Creamy Chicken Pumpkin and Ricotta Lasagna: The Ultimate Easy & Healthy Comfort Food

Chicken Pumpkin and Ricotta Lasagna is the perfect blend of creamy, cheesy, and savory, offering a delightful twist on a classic comfort food. This recipe is not only incredibly delicious but also thoughtfully designed to be low in fat, making it an ideal choice for a quick, easy, and satisfying meal that a hungry family will absolutely adore.

There’s something inherently comforting about pasta that simply melts my heart. From classic Spaghetti Bolognese and vibrant Basil Pesto Chicken Spaghetti to the rich indulgence of Creamy Chicken Carbonara, the possibilities for delightful flavors and textures are truly endless. But today’s culinary adventure took me on a journey that left me utterly speechless, almost making me weak at the knees after just one taste!

This lasagna isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. Imagine that moment when the cheese begins to melt, stretching in long, irresistible strings. It’s a joyful symphony of flavors and textures that can brighten even the gloomiest of days. Seriously, this Chicken Pumpkin and Ricotta Lasagna packed such a powerful, delightful punch that it redefined my understanding of comfort food. The combination of sweet, earthy pumpkin and savory pasta has always been a winner in my book, and in this dish, it truly shines.

Why This Chicken Pumpkin and Ricotta Lasagna is a Must-Try

What makes this particular lasagna stand out from the crowd? It’s a harmonious blend of thoughtful ingredient choices, incredible flavor, and surprising ease of preparation. This recipe elevates the humble lasagna to a new level, offering both indulgence and a lighter profile.

The Magic of Double Cheese & Creamy Texture

We’re talking about double the cheese, double the flavor! The combination of creamy ricotta and gooey mozzarella is simply divine. This pairing creates an indulgent, restaurant-quality experience right in your own kitchen. The ricotta, in particular, contributes a beautiful, velvety texture that perfectly complements the rich pumpkin mash-up. Every bite is a delightful fusion of sweet, savory, and undeniably creamy. This isn’t just a pasta dish; it’s a celebration of textures and tastes.

A Lighter, Healthier Take on Lasagna

One of the brilliant aspects of this recipe is its lighter profile. Instead of the traditional heavy meat sauces, we opt for lean ground chicken, providing a wholesome protein source without the excess fat. Furthermore, by using only six lasagna sheets for an entire pan, we also achieve a lower-carb version of this beloved dish. I personally vouch for spelt lasagna sheets, which offer a nutty flavor and added nutritional benefits compared to traditional white pasta. They hold up beautifully, absorbing the delicious sauces and contributing to the overall fantastic texture of the lasagna.

Quick, Easy, and Family-Friendly: A Lifesaver for Busy Schedules

If you’ve followed my culinary adventures for any length of time, you’ll know my unwavering love for quick, easy, and simple recipes. This isn’t born out of laziness, but rather a necessity that comes with managing a bustling household. With three children and a wonderful husband (who, let’s be honest, often require as much attention as the kids!), by the time I finally get home, I desperately need meals that are both delicious and incredibly straightforward to prepare.

This Chicken Pumpkin and Ricotta Lasagna perfectly fits that bill. I had this dish assembled and ready for the oven in about 10 minutes – no exaggeration! The minimal prep time is a true blessing, especially when time is of the essence. And the payoff? Absolutely worth every minute of oven baking, with its glorious, cheesy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The light ricotta distributed throughout the layers creates an unparalleled creaminess that truly melts in your mouth, while the lean ground chicken offers a refreshing and lighter alternative to traditional beef. It’s a hearty meal without feeling heavy, making it ideal for any night of the week.

Choosing Your Ingredients for Peak Flavor and Health

Quality ingredients are the foundation of any great dish, and this lasagna is no exception. For the chicken, I highly recommend sourcing freshly ground chicken breast directly from your butcher. Asking them to grind it ensures you’re getting 1000% pure, lean meat, free from unnecessary additives. You can genuinely taste the difference in the final product – it’s succulent, flavorful, and perfectly complements the other rich ingredients.

When selecting your pumpkin, look for varieties like butternut squash or Jap (Kent) pumpkin, known for their sweet, dense flesh. These pumpkins roast beautifully and lend a natural sweetness to the lasagna that balances the savory chicken and tangy tomato. For the cheese, don’t shy away from light ricotta and mozzarella; they still deliver on flavor and melt beautifully, just with fewer calories.

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Meal

This lasagna is hearty enough to be a standalone meal, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides to create a truly memorable spread. Imagine serving it up with a few slices of crispy, cheesy garlic bread on the side, perfect for soaking up any extra sauce. Alternatively, a warm bowl of light and creamy Cauliflower Soup or a fresh, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette would provide a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the lasagna. No matter how you choose to serve it, this is the kind of satisfying meal that will leave everyone wanting seconds, or even thirds!

