Pumpkin Lasagna
This hearty and flavorful lasagna features a saucy secret. It’s good for you pumpkin! It’s a great way to utilize that extra pumpkin that may be sitting in the back of the refrigerator and plus get all the great benefits from this simple super food item. You’ll be surprised how heavenly the flavors mesh together. This dish has a combination of spiked garlic and herb marinara sauce, the spicy Italian sausages, creaminess of the cheeses and pumpkin. Super simple to whip up in no time with the no boil lasagna noodles and just simply delicious.
INGREDIENTS:
1-2 cups organic pumpkin puree, or homemade
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, sliced
1 pound spicy Italian sausages, casings removed
1/2 cup red wine
16 ounce organic crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup fresh basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried parsley
black pepper, to taste
sea salt, to taste
2 boxes of no boil lasagna noodles
1 large egg
2 cups ricotta
2 cups mozzarella
1/2 cup Parmesan
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pumpkin in a fine sieve over a bowl. Set aside to drain, while making the sauce.
In a medium pot, over medium heat place olive oil in the pan. Add the onion and sautee until translucent, about 6-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the sausage and cook until browned, break up with a wooden spoon. Then pour in the wine, cook until reduced by half. Stir in the tomato sauce and herbs; bring to a simmer over med-low heat. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and reduce heat to low for 15 minutes. Stirring occasionally.
Mix strained pumpkin with the egg in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan. Set aside.
Start building your lasagna in a 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Start a layer of sauce, top with the noodles. Distribute the pumpkin evenly over noodles, then a layer of the cheese mixture and cover with the sauce. Repeat layers, finishing with the noodles and sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan and/or mozzarella. Bake for 30 minutes, or until bubbly. Let cool before slicing. Enjoy!
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: Calories 270; Saturated Fat 7; Cholesterol 65mg; Sodium 470mg; Total Carbohydrates 8g; Dietary Fiber 2g; Sugars 3.5g; Protein 16.4g; vitamin A 7%, calcium 22%, vitamin C 9% and iron 9%. This dish is very high in vitamin A and B6.