Butternut Squash, Spinach and Zucchini Lasagna. One of my most popular recipes, this delicious vegetarian recipe is rich, creamy and loved by even the pickiest of eaters!
It's made up of layers of spinach and pureed butternut squash sandwiched between pasta and zucchini noodles. And cheese, there's lots and lots of cheese.
Ingredients
BUTTERNUT SQUASH FILLING
- Butternut squash puree from 1 large or two small roasted butternut squash or 3 cans
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cups milk (more if needed)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Spinach Ricotta Filling
- 3 16 ounce bags frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed of all extra water
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Pepper
Other
- 3 medium zucchini sliced into 1/8" thick noodles (I used this)
- 10-15 sheets no-boil lasagna noodles (or lasagna noodle of choice)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for the top)
- Fresh basil, for topping
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
FOR THE BUTTERNUT SQUASH FILLING
- Roast and puree your own butternut squash, (see how to here) or buy it canned from the market. If neither are available to you, pureed pumpkin is another great option.
- Place the cooked (or canned) butternut squash, ricotta, garlic, milk, salt + pepper, and nutmeg in the bowl of a large food processor. Puree until completely smooth. Add more milk if needed- you want the butternut squash filling to be thick and creamy, but not runny. Season to taste.
FOR THE SPINACH RICOTTA MIX
- Remove excess water from the thawed spinach; you can do this using a mesh wire strainer, cheesecloth, or tea cloth. Transfer the spinach to a large mixing bowl with the ricotta cheese, mozzarella, fresh chopped basil, salt and pepper. Mix until fully combined.
PUTTING IT TOGETHER
- Prepare your baking dish (I usually use a large, deep casserole dish, 12.38"L x 9.25"W x 2"H, but the one shown in the images is slightly larger). Spray dish with non-stick cooking spray of choice.
- Spread 1/3 of the butternut squash filling on the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle with a thin layer of mozzarella cheese and cover with a single, non-overlapping layer of no-boil lasagna noodles (approx. 5). Gently spread half the spinach mixture over the noodles and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Top with a layer of sliced zucchini*
- (REPEAT) Spread 1/3 of the butternut squash mixture over the sliced zucchini layer. Sprinkle with a light layer of mozzarella cheese and top with a single, non-overlapping layer of no-boil lasagna noodles (approx. 5). Spread the second half of the spinach mixture on top of the lasagna noodles. Top with mozzarella cheese and top with a layer of sliced zucchini.
- Spread the remaining 1/3 of the butternut squash filling over the zucchini and sprinkle with grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle fresh basil leaves on top of the cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with a large foil "tent" and bake for approximately 20-30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Top with additional fresh basil, if desired.
- Enjoy!
What is mesothelioma? This question will be asked by the people who are not familiar with the term. Obviously, not everyone is familiar with this one disease. So, what is the meaning behind mesothelioma? Well, this refers to a particular type of cancer that is relatively rare. The cancer cells in this disease will attack the lines of cells or simply refer as mesothelioma that protects the body internal organs. The cancer cells may start to occur and grow through cavity in chest, abdomen or even from heart cavity. From the cavity in those internal organs, it may spread and affect the other parts of body.
Now that it is clear, mesothelioma is a type of cancer but what is mesothelioma cancer? Is it just about membrane? The disease indeed comes from the cavity of membrane. The cavity of chest membrane or pleura is known to be the most common. This is called as pleural mesothelioma. The less common form is called as peritoneal mesothelioma. This one comes from the abdomen cavity. Another form of mesothelioma comes from heart cavity and known as pericardial mesothelioma. No matter from where the cancer comes, an immediate treatment is needed
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Now, after finding the answer of what is mesothelioma, the next question will come naturally. What causes this condition? The main cause of this condition is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is known as mineral with very microscopic fiber. The jobs that will always in contact with asbestos will have high risk. Of course, the workers of asbestos mines become the most vulnerable. About 70% to 80% cases of mesothelioma are linked to the exposure of asbestos while working. Aside of working environment, buildings with asbestos will slowly cause cavity that might end up with cancer. In developing into cancer, it might take around 30 to 40 years but some people take 70 years before cancer shows up.
What is mesothelioma? And what are the things that will cause this condition? Aside of asbestos, the cancer of mesothelium is also reported to be caused by several other things.
- Genetics believed to also cause mesothelioma but the rates varied amongst population.
- Radiation in high doses to the chest or the abdomen or the radiation that comes after thorium dioxide (Thorotrast) injections.
- Zeolites are minerals and chemically related to mineral asbestos. One of the related minerals is known as erionite and commonly found in the soil of some places in Turkey. The exposure of erinite is thought to increase the risk of mesothelioma.
What are Symptoms of Mesothelioma?
Now that the question of what is mesothelioma has been answered and the causes are also known, the time to learn about its symptoms has come. What are mesothelioma symptoms? The initial symptoms are as the followings:
- Short breaths
- Pain in the chest
- Coughing
- Increasing short breaths
- Loss appetite
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
Treatment for Mesothelioma
What is mesothelioma? Knowing the answer of that question, the next thing that will be necessary is to find out the proper treatment for this disease. There are three options of treatment that will need to be done. In any cases of mesothelioma, two or even three of these treatments might be combined.
These treatments will include:
- Surgery to take out cancer.
- Therapy of radiation using the high dose X-rays or the other high energy rays to get cancer cells killed.
- Chemotherapy that will use drugs to fight the cells of cancer.
Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
After asking the question what is mesothelioma and know about this condition, many people will ask about the life expectancy of the patients. Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer. Approximately, it will cause death to the patients as fast as four months or as long as one year. This is not a very pleasant thing to be heard. But this fact is something that cannot be denied. The only thing that may bring relief is the fact that this type of cancer is rarely found.
Considering the malignancy and the danger that will be brought, trying to avoid the disease from happening is natural. It will be better to stay away from asbestos and the other things that might trigger mesothelioma. In order to get better maintenance in health, the regular health checkup is needed. Treating mesothelioma as soon as possible is highly recommended. That is the reason why everyone needs to visit a doctor when they feel initial symptoms. Taking action is better rather than just asking about what is mesothelioma.
Butternut Squash, Zucchini and Spinach Lasagna
4/
5
Oleh
Berita Unik
