• Home
  • About
    • This IS My Real Job
    • 5 Things I’ve Learned…
  • Beautycounter
    • Become a Beautycounter Consultant: FAQs
  • Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • Travel
  • Amazon Lists
  • Instagram
  • Fitness
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Heather's Dish

Uncategorized

Butternut Squash & Leek Lasagna

Share
Pin
Tweet
0 Shares

Have you entered the $50 iHerb giveaway yet? Click here!

 

When it comes to lasagna I feel like I should be the master.  I’ve tried it so many ways, attempted making it in so many ways, and I love eating it.  But honestly?  Nothing compares to my mom’s old-fashioned lasagna that I can’t seem to recreate for the life of me.

That being said, this is a fabulous and healthy take on lasagna that, until I can finagle my mom’s recipe from her, will probably be a staple in our house from now on.  I like to think it was kismet, me and this lasagna.  Nate and I are eating healthier and healthier but are still wanting our favorite old-fashioned comfort foods.  I was randomly scrolling through AOL.com the other day and saw this recipe.

 

And the rest is history.

However, my husband only thinks a meal is a meal if there’s some sort of meat in it.  This means a little extra tweaking on my part by adding crumbled turkey sausage.  The things we do for love!

I felt like that might have decreased the “healthiness” of it though, so I made sure to chop some kale and saute it with the leeks in the beginning of the sauce process. Plus it gave me an excuse to add another Tbsp of butter.  Hey, sometimes there’s not enough fat for the flour and you gotta make choices.  Kale nutrients, extra butter.  Win-win.

 

The great thing about leeks is that they cover up the stinkiness of the kale, so all you get is fabulous leek flavor with good kale nutrients.  *Pats self on the back.*  I promise, y’all can thank me later.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH & LEEK LASAGNA

Original recipe from Eating Well, but below is the version I made

  • 10 ounces flat no-boil lasagna noodles
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 large leeks, pale green and white parts only, thinly sliced and washed thoroughly (about 6 cups)
  • 1 bunch fresh kale, stems removed and the leaves chopped finely
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups rice milk (it’s what we had on hand)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 2 2-pound butternut squash, peeled, halved, seeded and grated using the large-hole side of a box grater
  • 1 lb turkey sausage, browned and crumbled
  • 6 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated using the large-hole side of a box grater
  • 1/4 cup toasted walnuts

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.  Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed pot oven over medium heat. Add leeks and chopped kale and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 6 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the leeks and kale; stir well. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk in a slow stream, increase heat just a bit, and cook, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbling, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in thyme, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Remove from the heat.  Assemble by layering one-third of the noodles, one-third of the sauce, half the squash, half the sausage, one-third of the cheese, half the remaining noodles, half the remaining sauce, all the walnuts, all the remaining squash, all of the remaining sausage, half the remaining cheese, all the remaining noodles, all the remaining sauce and all the remaining cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes. Uncover and bake until bubbling and lightly browned, 30 to 45 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

It’s no Mom’s lasagna, but I have to say this was a FABULOUS and comforting meal and I can’t wait to eat the leftovers!

Share
Pin
Tweet
0 Shares


14 Comments

Subscribe for the latest.

« iHerb Rocks {Giveaway Time}!
Lent 2011 »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. sterlingstyle says

    March 9, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    This looks so good! Really thick and tasty!!

    Reply
  2. Katie @ Health for the Whole Self says

    March 9, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    This looks awesome!

    Reply
  3. Jessica @ How Sweet says

    March 9, 2011 at 11:50 am

    Oh my gosh I LOVE this! We hate lasagna because I don’t like tomato sauce and the Mr. hates ricotta. I made some chicken lasagna yesterday for the first time ever and it doesn’t even compare to this. This looks SO GOOD!!

    Reply
  4. Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman says

    March 9, 2011 at 11:28 am

    This looks so good! I hate leeks, so I’d leave them out. But the rest looks amazing!

    Reply
  5. Natalia - a side of simple says

    March 9, 2011 at 10:05 am

    Lasagna is one of my favorite meals that my mom makes. It’s right on the list next to chicken pot pie. Ultimate comfort, for sure!

    Reply
  6. Salah says

    March 9, 2011 at 8:46 am

    this looks awesome!!!

