Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Step 2

Peel, remove seeds and cut butternut squash into roughly 1/2 inch slabs or slices, any size or direction will work just as long as they are 1/2 inch thick.

Step 3

Cook sausage with olive oil until mostly cooked.

Step 4

Add water, spaghetti sauce, garlic and Italian seasonings to the sausage and simmer for a few minutes.

Step 5

Take a casserole dish - 9 x 13 inch or 12 x 8 will work too.

Step 6

Spoon about 1/2 of a cup of sauce and meat mixture on the bottom of the pan.

Step 7

Layer the butternut squash pieces across the pan until you've created a layer.

Step 8

Lay down 1/2 cup ricotta cheese, followed by more sauce, optional tomato slices and roughly 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese.

Step 9

Repeat that sequence again for another layer, starting with the butternut squash and ending with mozzarella cheese.

Step 10

Top with parmesan cheese to finish.

Step 11

Bake for 1 hour.

Step 12

Remove from heat and let cool slightly before eating.