Butternut Squash Lasagna Recipe (SCD, Gluten Free, Grain Free) (2024)

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This noodle-less butternut squash lasagna recipe is a healthier take on traditional lasagna. The pasta is swapped out for hearty butternut squash pasta sheets that pair perfectly with the rich meat sauce. To keep the lactose low, farmer cheese is used in place of ricotta. Freshly shredded provolone and Havarti cheese provide the cheesy deliciousness that you expect from lasagna and this SCD, grain free, and gluten free meal is the ultimate comfort food!

Butternut Squash Lasagna Recipe (SCD, Gluten Free, Grain Free) (1)

Today I'm sharing with you the recipe that is my ultimate comfort food!

If I have a bad day, this is what I want. If I need to feed a crowd, this is what I make.

If I want something that freezes beautifully, this is the recipe.

Those of us that follow the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) can't have traditional pasta noodles (as it's made with grains and gluten), ricotta cheese or mozzarella cheese (too much lactose).

So this easy butternut squash lasagna recipe is a different take on traditional lasagna!

Homemade meat sauce!

The homemade meat sauce is a hearty combination of ground beef, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and herbs.

I've made the sauce numerous times from fresh tomatoes but that was before having kids!

Butternut Squash Lasagna Recipe (SCD, Gluten Free, Grain Free) (2)

Now I use the POMI brand of strained tomatoes and crushed tomatoes when making my sauce.

It just speeds the process up a bit and the only ingredient in them is tomatoes. No thickeners, sugar, preservatives, etc.

In order to get the most flavorful sauce, let it simmer for at least an hour. It's totally worth it and your house will smell AMAZING!

Note: If following the SCD diet, I suggest reaching out to companies before using any packaged product in order to verify ingredients.

Butternut squash pasta sheets!

In the past I've used eggplant in place of the lasagna sheets but I have to be honest...I don't really like it! For me, it's a bit too "slimy" in texture.

I find that using butternut squash " pasta sheets" is much closer to the texture of traditional pasta noodles!

Butternut Squash Lasagna Recipe (SCD, Gluten Free, Grain Free) (3)

Tips:

  • Use a butternut squash with a longer "neck", since that's the only part of the squash being used in this recipe.
  • Evenly slice the squash into long, thin sheets using either a knife or mandolin. Make sure the sheets are the same thickness for even cooking.

Low lactose cheese!

The replacement for ricotta cheese is farmer cheese.

It has a VERY similar texture to ricotta but has almost no lactose, which means a happy tummy!

Instead of mozzarella cheese, a combination of havarti and provolone provide a delicious creamy/salty bite.

Butternut Squash Lasagna Recipe (SCD, Gluten Free, Grain Free) (4)

How to assemble lasagna

Begin by spreading a thin layer of meat sauce along the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.

Layer the butternut squash sheets over the sauce making sure that that they overlap just a tad. If needed, cut the sheets to fit in the baking dish.

Spread the butternut squash pasta sheets with the farmers cheese and then top with some meat sauce before sprinkling with the havarti and provolone cheese.

Repeat the process until you have three complete layers.

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake until the butternut squash pasta sheets have softened and the cheese has melted.

Hope you enjoy this butternut squash lasagna recipe!

Butternut Squash Lasagna Recipe (SCD, Gluten Free, Grain Free) (5)

In the mood for more Italian? Try these!

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below!This is the best way you can help support me and my blog!

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NOTE: If following the SCD diet, I suggest contacting the company to verify ingredients before using any prepackaged products.

This post was originally published April 24, 2018. The text and nutrition information was updated in September 2020.

Recipe

Butternut Squash Lasagna Recipe

by: Jennifer Brown

This butternut squash lasagna recipe is a healthier take on traditional lasagna. The pasta is swapped out for hearty butternut squash sheets that pair perfectly with the rich meat sauce. To keep the lactose low, farmer cheese is used in place of ricotta. Freshly shredded provolone and Havarti cheese provide the cheesy deliciousness that you expect from lasagna. This SCD, gluten free, and grain free meal is the ultimate comfort food!

5 from 7 votes

Prep Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Resting Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 8 people

Calories 468 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
  • 16 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup strained tomatoes
  • ¼ cup freshly chopped basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 4 pounds butternut squash (about 2 butternut squash with long "necks")
  • 8 ounces farmer cheese (I use the friendship dairies brand)
  • 8 ounces havarti cheese, grated
  • 8 ounces provolone cheese, grated

Instructions

  • Melt the olive oil in a large pot or skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef, breaking it into small chunks as it cooks.

  • Stir in the onion and garlic. Add the basil, oregano, thyme, and salt. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and strained tomatoes. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Drop the heat to low and allow to simmer for at least an hour, stirring occasionally.

  • Peel the "neck" of the butternut squash. Cut the "bulb" off the squash and set aside. Use a mandolin or sharp knife to slice the "neck" of the butternut squash into ⅛" slices. You will need about 25 evenly sliced "sheets".

