Butternut Squash Casserole – The Huge Man’s World ®

This butternut squash casserole takes casseroles to the subsequent degree. Topped with cheese and crispy breadcrumbs, every mouthful boasts a wealthy taste and contrasting textures. 

Let’s speak about cozy and comforting casseroles utilizing seasonal produce.

I really like Fall as a result of it means we’ve an abundance of pumpkins and squash. Whereas 99% of our recipes are for the sweeter issues, I truly want to make use of them in additional savory dishes.

When roasted, butternut squash caramelizes and yields essentially the most tender and candy vegetable. Whereas scrumptious by itself, we elevate it by making it the star ingredient in our straightforward butternut squash casserole recipe.

Desk of Contents

1. Why this recipe works
2. Components wanted
3. The right way to make a butternut squash casserole 
4. Recipe suggestions and variations
5. Serving options
6. Storage directions
7. Extra casserole recipes to strive
8. Often requested questions
9. Butternut Squash Casserole

Why this recipe works

• Might be served as a major dish or aspect dish. Like a zucchini casserole, the great thing about this dish is that it really works as each a aspect dish or the principle course it itself. After all, it’s a must-make for the vacation season!
• Simple to make forward. I prefer to prep this casserole over the weekend and hold it within the fridge for the week forward. It retains very well, and it makes dinnertime a breeze.
• Stuffed with textures and taste. You get the tenderness of the squash, the melty cheese, the creaminess within the sauce, and the crispy breadcrumbs. It’s barely candy and savory, and let’s be actual; nobody can resist one thing with cheese.

Components wanted

This squash casserole recipe may be very easy and makes use of on a regular basis elements that you simply in all probability have in your kitchen always. Right here’s every part you’ll want: 

• Butternut squash. Chopped into bite-sized items. Discard any seeds or sinew, and remember to take away the pores and skin.
• Onion and garlic. Aromatics which might be important for taste.
• Spinach. I want utilizing frozen spinach and thawing it for comfort, however should you’d want to make use of contemporary spinach, go for the English selection.  
• Heavy cream. To combine with the spinach and creates a wealthy and creamy sauce, and in addition helps to bind the filling collectively.
• Cheese. I used parmesan and gruyere, however use any full-flavored cheese you want.
• Breadcrumbs. To create a golden crispy topping. I want utilizing panko breadcrumbs, however the usual variety works simply tremendous.
• Salt and pepper. To style. 
• Butter. To grease the baking dish and cook dinner the onion. 
• Olive oil. To roast the squash beforehand.
• Recent thyme. To serve. 

The right way to make a butternut squash casserole 

The key to the creamy texture of this squash casserole is roasting the butternut first. For such a powerful wanting dish, you’ll love how foolproof it’s to make.

Roast the butternut squash: Begin by chopping the butternut squash into cubes. In a mixing bowl, combine the squash cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Switch onto a big baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes till tender. Take away the squash from the oven and set it apart. 

Make the casserole base: Add a tablespoon of butter to a non-stick pan and place it over medium warmth, then add the onions and cook dinner for five minutes earlier than including the garlic.

Now, drain the defrosted spinach to do away with the surplus liquid. Add the spinach to the pan and cook dinner with onion and garlic for a couple of minutes. Begin including the heavy cream one tablespoon at a time and cook dinner for five minutes till the sauce thickens. As soon as that’s finished, fold via the roasted squash.

Put together the breadcrumb topping: Mix the breadcrumbs with room-temperature butter in a small bowl and whisk nicely. 

Assemble: Switch the butternut squash combination into the baking dish. Sprinkle with grated gruyere and parmesan cheese. Give the casserole a light-weight stir and add the breadcrumb topping. 

Bake: Lastly, bake the squash casserole for 10 to fifteen minutes, or till the cheese is effervescent and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Recipe suggestions and variations

• Reduce the butternut squash into even items in order that they bake evenly. This ensures that the squash casserole is mushy and tender all through. 
• Though barely extra time consuming, shred the cheese by hand as a substitute of utilizing the pre-shredded variety. Not solely does it soften higher, however it additionally doesn’t clump up.
• Use a big baking dish (at the least 9 x 13 inches) to make sure every part cooks evenly and fully. Butternut squash additionally releases further liquid as soon as baked, so baking it in a extra shallow container helps this dish’s total taste and texture.
• Add bacon or finely chopped pancetta to the casserole so as to add further protein and a punch of taste. That is truly a standard addition as a result of *some* relations can’t admire a meatless meal.
• Use a mixture of spices to alter up the flavour, like cinnamon, cumin, and nutmeg. I really like so as to add some warmth, both within the type of purple pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.

Serving options

If I’m serving this casserole as a major dish, I are likely to hold the edges on the heartier aspect to compensate. Mashed potatoes, roasted root greens, and mac and cheese are all stable choices.

I want serving this butternut casserole as a aspect dish to some vacation mains, like a turkey tenderloin or spatchcock turkey.

Storage directions

To retailer: Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge. The casserole might be good for 3 to five days. 

To freeze: Place parts of the casserole in a shallow container and retailer it within the freezer for as much as 6 months.

To Reheat: One of the best ways to reheat a casserole is by utilizing the oven. Put the casserole leftovers into an oven-safe dish and reheat for 15-20 minutes lined with foil. Take away the foil and bake for a number of extra minutes to get the highest crispy. You can too micrwave it in case you are in a pinch.

Extra casserole recipes to strive

Often requested questions