Roasted Pumpkin and Sausage Lasagna –

I have been on a mission to eat healthier since the beginning of the year. I have been eating low carb, high protein and have been sticking to a Mediterranean diet that isn’t too strict. In the past month, I have been eating a lot of chicken and fish as well as lots of veggies. Today, I made a very tasty Roasted Pumpkin and Sausage Lasagna. I have been eating a lot of lasagna lately and this was a nice, new way to eat it.

Roasted pumpkin juice will be out of season soon, so I’ve made my own, using fresh pumpkin and homemade roasted garlic and onion. Roasting the pumpkin and garlic and onion adds a lot of flavor, and there’s no need to add salt, since they’ve been brined in salt water. The recipe is nice, but I’ve added a little bit of spice to it. I’ve made a roasted veggie sausage to go with it, which makes it even more desirable.

Lasagna is a classic dish. It’s probably one of the best known dishes in the world. It’s simple, filling, and made with ingredients that are pretty easy to find. The only problem with lasagna is that it is super time consuming to make. Well, I’m here to tell you that this lasagna is easy to make, no time consuming, and super delicious.. Read more about roasted butternut squash pasta and let us know what you think.

Pumpkin Sausage Lasagna

Lasagna with roasted pumpkin and sausage

“Here,” I thought to myself, imagining the difficulty. A pumpkin weighing twenty pounds. Come up with something spectacular.”

We got together with our pals for cocktails on Friday night, as luck would have it. The woman is Italian and, by birth, a fantastic chef!

I inquired as to how she prepared fresh pumpkin. She reeled off a variety of ways I might utilize the pumpkin without hesitation, even suggesting that I chop it into cubes and freeze it for later.

Pumpkin from Armando

Armando has a pumpkin.

After cutting the pumpkin. It was so such a vibrant orange!

After the pumpkin has been sliced. It was a brilliant orange!

The next day, we went to a festival with these friends in a nearby town. (You may learn more about it here.)

Risotto with pumpkin and cheese was one of the meals I had during the festival.

I was so taken aback by the taste and texture of the fresh pumpkin that I came home motivated to do something similar.

It’s easy to make this lasagna with roasted pumpkin and sausage.

I believe you’ll like the taste and creamy texture that the roasted pumpkin brings to the dish.

Lasagna with roasted pumpkin and sausage

Roasted Pumpkin and Sausage Lasagna

This lasagna has a creamy, buttery texture and a lovely color thanks to the roasted pumpkin. This meal is brought to life by the spicy Italian sausage. It’s ideal for the autumn season. If there are any leftovers, they freeze nicely as well!

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. pumpkin, fresh (chopped into 1 inch squares — maybe a little smaller)
  • 2 tblsp rosemary (fresh) (chopped)
  • Spray for cooking
  • 1 Italian Sausage package (about 19 oz) (I prefer spicy – casings removed)
  • 1 tomato can (14.5 oz.) crushed (Use petite diced tomatoes, if you prefer chunkier sauce)
  • Tomato sauce (about 3–4 cups)
  • 1 container (large) Ricotta
  • 3 Eggs
  • Mozzarella cheese, 1 pound (shredded)
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (shredded)
  • Sheets: 9-12 Noodles for lasagna (I recommend using noodles that can cook in the oven instead of having to be cooked beforehand.)

Note

If you’ve never tried making your own pasta at home, I can assure you that it’s very simple — particularly if you have a food processor with a pasta attachment.

Making fresh pasta for lasagna allows me to make the lasagna noodles extra, extra thin, which I like. It can make a big difference in the final meal (even if store-bought spaghetti works just fine!).

I used my kitchen scale to weigh 400 grams of all-purpose flour (no special flour required! ), four eggs, and a sprinkle of salt for this recipe. In a food processor, combine all of the ingredients. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for a few minutes. Using your pasta machine, follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Directions

Roasting a Pumpkin
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Using cooking spray, coat a large cookie sheet. Place your cubed pumpkin on a flat surface. Add a sprig of fresh rosemary, chopped. Spritz everything again with cooking spray and bake until tender (approx. 25 minutes).
Step 2
Remove the dish from the oven. After the pumpkin has cooled somewhat, mash it with a potato “masher” to remove the majority of the lumps.
How to Make the Sauce
Step 3
Cook sausage (casings removed) in a medium pan over medium high heat until browned. Return to skillet after draining fat. Toss in the mashed pumpkin. Combine the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce in a mixing bowl.
Step 4
Season with salt and/or pepper to taste. Cook for around 15 minutes.
To Put the Lasagna Together
Step 5
Combine ricotta and eggs in a medium mixing basin. To mix, stir everything together.
Step 6
Add approximately 1 cup sauce to the bottom of an 8 x 12 (or similar) casserole dish. On top of the pasta sheets, layer additional sauce, ricotta mixture, parmesan, and mozzarella. Layer until you’ve used up all of the ingredients (the parmesan and mozzarella should be the last things you put on top). I was able to fit three layers in, but one of these days I’m going to go for a larger pan and try for six!
Step 7
Preheat oven to 350°F and bake until fully hot and bubbling. (It takes around 45 minutes.)
Step 8
Allow it cool slightly before serving with a piece of thick Italian bread!

As a food blogger I have a hard time finding new and exciting ways to present a delicious recipe. So when I was asked to review a new product from a company called Yummy.com.au I was very excited. I have been sent a new product called the Yummy Box, a monthly food subscription box that is packed with tasty goodies from all over the world.. Read more about orecchiette with butternut squash and sage and let us know what you think.

Una is a food website blogger motivated by her love of cooking and her passion for exploring the connection between food and culture. With an enthusiasm for creating recipes that are simple, seasonal, and international, she has been able to connect with people around the world through her website. Una's recipes are inspired by her travels across Mexico, Portugal, India, Thailand, Australia and China. In each of these countries she has experienced local dishes while learning about the culture as well as gaining insight into how food can be used as a bridge between different cultures. Her recipes are often creative combinations of traditional ingredients from various different cuisines blended together to create something new.