Tips for the Perfect Lasagna

• Don’t skimp on sautéing: Ensure your onions, garlic, carrots, pumpkin, and mushrooms are properly softened and browned before adding the chicken. This builds the foundational flavors for your sauce.
• Break up the chicken: When cooking the ground chicken, use a spoon or spatula to break it up into fine crumbles. This ensures even cooking and distribution throughout the lasagna.
• Even layers are key: Distribute the sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella evenly across each layer. This ensures a consistent flavor and texture in every bite.
• Resting is crucial: After baking, let the lasagna stand for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set, preventing them from sliding apart and ensuring clean, beautiful slices.

Explore More Pasta Recipe Inspiration!

If this Chicken Pumpkin and Ricotta Lasagna has sparked your love for creative pasta dishes, you’re in luck! Here are a few more delightful recipes to inspire your next meal:

• Spinach Ricotta Manicotti (Cannelloni): Another cheesy, creamy favorite, perfect for spinach and ricotta lovers.
• Turkey, Sweet Potato and Kale Cannelloni: A nutritious and flavorful combination that’s both hearty and healthy.
• Sausage Eggplant Lasagna With Ricotta Pesto: A robust and aromatic lasagna that’s packed with Mediterranean flavors.
• Spinach and Ricotta Zucchini Cannelloni: A lighter, low-carb option that swaps pasta for fresh zucchini.

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Chicken Pumpkin and Ricotta Lasagna

By

Karina

Prep Time:

10 minutes
mins

Cook Time:

40 minutes
mins

Total Time:

50 minutes
mins

Servings:
8

Chicken Pumpkin and Ricotta Lasagna is cheesy and low in fat! The perfect quick and easy meal to throw together for a hungry family!

Ingredients 

 

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  tablespoon
  garlic olive oil

• 
  ▢
  
  
  3
  cloves
  garlic
  minced, or 3 teaspoons minced garlic

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  medium
  onion
  roughly chopped

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  medium
  carrot
  roughly diced

• 
  ▢
  
  
  4
  cups
  pumpkin
  peeled and finely chopped

• 
  ▢
  
  
  2
  cups
  sliced mushrooms

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  medium
  zucchini
  sliced or chopped

• 
  ▢
  
  
  2
  lbs
  lean ground chicken mince

• 
  ▢
  
  
  6
  leaves
  fresh basil
  roughly chopped or torn

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  can
  condensed tomato soup

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  tablespoon
  Vegeta or any other vegetable stock powder

• 
  ▢
  
  
  6
  sheets
  wholemeal, spelt or whole grain lasagna sheets

• 
  ▢
  
  
  9
  oz
  light ricotta cheese

• 
  ▢
  
  
  17
  oz
  grated light Mozzarella

Instructions 

• Preheat the oven to 200C | 390F. Heat the oil in a large sized pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and panfry until onion is transparent (1-2 minutes).
• Add the carrots, mushrooms and zucchini, pan frying until the carrot and pumpkin have softened.
• Add the chicken, and cook stirring to break up the meat until the chicken has browned
• Stir through Basil, remove from heat and set aside.
• To assemble lasagna: spray a large oven proof baking dish with nonstick spray and wipe excess over with a paper towel
• Spoon about 1 1/ 2 cups of chicken sauce around the base of the pan.
• Arrange 3 sheets on top and about 1 1/2 cups of sauce again. Spoon half the ricotta evenly over the sauce and half the mozzarella cheese.
• Repeat to create another layer with the 3 remaining lasagna sheets; the remaining sauce; remaining ricotta and mozzarella cheese.
• Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and change the oven setting to grill/broil on medium heat to brown the top. Remove from oven and let stand for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Once out of the oven, let stand for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving to stop the layers from immediately sliding apart.

Nutrition

Serving:
1
g

|

Calories:
531
kcal

|

Carbohydrates:
34
g

|

Protein:
44
g

|

Fat:
25
g

|

Saturated Fat:
11
g

|

Polyunsaturated Fat:
3
g

|

Monounsaturated Fat:
9
g

|

Trans Fat:
0.1
g

|

Cholesterol:
169
mg

|

Sodium:
952
mg

|

Potassium:
1.333
mg

|

Fiber:
2
g

|

Sugar:
8
g

|

Vitamin A:
6.852
IU

|

Vitamin C:
17
mg

|

Calcium:
599
mg

|

Iron:
3
mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this? Leave a comment below!