1lbground pork sausageregular, sage, or Italian sausage
1shallotminced
4clovesgarlicminced
1/8tspground red pepper flakes
4cupspinachroughly chopped
15ozricotta cheese
1large egg
1/4tspdried sageor 1 tsp. freshly minced sage
1/4tspsalt
1 1/2cupmozzarella cheesefreshly grated
1/4cupparmesan cheesegrated
For Layering
9no-boil lasagna noodles
1cupmozzarella cheesefreshly grated
1tbspparsley freshly chopped (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Set an 8x8-inch or a 9x9-inch dish or pan aside.
In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, add the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the flour and whisk for 30 seconds. Slowly pour in the milk or half and half, whisking continuously until smooth.
Bring the mixture to a simmer. Let thicken enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, and pumpkin; whisk to combine. Remove from the heat.
In a medium non-stick skillet set over medium heat, add the sausage. Cook until lightly browned, breaking it up into small chunks as it cooks. Add the shallot and garlic; cook for 2 minutes. Sprinkle in the red pepper and spinach. Continue cooking until the spinach has wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat. Mix in the ricotta, egg, sage, salt, mozzarella, and parmesan.
In the bottom of the pan, add 1/4 cup of sauce. Layer noodles so that they completely cover the bottom of the pan (you will most likely use two, then break up the third one). Add half of the filling, then pour 1/3 of the sauce over top.
Repeat by adding noodles, then filling, then sauce. Add the final layer of noodles, followed by the remaining sauce over top. Sprinkle the 1 cup of cheese over the sauce.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes or until the top begins to turn golden brown. Remove and allow to sit for 15 minutes before cutting and serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
-To make this meatless, swap the sausage for 2 cups of sliced cremini or baby bella mushrooms. Cook in 3 tablespoons of olive oil until dark brown, and proceed with the remaining recipe steps.STORE Pumpkin Lasagna leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To FREEZE unbaked, cover tightly and store for up to 2 months.Thaw in the fridge overnight, then let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. Increase the cooking time slightly, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). REHEAT in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or use the microwave if preferred.