Name: Butternut Squash Spinach Lasagna Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups butternut squash puree (about half of squash); 1 cup ricotta cheese; ½ cup milk or more, if needed; ¼ teaspoon salt plus ⅛ teaspoon more; ¼ teaspoon nutmeg; 8 oz spinach (1 cup cooked spinach); 1 cup ricotta cheese; 1 cup mozzarella cheese; 2 garlic cloves minced; ¼ teaspoon salt; pepper to taste; 10 oz lasagna noodles cooked (for gluten free, use Tinkyada brown rice lasagna noodles); 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese or more; ½ cup Parmesan cheese on top; ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning; ¼ teaspoon Paprika; ¼ teaspoon Basil

Something about the creamy, cozy layers of squash and cheese just feels like a warm hug. This Butternut Squash Spinach Lasagna Recipe takes the classic comfort of lasagna and adds a vibrant, nutritious twist that’s perfect for autumn dinners or anytime you want a little veggie-packed indulgence.

The image shows two square pieces of baked casserole on a white plate. Each piece has a golden-brown, slightly crispy top layer with some darker browned spots, indicating baked cheese or eggs. Below the top crust, there are visible layers of soft, creamy yellow and white textures mixed with small green pieces that look like spinach or herbs. The edges of the casserole pieces show a bit of layered, soft thickness. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a green cloth or napkin visible underneath the plate on the left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Butternut Squash Spinach Lasagna Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Butternut Squash Spinach Lasagna Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Butternut Squash Spinach Lasagna Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From the first time I made this lasagna, I was hooked. It’s got that rich, cheesy goodness everyone loves, paired with the velvety sweetness of butternut squash and fresh spinach. It’s a surefire crowd-pleaser with a surprising freshness that feels both indulgent and nourishing.

Unique Flavor Combination: The nuttiness of butternut squash beautifully complements the mild, melty cheeses and earthy spinach.
Vegetarian and Adaptable: Whether you’re vegetarian, gluten-free, or vegan, you can easily tweak this recipe to fit your needs.
Layered Texture: Smooth squash puree, tender noodles, and gooey cheese layers make every bite exciting.
Comfort Food Made Healthy: It satisfies cravings without feeling heavy or overly rich.

The image shows a white round dish with a layered lasagna inside. The top layer is golden brown with melted cheese that has some darker, crispy spots and sprinkled herbs. The lasagna is cut into several pieces, with one piece removed, revealing the layers inside. The layers include a creamy orange sauce with bits of green spinach and white noodles, which are soft and slightly wavy. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each component in this lasagna works harmoniously for taste and texture. Shopping for fresh butternut squash and quality cheeses makes a noticeable difference, and I always recommend using full-fat ricotta and fresh mozzarella for the creamiest result.

Flat lay of fresh butternut squash cut in half showing bright orange flesh and seeds, a small heap of fresh raw spinach leaves, a single clove of garlic unpeeled, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a few heaping spoonfuls of white ricotta cheese in a small white ceramic bowl, shredded mozzarella cheese neatly piled in another small white ceramic bowl, finely grated Parmesan cheese in a third small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with creamy milk, a few dry gluten-free brown rice lasagna noodles arranged side by side in a simple symmetrical stack, and small white ceramic bowls containing Italian seasoning, paprika, and dried basil placed evenly spaced around ingredients, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butternut Squash Puree: The star of the show—adds natural sweetness and creamy texture when pureed.
Ricotta Cheese: Keeps the layers rich and creamy without overwhelming the squash flavor.
Milk: Keeps the butternut squash filling smooth and spreadable.
Spinach: I prefer fresh cooked spinach for its vibrant color and slight earthiness; frozen works too but drain well.
Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully and helps bind the layers.
Garlic: Adds a subtle punch, making the spinach filling more flavorful.
Lasagna Noodles: Cooked until just tender; trimming helps fit your pan and avoids overlap.
Parmesan Cheese: Finishes off the dish with a salty, slightly nutty crust.
Italian Seasoning, Paprika, Basil: These spices enhance and balance the flavors without overpowering.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with this lasagna—sometimes adding toasted pine nuts to the spinach layer for crunch or swapping out spices to suit the season. Don’t be afraid to make it your own, whether that’s by going vegan, gluten-free, or simply turning up the garlic.

Variation: One time, I swapped mozzarella for smoked vegan cheese and used tofu ricotta; it created a smoky depth that was amazing.
Gluten-Free: I always recommend Tinkyada brown rice noodles—they hold up well and taste great.
Seasonal Twist: Roasted sage added during the butternut squash filling step brings autumn vibes to the next level.
Extra Veggies: Feel free to sneak in finely chopped mushrooms or zucchini into the spinach filling to bulk it up.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Butternut Squash Spinach Lasagna Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Butternut Squash Filling

Start with your pre-cooked butternut squash puree—this is key for that smooth texture. Blend it with ricotta, milk, salt, and nutmeg. The nutmeg is subtle but adds a warm, cozy note. I usually add milk little by little to get the mixture luxuriously creamy without it being runny. Taste as you go and tweak the salt—a perfectly seasoned filling makes all the difference!

