Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

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Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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This easy, old-fashioned Squash Casserole recipe is filled with butternut squash, warm spices, melty cheese, and a panko breadcrumb topping to make the coziest side dish. The ingredients all bake together into a deliciously creamy texture, with the perfect amount of crunch on top. It’s a great comfort dish for Thanksgiving and holidays!

Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

What’s in this Squash Casserole Recipe?

Thin pieces of butternut squash are baked in a savory and cheesy sauce, then topped with crunchy breadcrumbs to create an easy casserole side dish!

  • Butternut Squash: This winter squash has a sweet and nutty flavor that complements the creamy, cheesy sauce .
  • Unsalted Butter: Helps the veggies cook without burning, and adds rich flavor.
  • Onion: Adds a sweet and earthy flavor.
  • Salt + Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
  • Garlic: Adds an earthy flavor and a pungent aroma.
  • Nutmeg: Adds a touch of warming spice to deepen the flavor of the sauce.
  • Sage: Adds a fresh and herbaceous flavor.
  • Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce creamy.
  • Cheese: Adds rich cheesy flavor and makes the sauce thick and creamy.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: Add a bit of crunch to the dish.

Pro Tip: Cut the squash into thin pieces so that it cooks through completely in the oven.

Variations on Squash Casserole

You can make this butternut squash casserole with any winter squash, including buttercup, Hubbard, sugar pumpkin, and acorn squash. Feel free to get creative and use what you have available!

Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

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Is it necessary to peel butternut squash before cooking?

You don’t have to peel the squash but it’s recommended. I prefer it peeled for this particular recipe.

Is there a trick to peeling butternut squash?

Yes, there are lots of tips and tricks to peeling this oddly-shaped winter squash. Follow my guide for how to cut and peel butternut squash for tips!

Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (5)

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover butternut squash casserole tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 20-30 minutes, or until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Freeze squash casserole tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

This delicious winter squash casserole is a great side dish for Thanksgiving, or any holiday you’re celebrating. It pairs well with Thanksgiving turkey, brown sugar glazed ham or honey baked ham, and beef tenderloin.

Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

Recipe

Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe

4.38 from 8 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 20 minutes minutes

Cook: 45 minutes minutes

Total: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

Serves8

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This winter squash casserole is herb-y, creamy, cozy, and all kinds of delicious. It's the perfect side dish when you need something comforting.

Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (8)

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Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided (½ stick)
  • ½ onion chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2½-3 pound butternut squash peeled and sliced into thin pieces
  • cups freshly shredded white cheddar cheese divided in thirds
  • ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet set over medium heat.

    4 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • Add in the onion, salt, and pepper, sautéing until softened.

    ½ onion, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

  • Stir in the garlic, nutmeg, and chopped sage and cook for another minute.

    2 cloves garlic, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage

  • Stir in the heavy cream, and let the mixture simmer for a couple minutes. Taste, and add salt if needed.

    1 cup heavy cream

  • Layer half of the butternut squash at the bottom of a greased casserole dish, followed by ⅓ of the cream mixture, followed by ½ cup of cheese. Repeat this process 2 more times, but leave the remaining ½ cup of cheese off.

    2½-3 pound butternut squash, 1½ cups freshly shredded white cheddar cheese

    Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (9)

  • Cover the casserole dish with foil, and bake for 30 minutes

  • Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and combine it with the breadcrumbs.

    ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs

  • Remove the foil, and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese and buttered breadcrumbs over the casserole.

  • Return the casserole to the oven, and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

    Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

Storage:Store butternut squash casserole tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 322kcal (16%) Carbohydrates: 22g (7%) Protein: 8g (16%) Fat: 24g (37%) Saturated Fat: 15g (94%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 6g Trans Fat: 0.2g Cholesterol: 70mg (23%) Sodium: 472mg (21%) Potassium: 571mg (16%) Fiber: 3g (13%) Sugar: 5g (6%) Vitamin A: 15893IU (318%) Vitamin C: 31mg (38%) Calcium: 252mg (25%) Iron: 1mg (6%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (12)

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Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (13)

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

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Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

Why is my squash casserole watery? ›

Salting and sautéing the squash before baking helps to remove excess moisture and prevents the casserole from becoming watery.

Do you have to peel butternut squash before baking? ›

It's important to note that while many people choose to remove butternut squash skin (and this is best practice for soup making, where you want smooth results), you can 100% eat roasted butternut squash skin. Slice butternut squash into crescents and roast it with the skin on.

