1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into thin disks or slices

Olive oil (about 2 Tbs. enough to saute)

1 lb. Italian turkey sausage

1 lb. ground beef

1 bell pepper. chopped

1 small onion, chopped

1-2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 C. mushrooms, chopped

1 Tbs. Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

sea salt and pepper to taste

4 oz. chopped roated red peppers

2 14 oz. cans roasted tomatoes

1 8 oz. can “no salt added” tomato sauce

Brown meat and drain excess fat.  In a separate pan or pot saute onion, bell pepper and garlic in olive oil, about 5 minutes.  Add mushrooms and seasonings, saute about 3 minutes.  Add red peppers, tomatoes and sauce.  Reduce heat to low and simmer 15-30 minutes.  You can either mix with the meat or layer seperate.  Spread about one ladle of sauce on bottom 9×13 baking dish or pan.  Layer squash first then meat, sauce, finishing with sauce on top (should have at least 2 complete layers).  Cover with foil and bake in a 400 degree oven for 1 hour, remove foil and bake additional 30 minutes.  Let dish sit for about 15 minutes before cutting or serving.

**NOTE – this sauce is also great with spaghetti squash. topping your pizza or just by itself.