New Deconstructed Butternut Squash Lasagna

Low-Carb Deconstructed Butternut Squash Lasagna

Who doesn't love a delicious butternut squash recipe? Is there anything more comforting? Well, maybe lasagna…

Today, we combine two of our favorite comfort foods—butternut squash and lasagna—in one easy-to-make, low-carb meal that’s sure to delight! If you ’re ready for all the flavors of a vegetarian delicacy with very little effort or guilt, this is the dinner for you! The next time you're hankering for comfort food, this one will hit the spot.

Butternut Squash Lasagna: A Modern Twist on a Classic

Most of us are familiar with traditional lasagna. Layers of pasta are typically paired with ooey-gooey cheese, tangy tomato sauce, and hearty ground beef or sausage. It’s a true Italian classic.

Butternut squash lasagna is a modern twist on the Italian staple. Because it’s a contemporary version, many home cooks and chefs have their own way of making it. And why not? It’s a fun alternative vegetarian version of a beloved comfort food. While it's hearty enough for a cold-weather dish, this recipe is a huge hit any time of year.

Lasagna is one of the oldest pasta dishes. Variations on lasagna go back throughout Italian history—all the way to at least the Middle Ages. In fact, the oldest versions of lasagna didn’t even include tomatoes (although they’re now a staple in Italian food, they weren’t introduced to the country until the 15th century).

So why butternut squash? Butternut squash is a dieter's dream food. It has a delicate sweetness, is easy to work with, and tastes far richer than its calories and stats reflect. Squash is hearty and filling, making it a great replacement for meat for a dish that's even better than the real thing.

Butternut squash originated in North America and has long been a part of indigenous diets. Squash's popularity is largely due to its versatility and nutritional value. It's savory enough to use in a delicious dinner but sweet enough that it's not out of place in a dessert. It's a natural choice for vegetarian and health-conscious cooks looking for an easy swap with some of the more traditional lasagna components.

Butternut squash lasagna often features slices of squash that replace the pasta or pureed squash as part of the filling. While this is a nice idea, it’s time-consuming to make (as is any lasagna). What’s more, traditional lasagna noodles aren’t low-carb. So, while layered lasagna is fine for a special occasion, it’s not likely to make it into your weeknight rotation if you’re on keto or another low-carb meal plan.

Make Butternut Squash Lasagna Simple with It’s Skinny

The secret to fast, easy, low-carb lasagna is to try it the “lazy” way (er…rather, the effortless way) with It’s Skinny. We’ve come up with a few popular deconstructed lasagna recipes, and this vegetarian version is one of the best (and so much easier and lower-carb than using regular lasagna noodles).

Packed with spinach, butternut squash, vegetables, and plenty of cheese, we keep it low-carb and keto-friendly with It’s Skinny Fettuccine. It’s Skinny Noodles have ZERO net carbs and only 9 calories per pack. The noodles are gluten-free, vegan, and so easy to work with. They’re perfect for any lifestyle.

How did we get the skinny into these noodles? With an unconventional vegetable called konjac. Think of it as a fibrous cross between a radish and a turnip. Although it may not be the most beautiful vegetable in the garden, it’s a workhorse—making perfect pasta that’s a dead ringer for the traditional stuff.

You get a substantial noodle that doesn’t require boiling water or long cooking times. There’s no waiting on the al dente texture. To use It’s Skinny, you simply open the pack, drain, rinse, and set the noodles aside. Toss them in the pan when your other ingredients are almost done. Heat for 2-3 minutes, and they’re ready to enjoy.

It’s Skinny shirataki noodles take on the flavor of surrounding ingredients. Unlike some other noodle swaps on the market, there’s no strange texture or vegetable-heavy aftertaste (sorry, zoodles). You get simple, delicious, guilt-free pasta that’s perfect any day of the week.

Choose from our other popular varieties:

• Spaghetti
• Angel Hair
• Rice Shape
• Fettuccine

We strongly suggest you go for the variety pack to try each kind of It's Skinny Pasta in your favorite recipes. The rice shape is perfect for rice bowls, risotto, and even rice pudding. Angel Hair is light and delicate for restaurant-worthy meals, and Spaghetti is ideal for nearly anything!

For this recipe, we use Fettuccine, our widest It's Skinny noodle, because it helps get that lasagna "vibe" without having to boil, layer, and bake your way through an afternoon making the traditional version (and then only enjoying a small sliver so you don't wreck your diet). With deconstructed lasagna, you can dig in with abandon!

If you’re ready for comfort food done your way, check out It’s Skinny today. It’s the pasta alternative that will blow your mind and change your carbohydrate recipe game.

Variations and Tips on Butternut Squash Lasagna

Lazy butternut squash lasagna is already a variation on a classic, but we know how it goes—sometimes you need to swap an ingredient out or add something to make it your own. Feel free to experiment! Cooking should always be an adventure! Here are a few tips and ideas to get started.

Can I use different types of cheese in this dish?

We love a lot of cheese. Ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan are a classic lasagna cheese combination, but you could certainly swap out cheeses as needed. Cottage cheese, goat cheese, and mascarpone are all great swaps for ricotta. You can also use silken tofu or sour cream as a ricotta swap.

As for melty mozzarella, provolone is the most passable swap. Gouda, cheddar cheese, and edam will have slightly different textures and tastes, but they also work with similar melty results. Finally, if you need to change the parmesan, you could use Grana Padano, Asiago, or Pecorino Romano for a similarly nutty, gratable hard cheese.

Are there other veggies that go well in this dish?

We’re all for increasing your vegetable intake! This butternut squash lasagna has spinach, onions, and crushed tomatoes, but it would also be delicious with additional veggies. Try zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, red bell pepper, or green bell pepper. Mushrooms are always welcome. You can use marinara sauce if you prefer.

If you want to change up the herbs, Italian seasoning like oregano and flat-leaf Italian parsley are great options in this dish. Rosemary and thyme, as well as fresh sage, partner well with butternut squash. You could also add some pinenuts.

Can I add protein to this lazy lasagna?

Are you craving a more classically meaty lasagna? No problem! Lean ground turkey goes very well with this dish (and partners perfectly with squash). You could also bring out the savory flavor with salty prosciutto or even thin-sliced bits of ham.

Ground pork and sausage are lovely in this deconstructed lasagna and perfect for a meat sauce. Lean ground beef is also a crowd pleaser. You could also partner this meal with a chicken breast or an Italian-seasoned steak. You’ll be amazed at how versatile this pasta dish is. Of course, it’s highly satisfying even as a vegetarian main course.

Low-Carb Deconstructed Butternut Squash Lasagna

Ready for a fast dinner that's perfect comfort food? Low-carb deconstructed lasagna tastes like it took all day to make, but it’s a fast recipe, even on a busy weeknight. With It’s Skinny Fettuccine, you keep the carb count down without sacrificing pasta. If you want a gooey, cheesy, satisfying meal that only tastes naughty, this is the one for you!