Lasagna from scratch was the first dish I made Lucas. He says it's when he fell in love with me, but that was like our third date, so probably an exaggeration. On the other hand, it might also be the reason I have a husband, so I keep making it. This butternut squash & turkey lasagna with homemade chestnut pasta is equally alluring, so if you're in the market for love, it comes highly recommended.
Back in the days of that love luring lasagna, I didn't even have a pasta roller; I planned to just get at it with a rolling pin and some elbow grease. Those pearls of sweat mixed into the dough? THAT'S love, honey. Fortunately our landlady brought down her unused German hand-crank pasta roller that I clamped down to the coffee table in my itty-bitty in-law cottage to make the whole affair much more reasonable. I made that same lasagna bolognese many times early in our relationship. (So really, maybe she's the reason I have a husband who loves me...).
Shortly after I went gluten-free, my friend Angi started coming over for a weekly dinner. She's heard stories of my epic lasagna and lamented for years that we became friends too late. She still reminds me that she's never had my homemade pasta (except for that one time early in my gluten-free days when we tried - horribly unsuccessfully - to make quinoa pasta.). Angi, come over, this one's for you. Love me again?
This new recipe uses that same salty nutmeg béchamel from my early lasagna, but mixes things up with gluten-free sweet chestnut flour pasta sheets and layers that highlight California's organic ingredients. First up is a layer of caramelized shallots and fresh sage seared up with organic ground turkey. When cooked up with aromatics, ground turkey soaks up their flavors for a lean protein that's delicious, juicy, free-range, and grown locally with no hormones, steroids, or antibiotics (whew!). We top that with a bed of roasted butternut squash then douse the whole thing in béchamel and fresh parm (bc: CHEEEEEESE).
The sweet nutty chestnut flour pasta complements the butternut squash, while turkey adds a savory note that balances it out. This butternut squash lasagna is sweet, creamy, seasonal, and boasts freshness. If you don't want to make homemade pasta, feel free to sub in your go-to lasagna noodles! You could even try making the béchamel with chestnut flour if you don't want to lose that flavor. Either way, ready yourself to find love.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2½ lbs butternut squash, halved and seeds removed
- 1 lb fresh homemade chestnut pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic, about 3 cloves
- 1 cup minced shallots, about 2 large
- 1 lb organic ground turkey
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 4½ ounces freshly grated parmesan cheese, 2-3 cups
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup sweet rice flour
- 4 cups milk
- 2½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Prepare the fresh pasta sheets or, if using store-bought, prepare the lasagna sheets according to the directions on the package, if needed.
- Place squash on parchment or silpat mat-lined baking sheet, cut side down, and roast for 30 minutes, or until soft. Scoop squash flesh into a bowl and mash it with a fork.
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add garlic and shallots and cook, stirring, until soft and beginning to brown.
- Add organic ground turkey, fresh sage, and ¼ teaspoon each salt & pepper (or more depending on your taste!). Cook, stirring, until the meat browns and cooks completely through. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
- Meanwhile, prepare the béchamel. Melt butter in same large skillet over medium heat. Add sweet rice flour and whisk until smooth. Continue cooking, whisking, until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat milk in saucepan until just about to boil. Add milk to butter and flour mixture in three parts, whisking continuously until very smooth.
- Bring to a boil. Continue cooking until the béchamel thickens, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in salt and nutmeg.
- In a 9×13 casserole dish or baking pan, spread a very thin layer of béchamel along the bottom of the pan. Layer 3-4 layers of pasta, ground turkey, butternut squash, béchamel, and grated parmesan, ending with a final layer of pasta, béchamel, and grated parmesan.
- Bake for 30-45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Nicole ~ cooking for keeps -
Ahhhh so beautiful!
Brian @ A Thought For Food -
I definitely need to try that chestnut pasta. Love the color of it and i know the flavors are just wonderful. What a great idea to pair it with sweet butternut squash and sage!
Taylor Kiser -
This is a must try! Love all the flavors in this dish!
Lynn | The Road to Honey -
Ha! Ha! I sure hope you saved a giant slice of this gorgeous lasagne for the land lady. But only one question remains. . .is this the dish you two love birds enjoy on your anniversary?
traci | VanillaAndBean -
I love stories of food and love... and when you won your hubs heart.. and so, I know he loves this lasagna, Sarah! It's gorgeous. Your pasta too?? How much more homemade can you get? Pure love! I've not made my own pasta, but I'd like to.. It looks divine! Hooray for Fall!! xo
Claudia | The Brick Kitchen -
Girl I am SO impressed with your homemade chestnut pasta - making homemade pasta sheets for lasagne is just seriously next level. Love the combination of turkey and butternut squash as well <3
Allyson (Considering The Radish) -
This sounds even better than a normal, gluten lasagna. Butternut squash and chestnut? OMGyes.
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain -
Okay, you win the pasta game! GORGEOUS!!
Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire -
This sounds so good. I love the combination of flavors here, plus there's turkey which is perfect for me since I don't eat beef. And the chestnut pasta? It sounds amazing! I really need to find some chestnut flour because I think I would really love it.
Zerrin -
Sarah, these photos are AMAZING! You're making me hungry at this time of night (12:30am here). Never had chestnut pasta before, but I'm so intrigued. Perfect for the season! Pinning :)
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles -
What a gorgeous lasagna for fall!
gerry @ foodness gracious -
Wow, looks super delish! Funny thing is I made butternut squash lasagna last week but the pasta was actually shaved slices of the squash...tasted good but needs tweaking. I'll get back to it someday...or just make yours!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan -
Yeah I'm with Carla. Can't remember the last time you made me bechamel OR lasagna, let alone both, so I beat Lucas. (In case you ever need to suck up to me, a jar of bechamel will work. You don't even need to hand roll the chestnut pasta. That sauce would do the trick.) Love these photos girl!
Alanna -
Aww, this is so sweet! I'd definitely marry you for your lasagna. But I thought Lucas loves you for your moist chicken? (Not a euphemism...) Seriously though, that is one stunning, love-filled lasagna! I can imagine how perfect the chestnut pasta tastes with creamy bechamel and sweet butternut. YUM!!!
Carla -
You've never made me lasagna, but I love you anyway. The way I see it? Me>Lucas.
Sarah Menanix -
Oh yeah, that makes sense. Wanna move in? :) <3
Joyce @ Sun Diego Eats -
Chesnut pasta + squash + turkey + nutmeg (!!) bechamel sounds SO SO perfect. Lasagna was the first dish I learned to make when I was 16 and I haven't made it in ages...
*I think it's time*
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much Joyce! I agree - def lasagna time! I love that it makes leftovers!
Sheri -
Another lasagna to sample! Can't wait for you to make this for me! :)
Sarah Menanix -
<3
SallyBR -
I haven't made pasta from scratch in YEARS! This sounds like a great cooking project for the fall, and I intend to make it soon
I took a look at your ravioli and the fettuccini made with this pasta, very intriguing - I might start with a simple pasta to see how I like the texture and taste
the color is amazing!
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks! It's a sweet nutty pasta that pairs well with savory flavors - I recommend just a poached egg on top with some parm even!
Becky Winkler (A Calculated Whisk) -
This sounds amazing, and looks so pretty with the dark pasta and the pops of orange.
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much!! <3
Sarah | Broma Bakery -
Dude this is GORGEOUS. I love the idea of chestnut pasta! And your step-by-step photos are killing it.
Sarah Menanix -
Aw - thank you so much! This means so much coming from you <3 :*
Tori//Gringalicious -
This looks delish!!!! What a great seasonal dinner. Totally loving it!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you!!