Hey y'all! If you're searching for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dish that bursts with flavor and color, this Hearty Vegetable Lasagna Featuring Sweet Potato, Butternut Squash, and Tangy Cranberry Glaze is exactly what you need. Packed with roasted veggies, luscious cheese, and a unique zing from homemade cranberry glaze, this lasagna is perfect for holiday gatherings or a fun weeknight dinner. Let's get cooking!
Why You'll Love This
- Stacks of roasted sweet potato and Butternut Squash add savory sweetness and irresistible texture.
- The tangy cranberry glaze delivers a delightful pop of flavor you won’t find in typical lasagna.
- It’s a comforting, hearty vegetarian meal that fully satisfies the whole family.
- Great for meal prep—leftovers taste even better the next day!
- Customizable and beautiful enough for holidays, potlucks, or just a cozy night in.
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 1 small Butternut Squash, peeled, seeded, and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
Prep and Roast the Vegetables
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and lightly grease a large baking sheet.
- Spread sliced sweet potatoes and butternut squash on the sheet, drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and fork-tender. Let cool slightly.
Make the Tangy Cranberry Glaze
- While vegetables roast, combine cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Simmer 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and mixture thickens. Mash any whole berries with the back of a spoon and set aside to cool.
Prepare the Cheese Mixture
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with half the mozzarella, Parmesan, dried thyme, and garlic powder until well combined.
Assemble the Lasagna
- Boil lasagna noodles according to package instructions; drain and lay flat.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Layer 3 noodles over the sauce, then add half the roasted vegetables, a handful of spinach, half the cheese mixture, and a drizzle (about ⅓) of the cranberry glaze.
- Repeat: noodles, sauce, veggies, spinach, cheese, and more glaze.
- Top with remaining noodles, marinara sauce, remaining mozzarella, and a final swirl of cranberry glaze.
Bake the Lasagna
- Cover dish loosely with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until cheese bubbles and top turns golden.
- Let lasagna rest at least 15 minutes before slicing to set up beautifully.
Notes
- Roasting the veggies ahead enhances their sweetness—don’t skip this flavorful step!
- If the cranberry glaze thickens too much, just warm and stir in an extra splash of orange juice.
- Make sure your lasagna rests before cutting for thick, beautiful layers.
Variations
- Vegan: Use vegan cheeses and sub maple syrup for honey in the glaze.
- Gluten-Free: Swap for gluten-free lasagna noodles.
- Mediterranean Twist: Add sautéed mushrooms and roasted red peppers between layers.
Required Equipment
- Large baking sheet
- Small saucepan
- Mixing bowls
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Aluminum foil
- Knife and cutting board
Storage Instructions
Store cooled lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, wrap in plastic and foil for up to 2 months. Reheat individual slices in the microwave or cover and bake at 350°F (177°C) until hot throughout.
Suggested Pairings & Serving Recommendations
- Serve with a crisp green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette for a fresh contrast.
- Garlic bread or herbed focaccia makes a perfect side to soak up the sauce.
- A light Pinot Noir or a sparkling cranberry spritzer pairs beautifully with the fruity notes of the glaze.
Pro Tips
- Layer the cranberry glaze thinly to avoid overpowering the savory flavors.
- Use a mandoline slicer to get evenly thin slices of sweet potato and squash.
- To get perfectly clean slices, let the lasagna cool and use a sharp serrated knife.
FAQ
Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the lasagna up to a day ahead, refrigerate, and bake when ready to serve for ultimate convenience.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
You can, but roasting fresh veggies gives deeper flavor and better texture. If using frozen, thaw first and pat dry.
Is the cranberry glaze too sweet?
Not at all—it's nicely balanced and provides a tangy accent that contrasts beautifully with the creamy cheese and savory veggies.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
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1Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and lightly grease a large baking sheet.
-
2Spread sliced sweet potatoes and butternut squash on the sheet, drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
-
3Roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and fork-tender. Let cool slightly.
-
4While vegetables roast, combine cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat.
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5Simmer 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and mixture thickens. Mash any whole berries with the back of a spoon and set aside to cool.
-
6In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with half the mozzarella, Parmesan, dried thyme, and garlic powder until well combined.
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7Boil lasagna noodles according to package instructions; drain and lay flat.
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8Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
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9Layer 3 noodles over the sauce, then add half the roasted vegetables, a handful of spinach, half the cheese mixture, and a drizzle (about ⅓) of the cranberry glaze.
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10Repeat: noodles, sauce, veggies, spinach, cheese, and more glaze.
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11Top with remaining noodles, marinara sauce, remaining mozzarella, and a final swirl of cranberry glaze.
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12Cover dish loosely with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes.
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13Remove foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until cheese bubbles and top turns golden.
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14Let lasagna rest at least 15 minutes before slicing to set up beautifully.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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