Description
This Butternut Squash Casserole is the ultimate autumn comfort food, blending the natural sweetness of roasted squash with earthy kale, crisp apples, and crunchy pecans. Perfectly balanced between sweet and savory, this elegant dish features a rich, cheesy foundation and a satisfying toasted breadcrumb topping. It is a reliable, crowd-pleasing side dish that brings a warm, cozy feeling to any holiday gathering or family dinner, making it an essential addition to your seasonal cooking repertoire.
Ingredients
1 (4-pound) butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1.5 teaspoons salt, divided
0.5 teaspoon dried sage
0.5 teaspoon paprika
0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup smoked turkey bacon, chopped (halal alternative)
2 cups kale, stems removed and chopped
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup apples, diced
0.25 cup maple syrup
1 cup shredded gruyere or sharp cheddar cheese
0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Toss the butternut squash cubes with olive oil, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, sage, paprika, cinnamon, and nutmeg on a large baking sheet.
Roast the squash for 25-30 minutes until tender and golden brown.
In a skillet, sauté the smoked turkey bacon until crispy; remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, wilt the kale and sauté the diced apples until softened.
In a large bowl, combine the roasted squash, turkey bacon, kale, apples, pecans, and maple syrup.
Transfer the mixture to a greased casserole dish and fold in the shredded cheese.
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Notes
You can prepare the roasted squash and sautéed mixture a day in advance and store in the refrigerator. Add the breadcrumb topping just before baking to maintain maximum crunch.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 50
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 15mg