.
Feedback

How to Indulge Innocently: Pumpkin, Sausage, and Sage Lasagna

Have pumpkin fever? Try out this hearty and healthy pumpkin, sausage, and sage lasagna to help celebrate the start of the pumpkin season!

Happy October!!!  After spending the past four years working on my nursing degree in Nashville, TN, it is certainly wonderful to return to my New England roots for the fall season.  It seems that the very sight of a changing leaf, sends just about anyone into a pumpkin fever.  Between pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin beers, pumpkin cream cheese spreads, and pumpkin martini's it appears the the orange gourd will be taking over New England's taste-buds for the next few months.  As I sip on my pumpkin spiced coffee, I am not complaining one bit! 


Come each fall, I stock pile cans of pumpkin puree in my pantry.  It is just too hard to find this fall staple any other season, and I cannot get enough of it in my oatmeal, smoothies, and baked goods.  With a great nutritional compositions, pumpkins are loaded with carotenoids which prevent premature aging, infections, and cardiovascular diseases.  Pumpkins are also rich in vitamin A, C, potassium and magnesium, making this fall produce a healthy addition to any recipe.   Feeling a bit ambitious, I decided to test the versatility of a can of pumpkin puree in a savory lasagna.  The verdict:  pumpkin puree has yet to disappoint me.

Pumpkin, Sausage, and Sage Lasagna (Serves 8)

  • 1 package of whole wheat lasagna noodles
  • 2 TBSP. of olive oil
  • 4 gloves of minced garlic
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 15 oz. can of pumpkin puree
  • 2 large links of sweet Italian chicken sausage, casings removed
  • 2 TBSP. of fresh sage, chopped
  • 2 cups of part skim ricotta cheese
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese

 

  • Cook the lasagna noodles according the package directions
  • Heat oil in a medium sized skillet, over medium high heat, add the garlic and onions
  • Saute the garlic and onions, when they begin to sweat and become translucent, add the chicken sausage and sage.  Using a spatula, be sure to break the chicken sausage up into "crumbles"
  • Once chicken sausage is cooked through, add to a mixing bowl
  • Add the pumpkin puree and ricotta cheese to the sausage and combine with the two egg whites
  • Make sure lasagna noodles are drained and dry and place on the bottom of a greased baking dish
  • Cover the noodles with 1/4 of the cheese and pumpkin mixture
  • Repeat until all the filling and noodles have been used
  • Top with mozzarella cheese and cover with aluminum foil
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes
  • With 5 minutes remaining, remove the foil and place under the broiler until cheese becomes brown and bubbly


Nutrition:

  • Calories:  361
  • Carbohydrates: 45 grams
  • Fat:  14 grams
  • Protein:  20 grams
  • Fiber:  8 grams
  • Calcium:  28 grams

 

For more healthy twists, tips, and tricks on renovating typically unhealthy recipes, check out www.innocentindulgences.com. 

Pem McNerney (Editor) October 7, 2012 at 01:59 pm
Taylor, this looks great! Can't wait to try it! Thanks!
Taylor Grant Greenberg October 8, 2012 at 07:32 am
Thanks! I haven't been able to stop eating it! Definitely a new fall favorite! Can't wait to share some more recipes soon!
Pem McNerney (Editor) October 8, 2012 at 11:03 am
So how do you use pumpkin in oatmeal? That sounds interesting ...
Kim Aliczi October 8, 2012 at 01:44 pm
I will be making this - looks delish! Thanks for sharing! One note I will share with those making pumpkin recipes - making your own pumpkin puree is super easy, much cheaper than the stuff in a can, and you can freeze it for use later! http://dumbblondeinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-prep-and-cook-large-field.html
CT Youth Mentoring & Coaching October 8, 2012 at 02:05 pm
Fall is great for delicious foods! Anyone know of any healthy and fun recipes teenagers would enjoy for Halloween?
Kim Aliczi October 8, 2012 at 02:20 pm
Since I have 3 teens, I'm hoping this lasagna will fit the bill! :-)
CT Youth Mentoring & Coaching October 8, 2012 at 02:41 pm
Haunted Grave Yard cake and chocolate spider cookies sound really fun for teens if you're looking for desert! https://www.facebook.com/pages/CT-Youth-Mentoring-Coaching/317373844980942?ref=hl
Pem McNerney (Editor) October 8, 2012 at 03:55 pm
Those look great!
Taylor Grant Greenberg October 8, 2012 at 07:59 pm
I simply stir in a few spoonfuls of the puree with some brown sugar, dash of cinnamon and nutmeg, and some dried cranberries and walnuts or pecans...such a perfect fall breakfast!
Taylor Grant Greenberg October 8, 2012 at 08:00 pm
This is one of my favorite (and cutest recipes) Jack-o-Lantern Stuffed Peppers... http://innocentindulgences.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-state-of-mind.html
Kästle Olson April 30, 2013 at 12:22 am
Super tasty! I used some homemade Pumpkin puree that I froze, cottage cheese, and a whole thing of fresh Sage that I just sprinkled over each layer. Also, I accidentally forgot the egg. It turned out great though! Will definitely make this again.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Madison Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Ed Sutcliffe June 19, 2013 at 01:19 pm
am I a bad parent when we get 3 feet of snow and I play with my kids outside, make a snow fort andRead More wait for mom to come outside and surprise her with snowballs? Mom smiles and and screams with excitement and joins in on the fun. whats the difference between that and water balloons? WOW find something else to write about and let kids have FUN..
Matt June 19, 2013 at 01:36 pm
I'd also like to point out that this has been going on for about 20 years. And for those 20 years,Read More everyone enjoys it. And for those 20 years, everyone knows if you don't want to participate, you can walk around it. And for those 20 years, nobody has ever complained. And it is clearly not bullying. Though that is a nice attempt by the author to use a dramatic buzz word to exaggerate something.
Stephanie Gerrish June 19, 2013 at 02:00 pm
I don't think it should be a problem if kids who did not want anything to do with did not get forcedRead More into being involved. But matt.. I defiantly has not been going on for 20 years. I was class of 2000 and don't recall a water balloon fight other than at Sr picnic