  • Preheat the oven to 375F. Spread ½ cup of meat sauce on the bottom of a deep 9x13 pan. Layer the squash on the bottom of the pan, allowing it to overlap just a bit. Spread the farmers cheese on the squash and top with about 1 cup of the meat mixture. Sprinkle the Havarti and provolone cheese on top.

  • Repeat layering two more times until you have three complete layers. Loosely cover the top of the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the center rack for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes until the squash sheets have softened.

  • Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional).

Notes

  • If the butternut squash sheets are thicker than ⅛", cook time will be longer. Before pulling the lasagna out of the oven I suggest inserting a knife into the dish to check the squash has cooked through.
  • The butternut squash lasagna can be assembled then wrapped tightly with aluminum foil and frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, remove the lasagna from the freezer and place in the fridge for 24 hours. Follow the cooking instructions above. The lasagna may need to cook longer than the recommended time!
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

*The nutritional information calculated in this recipe is an estimate*

The photos and content above are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos. Please do not copy this recipe and share it on your own website or social media channels. If you wish to tell people about this recipe, you can provide a link back to my blog rather than copying the recipe. Thank you! XO, Jen

Nutrition

Serving: 0g | Calories: 468kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 998mg | Potassium: 1383mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 24911IU | Vitamin C: 58mg | Calcium: 536mg | Iron: 5mg

Did you make this recipe?Let me know how it was by leaving a comment and star rating below!

Butternut Squash Lasagna Recipe (SCD, Gluten Free, Grain Free) (2024)

FAQs

How to cut butternut squash for lasagna? ›

Stack and slice, then make crosswise cuts into cubes: If you are cubing the squash, lay the slices down (you can stack a few at a time) and make another set of lengthwise cuts. Then make crosswise cuts to make cubes. One 1 1/2 pound butternut squash will yield approximately 4 cups of 1/2-inch cubed squash.

What are gluten free lasagna noodles made from? ›

Made with a delicious blend of corn and rice, Gluten Free lasagne contains no GMO ingredients and is certified gluten free. Our Gluten Free pasta is safe for individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. No boiling is needed for Barilla® Gluten Free Oven-Ready Lasagne.

How much nutrition is in butternut squash lasagna? ›

1 package of butternut squash lasagna (Lean Cuisine) contains 340 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 64% carbs, 16% fat, and 20% protein. This is a good source of protein (30% of your Daily Value), potassium (11% of your Daily Value), and calcium (30% of your Daily Value).

What is the best tool to cut butternut squash? ›

This means grabbing the best chef's knife you own and making sure it's recently sharpened. A flimsy or dull knife will make your life much harder and can also be dangerous since it can easily slip and cut you. Your other important tool is a peeler, which should also be as sharp as possible.

Is there a trick to cooking gluten-free pasta? ›

Once you've added the pasta to the pot of boiling water, stir every 30 seconds for the first five minutes of cooking to move the olive oil around and keep the pasta loose. Gluten-free pasta requires more stirring in the initial cooking stage than regular pasta so that it doesn't (surprise!) stick together.

Can celiacs eat gluten-free pasta? ›

If you have coeliac disease, do not eat the following foods, unless they're labelled as gluten-free versions: bread. pasta.

What's the difference between gluten and gluten-free pasta? ›

In fact, in blind taste tests most people we've cooked for tend to prefer the gluten-free noodles. Overall, the only differences reported are that gluten free varieties are slightly grainier and have a more hearty, nutty flavor that pairs deliciously with any sauce.

Is butternut squash a good or bad carb? ›

Butternut squash is a low-calorie food and is packed with nutrients. While it's higher in carbs than some other veggies, its low glycemic index (a ranking of how carbs affect blood sugar) still makes it a healthy choice for most people.

Is it healthy to eat butternut squash everyday? ›

Consuming plant foods, such as butternut squash, decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and overall mortality. It can also enhance the complexion, increase energy, and contribute to a healthy weight.

Is butternut squash healthy for losing weight? ›

One cup of cooked butternut squash has only 83 calories and provides 7 grams of filling fiber — making it an excellent choice to lose excess weight and body fat. It contains both insoluble and soluble fiber. Soluble fiber has been associated with fat loss and decreased appetite.

How do you pinch out butternut squash? ›

The absolute key to a good harvest is to pinch out the growing tips of all the plant shoots in mid-August and to keep doing so. This stops plants putting on triffid-like, leafy growth and forces them to focus energy on the developing fruits.

Can you eat butternut squash raw? ›

Skip eating most hard-skinned squash raw. "Hard skinned squash is difficult to eat raw," Marz says. "They are usually much larger in size, have a harder flesh, and are much more fibrous." Examples of hard-skinned squash that should not be eaten raw include: pumpkins, delicate, butternut, Hubbard, and acorn.

How do you peel butternut squash green lines? ›

You will notice light green lines emerging beneath the skin as you peel. You want to make sure to peel all of those green lines away from the squash—they can be tough and fibrous. The squash isn't completely peeled till all of those green lines have disappeared and the orange flesh remains.

References

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