Oven-Baked Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A cozy lasagna layered with roasted butternut squash, fresh spinach, and a béchamel sauce, perfect for a comforting vegetarian dinner. This italian-inspired comfort food (vegetarian) ready in about 70 minutes pairs peeled and cubed butternut squash, packed fresh spinach, sheets, no-boil lasagna noodles for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 50 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 360 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 2 cups of peeled and cubed butternut squash with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes until tender and caramelized, stirring halfway through.
  2. Step 2: While squash roasts, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes until bubbling but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 3 cups whole milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil and sauté 2 cloves minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add 4 cups packed fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
  5. Step 5: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce. Layer 3 no-boil lasagna noodles over the sauce, then spread half of the roasted butternut squash, half the sautéed spinach, dollops of 1 cup ricotta cheese, and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella. Repeat layers ending with noodles topped by remaining béchamel and 1 cup shredded mozzarella.
  6. Step 6: Cover loosely with foil and bake at 375°F for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Oven-Baked Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Oven-Baked Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep packed fresh spinach from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Baked Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Oven-Baked Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Oven-Baked Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.