Pumpkin Lasagne

Pumpkin lasagne is a delicious dish and an excellent autumnal variant of the classic Italian dish. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 250 g lasagne (preferably egg)
• 800 g pumpkin (already cleaned and cut into cubes)
• 1 onion
• 400 ml béchamel sauce
• 150 g grated cheese (Parmesan or pecorino)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Nutmeg
• Salt and pepper

Preparation

1. Start by preheating the oven to 180 °C.
2. Peel and finely chop the onion, then sauté it in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil until it becomes translucent.
3. Add the pumpkin cubes to the pan and let cook, stirring occasionally, until the pumpkin becomes soft. At this point, you can lightly mash the pumpkin with a fork to create a more homogeneous mixture. Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg.
4. Meanwhile, prepare the béchamel following your favorite recipe or the package instructions and add a bit of nutmeg to flavor it.
5. Take a baking dish and start assembling the lasagne by alternating layers of pasta, pumpkin and béchamel. Make sure to finish with a layer of béchamel and pumpkin.
6. Sprinkle the top layer with plenty of grated cheese.
7. Bake the lasagne for about 30-40 minutes, or until the surface becomes golden and crispy.
8. Remove the lasagne from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Interesting Facts

Pumpkin lasagne is a lighter alternative to classic Bolognese lasagne but no less tasty. The combination of the sweetness of the pumpkin with the savory flavor of the béchamel and grated cheese creates a balance of flavors that pleasantly surprises the palate. In addition, pumpkin is rich in vitamins and minerals, making this dish not only tasty but also nutritious.