Experience the ultimate in convenience and flavor with this incredible Skillet Butternut Squash Lasagna. Perfect for a busy weeknight yet impressive enough for guests, this one-pan wonder simplifies your cooking without compromising on taste.

Easy Skillet Butternut Squash Lasagna: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal

As the leaves begin to turn and the air gets crisp, there’s nothing quite like the comforting embrace of a warm, homemade meal. And when it comes to fall and winter vegetables, butternut squash reigns supreme! Its naturally sweet, nutty flavor and creamy texture make it an incredibly versatile ingredient, perfect for everything from hearty stews to velvety smooth soups. This Skillet Butternut Squash Lasagna beautifully showcases the squash, transforming it into a rich, satisfying vegetarian dish that will delight even the most committed meat-eaters.

Butternut squash isn’t just delicious; it’s also packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, making it a healthy addition to your diet. It brings a vibrant color and subtly sweet counterpoint to the savory elements of lasagna. If you’re a fan of this autumnal gem, you’ll also adore our Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta, the warming Butternut Squash Chili with Beef, and the soothing Slow Cooker Creamy Butternut Squash Soup. Each recipe highlights the incredible versatility of this beloved squash.

Simplify Your Weeknights with One-Pan Lasagna

Every year, many of us set a goal to cook at home more often, especially after the hectic holiday season. It’s a desire to eat healthier, save money, and gather around the dinner table with loved ones. While I spend a lot of time creating and sharing recipes, even I find myself caught in the whirlwind of busy schedules, where quick takeout or whatever’s easiest often takes priority. That’s why I prioritize adding truly simple, satisfying recipes to my rotation, especially at the start of the year.

This Skillet Butternut Squash Lasagna is a cornerstone of that mission. It proves that creating a delicious, wholesome meal doesn’t require a stack of dirty dishes or hours in the kitchen. The magic of this recipe lies in its one-skillet preparation. No boiling noodles separately, no baking in a large, messy dish – everything comes together in a single pan on your stovetop. This not only dramatically cuts down on cleanup time but also infuses every layer with deep, rich flavor as the ingredients meld together.

For those seeking comfort food that’s both hearty and vegetarian, this skillet lasagna is an absolute winner. It’s surprisingly filling and flavorful, ensuring that even meat lovers will find it incredibly satisfying. The sweet earthiness of the butternut squash, combined with creamy ricotta, savory Parmesan, aromatic herbs, and tangy marinara, creates a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite. And with the option to roast your butternut squash ahead of time, this dish becomes an effortlessly quick weeknight solution.

Mastering the Art of Roasting Butternut Squash

Roasting butternut squash is a simple process that unlocks its incredible natural sweetness and depth of flavor, making it an essential step for this lasagna. While there are a few methods for roasting squash, for this recipe, we’ll focus on cubing it to ensure it integrates perfectly into the layers of our skillet lasagna.

Selecting and Preparing Your Butternut Squash

• Choosing Your Squash: Look for a butternut squash that feels heavy for its size and has a uniform, matte, beige skin free of soft spots or blemishes.
• Peeling: The thick skin of butternut squash can be daunting, but a good vegetable peeler is your best friend. For stubborn areas or if you prefer using a knife, carefully trim off the ends, then stand the squash upright on a cutting board. Use a sharp, sturdy knife to slice down the sides, removing the skin in strips. For an easier peel, you can microwave the whole squash for 1-2 minutes to soften the skin slightly before peeling.
• Seeding: Once peeled, cut the squash in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and fibrous strands from the bulbous end.
• Cubing: For this lasagna, aim for uniform 1/2-inch cubes. This size ensures even roasting and that the squash blends beautifully with the other ingredients in your skillet.

The Roasting Process: Step-by-Step

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). This high temperature is key to achieving perfectly tender and slightly caramelized squash.
2. Seasoning: Place the cubed butternut squash on a large baking sheet. Drizzle generously with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss everything together directly on the baking sheet until the squash is evenly coated.
3. Single Layer: Spread the seasoned squash into a single layer on the baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can steam the squash instead of roasting it, preventing that desirable caramelization. If necessary, use two baking sheets.
4. Roast to Perfection: Roast the squash in the preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until it is fork-tender and slightly golden at the edges. For even cooking and browning, make sure to stir the squash once or twice during the roasting time.
5. Cooling: Once roasted, remove the squash from the oven and let it cool slightly. This step is crucial for its flavor and texture in the lasagna.

Roasting the butternut squash ahead of time is a fantastic way to break down the recipe steps, making this skillet lasagna an even quicker option for those busy weeknights.

