cold prior to baking, bake covered for 15-30 minutes longer.
My Unexpected Culinary Adventure: A Simple Lasagna Story
As a busy marketing executive, my life revolves around deadlines, presentations, and the occasional frantic dash to catch the subway. Time is a precious commodity, and squeezing in even a quick, healthy meal often feels impossible. My evenings usually involve grabbing something quick and convenient, often resorting to takeout or pre-packaged meals. So, when I found myself unexpectedly with a free evening, a craving for something warm, comforting, and surprisingly elegant, I decided to embark on a culinary experiment: homemade lasagna. Now, I’m not exactly a culinary whiz. My kitchen skills are more along the lines of "can open a can" than "master chef." Yet, the allure of a perfectly baked lasagna, bubbling with cheesy goodness, proved too strong to resist. I found a recipe online—this simple caramelized butternut squash and kale Florentine lasagna—and decided to give it a go.
The recipe itself was surprisingly straightforward, a welcome change from the complex, multi-step instructions I often encounter. The process of caramelizing the butternut squash was surprisingly meditative. The sweet aroma of the slowly browning squash filled my apartment, creating a warm and inviting ambiance. The act of chopping the kale, measuring the spices, and whisking the béchamel sauce felt almost therapeutic. It was a welcome break from the relentless pace of my workday, a chance to slow down and connect with a simpler, more satisfying rhythm. What started as a spontaneous culinary endeavor transformed into a quiet, personal journey of discovery. The final result? A lasagna that exceeded all expectations. The layers of perfectly cooked pasta, the sweet and savory butternut squash, and the creamy béchamel sauce were a symphony of flavors. It was a reminder that even amidst the chaos of everyday life, there is room for simple pleasures and satisfying, homemade meals.
Beyond the Recipe: A Reflection on Simple Joys
Making this lasagna wasn't just about following a recipe; it was about creating something from scratch, something nourishing for both body and soul. In our fast-paced world, we often prioritize efficiency and convenience, sometimes at the expense of genuine connection and simple pleasures. This experience reminded me that taking the time to cook, even a seemingly simple dish like lasagna, can be a profoundly rewarding act. It's a chance to disconnect from the digital world, to focus on the present moment, and to create something beautiful and delicious with our own two hands. The act of preparing food is a fundamental human experience, and the satisfaction of sharing a home-cooked meal with loved ones (or even enjoying it by oneself, as I did that evening) is priceless.
This recipe became more than just a meal; it was a reminder that the simplest things in life can often bring the greatest joy. The aroma of the baking lasagna, the satisfying process of assembling the layers, and the ultimate taste of the finished product were all small moments of happiness woven into the fabric of an otherwise ordinary evening. It's a lesson I hope to carry forward, finding time to embrace these small, simple joys in my increasingly busy life.
More than Just a Meal, It’s a Ritual
I’ve found that this lasagna recipe is incredibly versatile. I’ve experimented with different cheeses, adding spinach or mushrooms to the mix, and even swapping out the butternut squash for sweet potatoes. Each variation has brought its own unique flavor profile, making every lasagna experience a new adventure. What started as a one-time indulgence has transformed into a regular ritual, a quiet escape from the demands of work and a way to reconnect with myself and my creativity. It’s a reminder that amidst the chaos, there’s always time for a little self-care, a little culinary creativity, and a lot of delicious, homemade food. And, of course, a reminder that even a marketing executive can master a surprisingly delicious lasagna.
