Layered Sweet Potato, Butternut Squash & Parsnip Lasagna with Feta, Walnuts & Cranberry-Honey Glaze
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A stunning vegetarian lasagna featuring layers of roasted sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and parsnips with creamy feta, crunchy walnuts, mozzarella, and a sweet-tart cranberry-honey glaze. Perfect for holidays, family dinners, or elegant entertaining.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time:Â 35 minutes
- Cook Time:Â 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time:Â 1 hour 45 minutes
- Servings:Â 8
- Difficulty:Â Intermediate
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (â…› inch)
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and thinly sliced
- 3 medium parsnips, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Filling
- 8 oz (225 g) feta cheese, crumbled
- 15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Walnut Mixture
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- Pinch of salt
Cranberry-Honey Glaze
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or whole-berry canned)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Cream Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2½ cups whole milk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
Top Layer
- 1½ cups mozzarella
- ¼ cup Parmesan
- Extra walnuts
- Fresh thyme
- Fresh parsley
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Mandoline or sharp knife
- Saucepan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
Instructions
Step 1: Roast the Vegetables
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Toss sweet potatoes, squash, and parsnips with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Arrange on baking sheets in a single layer.
Roast for 15–18 minutes until just tender.
Cool slightly.
Step 2: Prepare Walnut Mixture
Toast walnuts in butter for 4 minutes.
Stir in maple syrup.
Cook another minute.
Set aside.
Step 3: Make the Cheese Filling
Mix together:
- Ricotta
- Feta
- Egg
- Garlic
- Herbs
Fold in half of the mozzarella.
Step 4: Prepare the Cream Sauce
Melt butter.
Whisk in flour.
Cook 2 minutes.
Gradually whisk in milk.
Cook until thick.
Add:
- Parmesan
- Garlic powder
- Nutmeg
- White pepper
Stir until smooth.
Step 5: Make Cranberry-Honey Glaze
Whisk together:
- Cranberry sauce
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Balsamic vinegar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
Warm gently until smooth.
Assemble the Lasagna
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Layer in this order:
- Thin layer of cream sauce
- Sweet potatoes
- Cheese mixture
- Walnuts
- Cranberry glaze (drizzle lightly)
- Butternut squash
- Cream sauce
- Cheese mixture
- Parsnips
- Remaining cheese
- Remaining vegetables
Repeat until all ingredients are used.
Finish with:
- Cream sauce
- Mozzarella
- Parmesan
- Walnuts
Bake
Cover with foil.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 40 minutes.
Remove foil.
Bake another 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
Rest 15 minutes before slicing.
Garnish
Sprinkle with:
- Fresh thyme
- Parsley
- Extra feta
- Chopped toasted walnuts
Drizzle lightly with warm cranberry glaze before serving.
Chef’s Tips
- Slice vegetables evenly for uniform cooking.
- Roast vegetables first to reduce excess moisture.
- Let the lasagna rest before cutting to help it hold its shape.
- Fresh herbs provide the best flavor.
- Toasting the walnuts enhances their crunch and aroma.
Variations
Vegan
- Replace dairy cheeses with plant-based alternatives.
- Use flaxseed “egg.”
- Swap butter for vegan butter.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey.
Gluten-Free
- Use a gluten-free flour blend for the cream sauce.
Extra Protein
- Add cooked lentils.
- Add sautéed mushrooms.
- Mix in white beans.
Extra Festive
- Add pomegranate seeds before serving.
- Garnish with fried sage leaves.
Storage
Refrigerator:Â Up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Freezer:Â Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Bake covered at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, or microwave individual portions until heated through.
Nutrition Information (Approximate Per Serving)
Nutrient Amount Calories 520 kcal Protein 20 g Carbohydrates 37 g Fat 33 g Saturated Fat 14 g Fiber 6 g Sugars 14 g Sodium 690 mg Cholesterol 75 mg Potassium 760 mg Calcium 380 mg Iron 2.3 mg Vitamin A 180% DV Vitamin C 30% DV Nutrition values are estimates and will vary based on ingredient brands and exact portion sizes.
Allergen Information
Contains:
- Milk:Â Ricotta, feta, mozzarella, Parmesan, butter, milk
- Egg:Â Egg in the cheese filling
- Tree Nuts:Â Walnuts
- Gluten:Â All-purpose flour (unless using a gluten-free substitute)
Naturally Free Of:
- Peanuts
- Soy (unless present in processed dairy products)
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Sesame
Substitution Ideas:
- Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version.
- Replace walnuts with roasted pumpkin seeds if avoiding tree nuts.
- Use dairy-free cheeses and butter for a dairy-free version.
- Replace the egg with a flaxseed egg or commercial egg replacer for an egg-free option.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q: Can I prepare this a day ahead?
A: Yes. Assemble the lasagna, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake the next day, adding 10–15 minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.Q: Can I use frozen vegetables?
A:Â Fresh vegetables provide the best texture, but thawed and well-drained frozen squash or sweet potatoes can work in a pinch.Q: What can I serve with this lasagna?
A:Â It pairs well with a crisp green salad, roasted Brussels sprouts, steamed green beans, or crusty artisan bread.Q: Can I omit the walnuts?
A:Â Yes. You can leave them out or substitute roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds for crunch.Q: Why roast the vegetables first?
A:Â Roasting removes excess moisture, concentrates flavor, and helps the lasagna slice cleanly instead of becoming watery.Q: Can I use other cheeses?
A: Yes. Goat cheese, fontina, Gruyère, or provolone all complement the sweet vegetables beautifully.This colorful, layered lasagna balances sweet roasted vegetables, tangy feta, crunchy walnuts, creamy sauce, and a bright cranberry-honey glaze for a memorable centerpiece at any table.
