Gluten-free Butternut Squash Lasagna
By: Leah Rodrigues
Published: September 19, 2012

Butternut squash and zucchini lasagna is a comforting gluten-free meal.  Instead of traditional pasta sheets, this recipe utilizes rice lasagna sheets.  They are available at health food stores and online.  This dish is not only healthy but also delicious.   Butternut squash and zucchini lasagna is perfect for fall eating.
 
Gluten-free Butternut and Zucchini Lasagna
 
Ingredients:
 
1 medium butternut squash, peeled, thinly sliced
4 medium zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise
1 1/2 boxes Tinkyada Organic Rice Lasagna sheets
1/2 cup Daiya Cheddar Style Shredded
3 tablespoons Daiya Cheddar Style Wedge
Fresh Sage Leaves, about 20 leaves
4 tablespoons Earth Balance Coconut Spread
2 tablespoons brown rice flour
2 cups coconut milk
1/2 cup unflavored almond milk
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt + additional pinch of kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon crushed black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground sage
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne
1 1/2 tablespoons arrowroot
1 tablespoon water
olive oil
				 
Directions:
 








*Note: Use 12x9 Casserole dish


   
Preheat Oven to 400 degrees F


   
In a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, add sliced zucchini, and sliced butternut squash.  Sprinkle pinch of salt and thyme evenly over vegetables, drizzle with olive oil.


   

Roast in the oven for 30 minutes.  When done, remove from oven and reduce heat to 350 degrees F.



   
Meanwhile for the sauce, combine water and arrowroot in a small bowl, set aside.  In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, add coconut spread, when it melts add brown rice flour, whisk until smooth.  Lower heat to medium. Add coconut milk, almond milk, all seasonings, whisk until smooth.  When you begin to see bubbles form quickly whisk in the arrowroot mixture.  Continue to whisk for a minute until mixture has thickened to the consistency of a cream sauce.  Set aside.


   
To Cook Lasagna Sheets:
 


In a large 8 quart shallow pot on medium high heat, boil the water, add a few tablespoons of salt, or to taste, then gently put lasagna sheets in, do not push down. As they begin to soften they will drop down into the boiling water. Stir occasionally to separate sheets.  Drain, set aside for assembling.  Save the prettier pieces for the top layer, as lasagna tends to get stick, pieces may break but it will still be delicious.  It may seem like a lot of salt in the water, however, pasta water should taste like the ocean for the pasta to absorb flavor.


 


To assemble the Lasagna:


   
First layer, add a third of the “cream” sauce to the casserole dish, about 8 sage leaves then 2 layers of lasagna pasta.  Second layer, add slices of zucchini to fill pan, 1/4 cup of cheddar style shredded cheese, 5 sage leaves.  Third layer, add one row of lasagna pasta, slices of butternut squash, 1/4 cup cheddar style shredded cheese, about 8 sage leaves.  Top layer, add remaining “cream” sauce, 2 layers lasagna pasta, crumble cheddar cheese wedge directly over the top and place 4 sage leaves; if the sage leaves do not lay flat wet the back and it will adhere to the pasta.


   
Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet pan (in case it drips over).


   
Bake for 70 minutes. Let it cool for 10 minutes. Serve hot.

*Note: Use 12x9 Casserole dish


     
Preheat Oven to 400 degrees F


     
In a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, add sliced zucchini, and sliced butternut squash.  Sprinkle pinch of salt and thyme evenly over vegetables, drizzle with olive oil.


     

Roast in the oven for 30 minutes.  When done, remove from oven and reduce heat to 350 degrees F.



     
Meanwhile for the sauce, combine water and arrowroot in a small bowl, set aside.  In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, add coconut spread, when it melts add brown rice flour, whisk until smooth.  Lower heat to medium. Add coconut milk, almond milk, all seasonings, whisk until smooth.  When you begin to see bubbles form quickly whisk in the arrowroot mixture.  Continue to whisk for a minute until mixture has thickened to the consistency of a cream sauce.  Set aside.


     
To Cook Lasagna Sheets:
 


In a large 8 quart shallow pot on medium high heat, boil the water, add a few tablespoons of salt, or to taste, then gently put lasagna sheets in, do not push down. As they begin to soften they will drop down into the boiling water. Stir occasionally to separate sheets.  Drain, set aside for assembling.  Save the prettier pieces for the top layer, as lasagna tends to get stick, pieces may break but it will still be delicious.  It may seem like a lot of salt in the water, however, pasta water should taste like the ocean for the pasta to absorb flavor.


 


To assemble the Lasagna:


     
First layer, add a third of the “cream” sauce to the casserole dish, about 8 sage leaves then 2 layers of lasagna pasta.  Second layer, add slices of zucchini to fill pan, 1/4 cup of cheddar style shredded cheese, 5 sage leaves.  Third layer, add one row of lasagna pasta, slices of butternut squash, 1/4 cup cheddar style shredded cheese, about 8 sage leaves.  Top layer, add remaining “cream” sauce, 2 layers lasagna pasta, crumble cheddar cheese wedge directly over the top and place 4 sage leaves; if the sage leaves do not lay flat wet the back and it will adhere to the pasta.


     
Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet pan (in case it drips over).


     
Bake for 70 minutes. Let it cool for 10 minutes. Serve hot.