If you often crave Italian dishes but shy away from pasta, butternut squash is for you!   Butternut squash is a nutrient dense food that also allows you to get creative in kitchen! Growing up in an Italian family, lasagna was a staple meal in my family.    Since processed pasta and cheese is no longer part of my lifestyle, I brainstormed an idea that is.  And here you have it!  This dish is very family friendly!  Because of the sweet flavors found in the sausage, butternut squash and tomato sauce, the kids will love it, too!!   I promise you’re going to want to lick the plate, so  dive in, savor the moment and enjoy every bite!

Ingredients:

– 1 lb sweet sausage (I buy good quality sausage. Figure if I’m going to make this, it’s going to be the best! If you fancy hot sausage you can use that too)
– 1 Red Onion
– 3 Garlic Cloves
– 12 oz Tomato Sauce (when I get aggressive I’ll make my own, otherwise I love Rao natural sauce – no added random ingredients or sugar.)
– 1 cup Roasted Red Peppers .
– Few leaves of fresh basil
– 1 Small Butternut Squash  

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 400.

Heat your skillet on medium heat.  I remove the sausage from the casing so it’s ground sausage but that’s a preference of mine. If you like the casing, then just cut your sausage into little pcs and add to your pan. While the sausage is cooking, dice your onion, garlic and cook together with the sausage until your sausage is brown and onions/garlic are cooked.

While the above is cooking, puree your tomato sauce, roasted red pepper and fresh basil if you have it.  Puree together to make your sauce.

Peel and slice the butternut squash lengthwise or into circles. I’ve done both ways, doesn’t really make a difference! I think cutting it into the circles is easier but do what works for you.

Coat your cooking pan with the sauce.  Layer the butternut squash to cover the bottom of the pan.  Pour the sausage mixture on top of the butternut squash and then pour the remaining sauce on top.

Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes.   Take a fork and poke the butternut squash, if it’s still hard then cook for an additional 10-15 mins.

Once cooked then let cool for about 15 mins and ENJOY!!!

Nutrition Facts: 1 Lasagna (serving: 1/4 of tray)