Will butternut squash soften in the oven? ›

Cook Whole in the Oven

Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and place flesh side down on a foil lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 F for 30 to 40 minutes. The squash will be soft and tender when it has cooked through.

How to cook butternut squash Martha Stewart? ›

Halve butternut squash lengthwise; scoop out seeds. Place cut sides up in a roasting pan (to help it sit level, slice a thin strip from skin sides). Fill each cavity with butter and pure maple syrup; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Roast until fork-tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

How do you keep butternut squash from getting watery? ›

Mistake # 1: It's watery

After slicing the squash, salt the slices and place them on a paper-towel lined baking sheet. Let it sit for 30 minutes so that the salt can draw out some of its water. Use the paper-towel to dab off any excess moisture before proceeding with the recipe.

How do you make a casserole less runny? ›

Simply whisk equal parts butter and flour together. Then, roll the thick paste into little teaspoon-sized balls. Add one ball to your casserole at a time, waiting about a minute before adding another one, until you get the right thickness.

Can dogs eat butternut squash? ›

Generally, butternut squash is safe to feed to most pooches, unless your vet has advised otherwise. As a guide, we would recommend feeding small dogs no more than 1 or 2 teaspoons of butternut squash, whilst bigger dogs can eat up to 3 or 4 tablespoons of butternut squash.

Can dogs eat squash? ›

If you're looking for a tasty, low-calorie addition to your dog's diet, you're in luck: Dogs can eat squash safely. In fact, this garden staple has many potential benefits when prepared correctly and given in moderation.

Can dogs eat cooked butternut squash skin? ›

Should I peel it before feeding it to my dog? No, dogs can't eat the skin of a butternut squash as it's hard, which makes it difficult for them to chew and digest. Butternut squash skin can be a choking hazard and may cause blockages in the gut if eaten in sufficient quantities.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

Can you eat butternut squash raw? ›

That's right, you can eat butternut squash raw (yep, we said it). Raw butternut squash is carrot-like and holds up well in crunchy salads and slaws. If opting for raw squash over cooked squash, start by peeling away the tough outer skin (FYI, you can eat the skin when it's cooked.

Why is my butternut squash mushy? ›

Although butternut squash can keep for months, it will eventually go bad if not used. You will know your squash is bad if there are soft, mushy spots or if once cut open, the color is extremely dull or if the flesh is spotty, mushy or dry to the point it is pulling away from the skin, then toss it.

How to cook butternut squash Paula Deen? ›

directions
  1. In a medium saucepan combine squash, onions, carrots,broth, and salt. Simmer, uncovered, until squash is very tender, about 40 minutes.
  2. Puree soup in a blender or food processor with the butter. Whisk cream into soup. Serve in wide, shallow bowls with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

How to cook butternut squash in the oven Jamie Oliver? ›

Method. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Wash and dry the whole squash, then place on a baking tray. Pierce once or twice with the tip of a sharp knife, then bake in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until golden and very soft.

What to pair with butternut squash? ›

Serve your butternut squash with one of these other fall-flavored chicken recipes: Rosemary Chicken Thighs with Apples or Maple Dijon Chicken and Vegetables. Pasta. Round out your favorite pasta recipes from Baked Turkey Meatballs to Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff with this healthy vegetable side.

How do you fix watery squash? ›

Use a knife to cut the seeds and pulp from the center of the rings. Place the rings on a wire rack set inside a sheet pan and salt the cut side on both sides of each ring. Let sit for about 20 minutes. Once 20 minutes have passed, remove the excess moisture from the squash with a paper towel.

How do you thicken watery squash? ›

I get rid of unwanted liquid in squash by mashing it and letting it drain in a fine meshed sieve until it is the consistency I want. Works like a charm.

How do you thicken runny squash? ›

Fill the ice cube trays with your pureed squash. Freeze. Use the cubes to thicken anything you'd like. Use as many cubes as necessary to achieve your desired texture.

Why is my casserole runny? ›

To prevent a soupy casserole, be sure to fully thaw any frozen vegetables in a colander over a bowl, and pat dry, squeeze excess moisture out of greens like spinach or chard, and quickly precook watery fresh vegetables like onions, mushrooms or squashes just until they release their moisture.

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