Step 2: Prepare the Spinach Filling

Cook your spinach until wilted, squeeze out any excess water, and chop roughly. Mix with ricotta, shredded mozzarella, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. I like adding a tiny squeeze of fresh lemon juice here sometimes because it brightens the flavor and complements the squash beautifully, but it’s totally optional. Give it a good taste test before layering to balance the seasoning.

Step 3: Cook and Prep the Lasagna Noodles

Boil your noodles according to package instructions until al dente, then rinse with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Depending on your baking dish size, trim the noodles so they fit snugly without overlapping. I use an 11x8.5-inch casserole dish, and usually three noodles fit perfectly per layer.

Step 4: Assemble Your Layers

Lightly grease your baking dish with olive oil spray. Start by spreading one-third of the butternut squash filling evenly on the bottom, then sprinkle a little mozzarella on top. Place your noodles carefully—think of it like a comfy bed for the next fillings. Spread half your spinach mixture, add a sprinkle of mozzarella, then noodles again. Follow with another third of the squash filling, mozzarella, noodles, and finish with the remaining spinach filling and mozzarella. Top everything with the last third of squash filling and finish with Parmesan, mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, paprika, and basil for that beautiful aroma and flavor burst.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover your dish with foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes to let flavors meld and ensure it doesn’t dry out. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes to get that lovely bubbly, lightly golden top. If you’re using no-boil noodles, you might want to add a little extra liquid in the squash filling for moisture and bake an extra 10 minutes—thanks to a friend who shared that tip!

Top Tip

Making this Butternut Squash Spinach Lasagna Recipe for the first time, I learned that balancing moisture in the squash puree is everything. Too dry and it won’t spread well; too wet and it gets soggy. Here are my best tips to nail it every time:

Perfect Puree Consistency: Use a food processor or blender for ultra-smooth squash puree, then add milk slowly until it’s creamy but not runny.
Don’t Overcook Spinach: Just wilt it until bright green, then squeeze out water—this prevents a watery lasagna.
Layer Carefully: Avoid noodle overlap to keep layers neat and cook evenly.
Season as You Go: Taste your fillings separately to avoid bland layers—you want each to shine on its own.

How to Serve Butternut Squash Spinach Lasagna Recipe

butternut squash lasagna - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

My go-to garnish is a handful of fresh basil leaves—just adds that bright herbal pop on each serving. Sometimes I drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil for richness or a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts if I’m feeling fancy. A pinch of red pepper flakes brings a subtle heat that’s surprisingly nice against the sweet squash.

Side Dishes

I love serving this lasagna with a crisp green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Garlic bread or crusty sourdough rounds out the meal perfectly for those carb lovers. Roasted Brussels sprouts or a simple sautéed green vegetable make great seasonal sides too.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like to make individual lasagna cups using muffin tins—same recipe but baked in smaller portions for an elegant touch. You could also sprinkle edible flowers (like pansies or nasturtiums) for color or serve lasagna slices on a bed of fresh arugula for a peppery contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover lasagna covered tightly in the fridge and it holds up well for up to 4 days. When reheating, I recommend warming individual portions in the oven or skillet to keep the texture intact rather than using a microwave, which can make it watery.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully! To freeze, assemble it fully in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as usual—adding about 10 extra minutes to the cooking time.

Reheating

To reheat, I preheat the oven to 350°F, cover the lasagna with foil to keep moisture, and warm it for about 20-25 minutes until heated through. For single servings, a skillet with a lid works wonders to maintain melty, delicious layers without drying.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Butternut Squash Spinach Lasagna Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the lasagna a day in advance, keep it covered in the fridge, and bake it the next day. This actually helps the flavors marry beautifully.

How do I make this recipe gluten-free?

Switch out the regular lasagna noodles for gluten-free alternatives such as Tinkyada brown rice noodles. Just cook them according to package instructions and follow the recipe as usual.

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes! Just be sure to thaw it fully and squeeze out as much water as possible to avoid a soggy lasagna. Fresh spinach tends to give a brighter flavor and color, but frozen works fine in a pinch.

How do I make this recipe vegan?

Use vegan mozzarella and Parmesan substitutes, and swap ricotta with a tofu-based vegan ricotta (made from blended tofu, lemon juice, and seasoning). This keeps the creamy texture while being dairy-free and delicious.

Final Thoughts

This Butternut Squash Spinach Lasagna Recipe is a personal favorite for those chilly days when you want comfort food that feels a little lighter but still warms your soul. It’s a joy to make, share, and savor with family or friends—and I hope once you give it a try, it becomes a staple in your kitchen too. Trust me, those layers will have you coming back for seconds!