    Reply
  7. brandi says

    March 9, 2011 at 7:46 am

    I love butternut lasagnas, and this one looks great! Plus, I’ve never used leeks so this would be fun 🙂

    Reply
  8. Maria says

    March 9, 2011 at 7:18 am

    LOVE this lasagna recipe!

    Reply
  9. Heather C says

    March 9, 2011 at 7:04 am

    If you’re the master, I could use a lesson or two! I’ve only attempted Lasagna once or twice – shameful considering how much I LOVE the dish 🙂

    Reply
  10. kim @ girlevolving says

    March 9, 2011 at 6:52 am

    This sounds delicious! I bookmarked it! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Marina says

    March 9, 2011 at 6:42 am

    This lasagna sounds delicious! I love leeks, and adore b.squash. Gosh, I should really make this some time soon!

    Reply
  12. Estela @ Weekly Bite says

    March 9, 2011 at 6:41 am

    I’ve never had this type of lasagna before. Looks delicious 🙂

    Reply
  13. Lauren at Keep It Sweet says

    March 9, 2011 at 6:32 am

    I made lasagna this week but it wasn’t nearly as interesting as this one! I have never cooked with leeks for some reason but they would be a nice way to change up my usual veggie fillings.

    Reply
  14. Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says

    March 9, 2011 at 6:24 am

    LOVE all the healthy ingredients in here!! my hubby is not a squash fan but i’m gonna try it with sweet potatoes!

    Reply

Subscribe



Featured on BlogHer.com




Instagram

Just a couple quick reminders: ⭐️ healthy doe Just a couple quick reminders:

⭐️ healthy doesn’t have to be hard
⭐️ you’re allowed to “mess up”
⭐️ you’re allowed to be multidimensional
⭐️ don’t overcomplicate it 
⭐️ YOU ARE CAPABLE 

I have so many thoughts swirling around in my head these days, and half the time I don’t know which way is up. But I do know this: focusing on simplicity is the name of the game this year for me. It starts with the things I can control: my food intake, moving my body, my thoughts, my actions. The rest will stem from there!

Does anyone even do a word of the year anymore after 2020? If you do I’d love to see you share it below!
“I’m angry with God.” With those 4 words my “I’m angry with God.”

With those 4 words my Daddy forever changed the way I saw God. A pillar of fire didn’t come from the sky, the ground didn’t open up and swallow him whole, we didn’t get in a car wreck on the way home from piano lessons. And my Daddy never turned his heart from God; a short 20 minutes later we sat down at the dinner table and he praised him through prayer before we ate dinner. 

He taught me that when we are sad or frustrated or anxious or angry or feel that surely the weight of life will kill us - God is big enough to handle those feelings. Not just handle them, but walk closer than our breath through them. He cares, he’s there, and he even wants us to tell him. The more I think about it the more I see that my dad sharing his anger with God was the most honest display of faith I had seen up to that point.

The other day I uttered those same words in front of my boys, “I’m angry with God.” Just like me, they looked around to see where my smiting would come from, likely shocked (as I was) when it didn’t come. And just like me, they will see their parent praise God even in the midst of a firestorm of emotion. 

Why? Because God is good no matter what. My life feels like it’s crumbling before my eyes and I have no way of stopping it...but He is still on his throne. I will praise him no matter the circumstances because he has been good to me. I will write his word on my windows as a constant reminder that this life of mine is dedicated to his glory.
For someone who loves words so much, I really don' For someone who loves words so much, I really don't have many of them right now. 
.
On December 26, 2020 - after over a decade of fighting Corticobasal Degeneration, a rare progressive neurological disorder - my incredible, near-perfect Daddy left this world and has made his home with Jesus. Ever since then I've been struggling to find the words to pay homage to the most amazing man in the world. How do you sum up the life of someone who has impacted so many for good? How do I ever share how the little day-to-day expressions, smiles, words, wit, strength, grit, grace, humility, hard work and love have been woven into my very being? One of the last things I told him before he left was that there truly are no words yet for the kind of love he shared with me, my sister, and our beautiful mother. He was truly one-of-a-kind in every way, and we are so blessed because of the way he poured himself out for us. 
.
Daddy, I love you so much. The only thing that's softening the pain of your absence is knowing that those very last words I said to you - "I'll see you soon" - will come true because I know you'll be waiting for me in Heaven. My very own Daddy - you are always with me. I love you beyond words.
Just two gals who crushed a 50 minute run today! Just two gals who crushed a 50 minute run today! 

