Roasted Pumpkin Lasagna

Name: Roasted Pumpkin Lasagna
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 1 medium pie pumpkin (about 3 pounds); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon salt, divided; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 12 uncooked lasagna noodles; 1/2 cup butter, cubed; 1 cup chopped onion; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 4-1/2 cups 2% milk; 1/4 cup chopped fresh sage; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; Crushed red pepper flakes, optional

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 1 hour Bake: 1 hour + standing YIELD: 12 servings.

This is a hearty meatless meal that my family enjoys. If you're not a fan of pumpkin, you can use butternut squash instead. —Wendy Masters, East Garafraxa, Ontario

Ingredients

1 medium pie pumpkin (about 3 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 uncooked lasagna noodles
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1 cup chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4-1/2 cups 2% milk
1/4 cup chopped fresh sage
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Peel pumpkin; cut in half lengthwise. (Discard seeds or save for toasting.) Cut into 1/4-in.-thick slices. Place in a single layer on 2 greased 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Drizzle with oil; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and nutmeg. Roast until tender, 30-35 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°.
2. Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions for al dente. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 6-7 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in flour and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt until smooth; gradually whisk in milk and sage. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in Parmesan cheese. Drain noodles.
3. Place 3 noodles in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with one-third of pumpkin, 1-1/3 cups sauce and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining noodles, sauce and mozzarella cheese.
4. Bake, covered, 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden brown and bubbly, 30-35 minutes longer. Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving. If desired, sprinkle with red pepper flakes.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 350 calories, 17g fat (9g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 481mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein.