Butternut Squash Lasagna Rolls

Another great Pinterest find, this one is modified from Beantown Baker.

Filling
10 c (1/2-inch) cubed butternut squash (about 4 lbs)
1/4 c shallots, chopped
2 T fresh sage, chopped
Cooking spray
1 T butter, melted
1/2 c plain Greek yogurt
1/4 c milk
salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce
3 slices applewood smoked bacon, chopped
1/2 lb shallots, peeled and halved
6 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 c dry white wine
1 14oz can vegetable broth
salt and pepper, to taste

Other
16 cooked lasagna noodles
3/4 c crumbled goat cheese
1/4 c chopped toasted hazelnuts

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
To prepare filling (this can be done a day in advance),
2. Combine first butternut squash, shallots and sage on a jelly roll pan coated with cooking spray.
3. Drizzle with butter; toss to coat.
4. Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
5. Place squash mixture in a large bowl; mash with a potato masher.
6. Stir in greek yogurt, milk, salt and pepper.
Prepare the sauce,
7. Cook bacon in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crisp.
8. Remove bacon from pan, reserving 2 teaspoons drippings in pan; set bacon aside.
9. Add shallots and garlic to drippings in pan; sauté 5 minutes or until browned.
10. Under medium-high heat, add wine, scraping pan to loosen browned bits, then add broth; bring to a boil.
11. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in salt and pepper.
Assemble the meal,
12. Spread 1/4 cup filling over each noodle, leaving a 1/2-inch border on each short end. Beginning with a short end, roll up noodles jelly-roll fashion.
13. Place rolls, seam sides down, in a 13 x 9-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Pour sauce over noodles; sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake at 400degrees F for 25 minutes or until cheese is golden.
14. Sprinkle with bacon and hazelnuts, serve hot.

I know it looks like a lot of steps, but reading through them ahead of time and multi-tasking will make it seem like much less.  I halved this recipe since my butternut squash wasn't large enough (probably because someone used a butternut squash in a previous recipe when it called for sweet potato instead- oops).  I omitted the sage, since I didn't have any; but I kept it in the recipe since I feel it would have been good with it.  I also removed a step regarding the sauce, because it was time consuming and not necessary for the dish.  And I can't say I stuck with just 3 slices of bacon (okay, I made and used the whole package).  My husband loves me more for it.  ;)

Also, this recipe can be made vegetarian but omitting the bacon.  The original calls for chicken broth too, but I used vegetable since I used much more bacon. 

Mom's Lasagna

This year I wanted to make something a little more non-traditional for Christmas dinner, so instead of a ham or turkey or roast, I made lasagna.  My mom makes the BEST lasagna, so I followed her recipe.  This can of course be modified for meat or vegetarian, I did half and half.


9 lasagna noodles, uncooked
1 15oz tub of ricotta cheese
16 oz mozzarella cheese, grated - 3 different uses
1/4 c parmesan
2 T chopped herbs, like parsley, basil, or cilantro (more if you like)
1 t (onion) salt
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 32oz jar spaghetti sauce
1 6oz can tomato sauce
1 lb. ground beef OR cut up, thin sliced vegetables, like eggplant or asparagus OR half and half

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix the ricotta, half the mozzarella, parmesan, herbs, salt and garlic in a large bowl.  Set aside.
3. Cover the bottom of a 9 x 13" baking pan with tomato sauce.
4. Lay 3 noodles on top, spread half the cheese mixture on top, lay meat or vegetables on top, then pour 1/3 of the spaghetti sauce over it.
5. Repeat step 4 for another layer.
6. Lay 3 noodles on top and push down a bit and pour the rest of the sauce over it and top with half of the remaining mozzarella cheese.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 35minutes.
8. Remove foil, sprinkle the remaining cheese over it, bake another 10minutes, then turn oven off and let lasagna sit for 10 minutes.  It thickens as it sits.  Right out of the oven it is VERY hot.