As we move into goal setting for the new year, may I suggest starting with your physical health? Not to fit the bikini body mold that society normalizes, but to actually BE as healthy as possible. When everything hit the fan for me this year I dug into two things that have been integral to creating positive growth and a healthier mindset: 

1️⃣ my relationship with God
2️⃣ my physical health

What that’s looked like for me on the health front: holding fast to my commitment to whole food nutrition, grace for the days when I choose otherwise, pushing myself to lift heavier in workouts, and taking up running again. 

What’s happened as a result? When I push myself physically, when I choose to practice discipline to do what I know is best for my body, it makes it infinitely easier to choose that same healthy discipline in every other area of life. You want to dominate your goals? Start with your health!
Remember when I blogged about food? 😂 Gosh the Remember when I blogged about  food? 😂 Gosh the past few months have been nuts. I’m still over here figuring out how to eat well without sacrificing my life in the kitchen, and this is a bowl I couldn’t NOT share with y’all. The best thing is that everything is almost always on hand in my fridge, it’s packed with nutrition, and tastes AMAZING!

In the bowl:
-rice mixed with Trader Joe’s Zhoug sauce
-broiled shredded Brussels sprouts
-chickpeas
-baby  arugula
-grilled chicken breast
-Romesco sauce (from Trader  Joe’s but I usually make my own)
-a little  tzaziki sauce

This meal has been on repeat all week, only changing the rice for riced cauliflower and omitting the chickpeas on low carb days. YUM! I find that if I have a variety of roasted veggies, grilled chicken, and a few different sauces on hand I can almost always come up with a great bowl for almost any meal!
It’s a beautiful day for Small Business Saturday It’s a beautiful day for Small Business Saturday y’all! Almost 4 years ago I took a leap of faith and said yes to this job in an effort to create another stream of revenue. I had NO CLUE that it would change my life for the better in almost every way, that it would reignite my passion for health and community, that it would provide in so many beautiful ways. But it has, and I am so thankful to all of you who have trusted me and supported me along the way. 

When you shop with a small business you are literally a hero in their eyes, validating and supporting and protecting them. You guys are my heroes, and I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️ 

#smallbusinesssaturday #happydance
Affirmations for YOU today. Even when you don’t Affirmations for YOU today. Even when you don’t feel it, these are truths that I’m holding for you. ❤️
3 things you can do RIGHT NOW to improve your day: 3 things you can do RIGHT NOW to improve your day:

1️⃣ SMILE! Even if you don’t feel like it, smiling (even forcing it to the point of feeling weird) has actually been scientifically proven to improve mood, lower stress, and boost your immune system. I actually recommend doing it awkwardly around other people because it’ll make them smile too 😉

2️⃣ GRATITUDE! Right now, before you talk yourself out of it, say or write 3 things you’re thankful for. Big, small, or in between. In this moment I’m going to say sticky notes, my Le Creuset Dutch Oven, and the Hamilton soundtrack. BOOM!

3️⃣MOVE! Get up off your tush, right now, and move your body. Walk around your house, do some jumping jacks, lock yourself in the bathroom and do a little dance, whatever. This isn’t about looking cool, it’s about giving yourself a better day. 

Things are hard, ambiguity and uncertainty isn’t fun, but we can control ONE THING: ourselves. Praying that you choose to gift yourself a little bit of happiness today! 

Now, tell me below, what’s one thing you’re thankful for RIGHT NOW?
HASHTAG MOOD. Y’all, I’m so jealous of my dog HASHTAG MOOD. Y’all, I’m so jealous of my dog 😂 Who else feels me here? 🙋🏼‍♀️ #dogdays #2020mood
Follow @HeathersDish
POPSUGAR Select PLUS

You might also like…

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Spicy Asian Marinated Steak

5 Things I’ve Learned…From Being Married

Chocolate Espresso Protein Smoothie from The Lemon Bowl

Must-Have Travel Items for the Low-Maintenance Mom gives the essentials for making travel easier on everyone! @heathersdish

Must-Have Travel Items for the Low-Maintenance Mom

Copyright © 2021 · Heather Disarro · All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2021 · Heather's Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in