4 T. unsalted butter

2 1/2 C. diced yellow onion

2 lbs butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/4 inch thick slices

1 3/4 C. vegetable broth

4 T. chopped fresh thyme, divided use

4 T. chopped fresh sage, divided use

2 15oz containers of ricotta

4 1/2 C. shredded mozzarella, divided use

1 C. shredded Parmesan, divided use

3 large eggs

3 biscotti cookies (not sweet ones, we used almond & walnut biscotti with a hint of anise flavoring)

Salt and pepper to taste

1 10oz package no-boil lasagna noodles

For béchamel:

2 T. butter

2 T. all-purpose flour

1 3/4 C. whole milk

Pinch of nutmeg

Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment: 9 x 13 inch baking dish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt 4 T. butter in a large pot or dutch oven. Add onion and cook over medium heat until soft, about 10 minutes. Raise heat to high and continue to cook, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. In the same pot, add the sliced squash, vegetable broth, 3 T. of thyme and 3 T. sage. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until squash is tender, about 20 minutes.  While squash is cooking, in a medium bowl combine ricotta, 2 C. of mozzarella, 1/2 C. Parmesan and the remaining 1 T. thyme and 1 T. sage. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the eggs and mix well. Set aside. When squash is done, cool slightly and remove 3/4 C. of the excess liquid (1 C. if there is an excessive amount of liquid). Transfer to food processor. Break the biscotti in half and add to the processor. Blend until smooth, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. In a medium saucepan melt 2 T. butter over medium heat. Add 2 T. flour and whisk for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, whisking frequently. Whisk in the nutmeg. This sauce is called “béchamel” and it’s done when it coats the back of a spoon. (Make the bechamel just before assembling the lasagna, if it sits too long it will develop a skin). Now it is time to assemble the lasagna. Coat the bottom of your baking dish with 1/2 of the béchamel. Then layer the rest of the lasagna as follows:

1/3 of the ricotta mixture

Noodles (make sure they are not overlapping)

1/3 of the squash mixture

1/2 of the onions

1/3 of the remaining mozzarella

1/3 of the ricotta mixture

Noodles

1/3 of the squash mixture

1/2 of the onions

1/3 of the ricotta mixture

1/3 of the mozzarella

Rest of the béchamel

Noodles

Remaining squash mixture

Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes. Then remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is completely melted and starting to color a bit. Remove from oven and allow to rest for about 10 minutes.