
A wholesome and creamy vegetarian lasagne that swaps traditional pasta for roasted butternut squash sheets. Packed with fresh spinach, tangy sundried tomatoes, and a rich ricotta-quark filling, it's a perfect comfort meal for the whole family.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/gas 4) and lightly oil a 2-litre ovenproof dish. Prepare the butternut squash by cutting off the neck (the top two-thirds). Halve the round base, scoop out the seeds, and slice the flesh. Stand the flat end of the neck on a chopping board and carefully slice vertically into long strips, about 3-5mm thick, to serve as your lasagne sheets.
Arrange the squash slices on one or two large baking trays. Drizzle with 1 tbsp of olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Roast for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, place the sliced red onions in a smaller roasting tin, drizzle with 1/2 tbsp olive oil, season, and roast alongside the squash for another 10-12 minutes until everything is softened and caramelized.
Wilt the spinach by placing it in a microwave-safe bowl and heating on high for 2 minutes (stirring halfway), or by pouring boiling water over it in a colander. Once wilted, press down firmly to remove as much water as possible. Roughly chop the spinach and combine it in a large bowl with the chopped sundried tomatoes and roasted onions. Season to taste.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, quark, 75g of the grated parmesan, and the beaten eggs. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
To assemble, cover the bottom of the prepared baking dish with a layer of squash 'sheets'. Spread one-third of the ricotta mixture over the squash, then scatter half of the spinach mixture on top. Repeat the layers: squash, ricotta, and the remaining spinach. Finish with a final layer of squash and the remaining ricotta. Top with the rest of the parmesan and the grated cheddar or mozzarella.
Bake for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling. Allow the lasagne to rest for 10 minutes before serving. This dish can be frozen for up to two months; defrost overnight and reheat until piping hot.
To prevent the lasagne from becoming watery, ensure you squeeze the wilted spinach as dry as possible. For an extra flavor boost, add a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg to the ricotta mixture.
