Make it Tonight - Winter Lasagna

It's important to continue using local and seasonal ingredients throughout the winter. Although it can be a challange at times, it is completely possible to have yummy foods you enjoy and tweaking the recipe a little to include some seasonal items. This is my take on a homemade lasagna... Canadian winter style!

Ingredients:

1 butternut squash, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp olive oil

1 lbs cremini mushrooms, sliced

1 container ricotta cheese (look for low-fat, low-salt options)

1/2 ball mozzarella cheese

8 eggs

1 box pasta noodles, cooked & drained or 1 pack fresh noodles

1 medium onion, diced small

2 carrots, diced small

1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cans plum tomatoes, low-sodium
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp parsley
2 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
Freshly ground pepper & salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°. Place squash in a baking dish and toss in a little olive oil. Cook for 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile heat a little olive oil in a large pot on medium heat. Add onion & carrots. Cook 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, garlic, parsley, basil, oregano, pepper & a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer. Cook 25 to 30 minutes while you finish roasting your vegetables.

3. Make hard-boiled eggs: place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Let eggs boil 10 minutes. Drain and immediately rinse with cold water to cool down. Dice small.

4. Grate your mozzarella cheese & cook pasta if needed.

5. After squash has cooked for  20 minutes. Remove from oven and mix in mushrooms. Return to oven for five to 10 minutes more, until cooked through. Remove from oven and drain any liquid. Turn the oven DOWN to 350°.

6. Layer lasagne in a deep dish baking tray. First a little sauce, then a layer of pasta, then squash & mushrooms & half of the mozzarella cheese. Another layer of pasta, sauce, then spread out the ricotta cheese and top with diced egg. The last layer of pasta, the rest of the sauce & top with the second half of mozzarella cheese.

7. Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until cheese is golden and pasta is heated throughout. 

Enjoy!

Much love & good eating,

Stephanie