Essential Tips for a Perfect Skillet Butternut Squash Lasagna

Achieving a perfectly layered and flavorful skillet lasagna is easier than you think with these expert tips and tricks:

• Save Time with Pre-Cubed Squash: If time is of the essence, don’t hesitate to purchase pre-cubed butternut squash from your grocery store. While it might be slightly more expensive, the convenience it offers in skipping the peeling and chopping steps is invaluable on a busy day. Just be sure to check the weight to ensure you have enough.
• Advance Prep for Roasting: The roasted butternut squash can be prepared a day or two in advance. After roasting, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and refrigerating. This makes assembling the lasagna quick and effortless when you’re ready to cook.
• No-Boil Lasagna Noodles Are Key: This recipe specifically calls for no-boil lasagna noodles. These thin, pre-cooked noodles absorb moisture directly from the sauce as they cook, eliminating the need for a separate boiling step and making it truly a one-pan dish. If you only have regular lasagna noodles, you’ll need to pre-soften them. Simply place them in a shallow dish, cover with boiling water, and let them sit for about 15 minutes until pliable before draining and using.
• Fresh Herbs Make a Difference: Fresh basil adds a bright, aromatic punch that elevates the entire dish. While fresh basil is highly recommended, if it’s out of season or unavailable, you can use dried basil. However, dried herbs are more concentrated, so use them sparingly. For dried basil, reduce the quantity to about 2 tablespoons to prevent an overpowering flavor.
• Embrace the Leftovers: Skillet butternut squash lasagna makes fantastic leftovers! Store any remaining portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or oven, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. Consider making a larger batch to ensure you have delicious meals ready to go.
• Choose the Right Skillet: A large (10-12 inch) oven-safe, non-stick skillet with a tight-fitting lid is ideal for this recipe. A good quality skillet ensures even cooking and prevents sticking, making cleanup a breeze.

Flavorful Variations and Serving Suggestions

While this Skillet Butternut Squash Lasagna is perfect as is, it also lends itself beautifully to creative variations:

• Add Greens: Stir in a handful of fresh spinach or kale into the ricotta mixture for an extra boost of nutrients and a pop of color.
• Spice It Up: For a touch of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce.
• Heartier Option: If you’re not strictly vegetarian, consider adding cooked crumbled Italian sausage or ground turkey to the marinara sauce for a more robust flavor profile.
• Herb Variations: Experiment with other fresh herbs like sage or thyme, which pair wonderfully with butternut squash.
• Different Cheeses: While mozzarella and Parmesan are classics, feel free to try provolone, fontina, or even a smoked Gouda for a unique twist.

Serve this comforting lasagna with a simple side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette and some crusty garlic bread to soak up all the delicious sauce. A glass of dry white wine or a light-bodied red would complement the rich flavors beautifully.

Discover More Delicious Lasagna Creations

If you love the versatility and comfort of lasagna, explore these other fantastic recipes from our collection:

Lasagna Soup Recipe
Classic Skillet Lasagna
Cheesy Chicken and Green Chile Lasagna
Traditional Lasagna Recipe
Spaghetti Lasagna

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Skillet Butternut Squash Lasagna

5 from 2 votes

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

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One skillet is all you need for this easy Skillet Butternut Squash Lasagna. Easy enough for a weeknight, and all you need is one pan!

Ingredients

• 1 lb cubed butternut squash
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 6 no-boil lasagna noodles
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 8 oz)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC).
2. Place the cubed butternut squash on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then stir to combine. Spread the squash into a single layer and roast until fork-tender, about 25-30 minutes, stirring once or twice for even cooking. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the roasted squash, ricotta cheese, 3/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, the fresh rosemary, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg. In a separate bowl, combine the marinara sauce with the chopped fresh basil.
4. Spread 1/2 cup of the prepared marinara sauce evenly in the bottom of a large nonstick skillet (a 12-inch skillet works best). Lay 2 of the no-boil lasagna noodles over the marinara. Evenly spread half of the butternut squash mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle with 1/3 of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
5. Add another layer of 2 lasagna noodles. Spread the remaining butternut squash mixture over these noodles, followed by 1 cup of the marinara sauce, and half of the remaining mozzarella cheese.
6. Top with the final 2 lasagna noodles, the rest of the marinara sauce, and then the remaining mozzarella cheese. Finish by sprinkling the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top.
7. Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and cook over medium-low heat for approximately 20 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the cheese is thoroughly melted and bubbly. Halfway through cooking, check the edges of the lasagna; if they appear dry, you can add up to 1/2 cup of water around the edges to prevent scorching.
8. Once cooked, remove the skillet from the heat and let the lasagna rest, covered, for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set and makes for easier slicing.

Recipe Notes:

Adapted from Food Network Magazine October 2014.

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/4 of recipe

Calories: 643kcal (32%)

Carbohydrates: 63g (21%)

Protein: 33g (66%)

Fat: 32g (49%)

Saturated Fat: 10g (63%)

Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g

Trans Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 57mg (19%)

Sodium: 879mg (38%)

Fiber: 12g (50%)

Sugar: 8g (9%)

Keywords: butternut squash lasagna, skillet butternut squash lasagna, one-pan lasagna, vegetarian lasagna, easy weeknight lasagna