A Fall Favorite! I love Fall and everything that goes along with it! Orange, pumpkins, crisp temperatures, the smell of the leaves falling, the colors, crunchy mornings, coffee, everything! Butternut squash is one of those things! This is a great alternative to the old pasta recipe! If you are vegetarian, this recipe can definitely be done without the meat! The squash and ricotta mixture will still make it really hearty! For those who need to, you can also remove the egg from the ricotta mixture! I am excited already!!!
1 Butternut squash - peeled and cut into 1 inch planks
1 package of frozen chopped spinach - WELL drained - you can add more!
8 oz. ricotta cheese
1 egg
nutmeg
2 cloves garlic - smashed
1/2 sweet onion - chopped
olive oil
1 meat sauce recipe (16 oz. jar of marina or vegetable pasta sauce can be subbed)
shredded mozzarella cheese
In a small microwave safe bowl, combine onion, garlic and about 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Microwave for 1 min. Combine ricotta, onion mixture, spinach, egg, 2 shakes of nutmeg and stir together.
Preheat over to 425F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish. Pour 1/2 of the meat sauce into the dish and spread it out evenly. Top it carefully with the butternut squash making a full layer. Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the squash. Top with remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover with foil. Bake covered for 1 hour. With a knife, stab into the casserole to check to make sure the squash is softened. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes. It will be super HOT, allow it to cool for about 10 minutes before trying to serve! Oh la Fall!!!!!
*I made mine ahead, so I took it out of the fridge and let it come towards room temp for 45 minutes before baking! ALWAYS line the oven or put a large sheet pan under this, it never fails in running over!
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| Peel squash and slice in to planks. |
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This is how I do it, to hopefully make the most of the squash!
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| 1/2 onion diced, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon olive oil, microwave 1 min. |
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| Add ricotta, onion mixture, spinach, egg, nutmeg. |
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| Combine well. |
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| Spread bottom of a 9x13 greased baking dish with 1/2 of the meat sauce. |
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| Spread a layer of squash planks to cover. |
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| Spread the ricotta mixture over to cover. Top with remaining meat sauce and sprinkle about 1/2 cup shredded cheese on top, then bake covered! |
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| Bubble, bubble, toil, and trouble! Happy Fall! |
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